Gene Wolfe: Book of the New Sun

jimb · 04 Feb 1986, 15:32 · from net.sf-lovers.1986.mbox

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From: jimb at ISM780.UUCP
Subject: Re: Gene Wolfe: Book of the New Sun
Date: Tue, 4-Feb-86 10:32:00 EST
Message-ID: <32900037 at ISM780.UUCP>
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
References: <194 at analog.UUCP>

> ...the Book Of The New Sun is too long and complex for your question to
> be answerable outside of an extended thesis (shit, I won't pretend I
> really understand the damn books - they defy that)...
>
> ...Wolfe's awesome scope, his dazzling imagination, his miraculously
> skilled prose...
>
> Gene Wolfe is, quite simply, the best novelist ever to write in the
> science fiction genre.  His prose, his ideas - all of it.  The
> best.  Hands down.
>
> - Michael Krantz

I will straddle the fence (and probably incur anatomical difficulties as a
result).  The first two quotes above I agree with, though I do not associate
myself with some of the snotty tone in the sections I deleted.

As to the third quote, while I find it arguable, it *is* arguable, e.g.,
can't be dismissed out of hand.  The Book of the New Sun is not for plot
readers.  Wolfe's use of plot is almost completely centered on progressive
revelation and illumination of character, that kernel of all good fiction.

TBOTNS is one definition by example of tour de force.  He is using SF
convention and imagery combined with classical literary technique to portray
the life, conflicts, and character development of a fascinating individual in
a fascinating world.

TBOTNS is written with and to a different sensibility than most SF, and like
all literature, you must accept it on its own terms if it is going to "work"
for you.  If you don't, or for whatever reason can't, such is life.
Remember, concerning matters of taste, there is no disputing.  (An aphorism
that antedates my birth by a good couple of millenia.)

			-- from the musings of Jim Brunet

			   ihnp4/ima/ism780B
			   hao/ico/ism780B

	"In any large scale endeavor that has worked to the benefit of
mankind, there has been pain and sacrifice and loss.  We stand now at one of
the pivotal points in history.  We can say "no" to the unknown mysteries of
space, turn our backs, and announce our decline as a civilization.  Or we can
look at the stars, express our grief at the loss of CHALLENGER and its crew,
and then honor their lives by saying, 'We shall continue.'"

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