blood and despair

Patri10629 · 11 Jan 1997, 21:35 · from whorl-v0001.mbox · original

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From: Patri10629 at aol.com
Subject: Re: (whorl) blood and despair
Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 21:35:02
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[Posted from Whorl, the mailing list for Gene Wolfe's Book of the Long Sun]

Well said, Henry Rathvon (regarding human futility versus divine plans) and
Peter Cash, esp. re: Hyacinth's probable spying. The list of her bedmates
(all high-ranking officials)  is convincing enough for me. But the idea that
a Matriarchy wouldn't trust a man (Crane) to run the covert ops, sinks it.
Poor Silk. Sad Good Silk.

Anyone else get the feeling that there are fathoms of mystery yet unplumbed
in these books? Every time I re read I'm stunned by how Wolfe can couch the
most startling revelations in a throwaway bit of dialogue. Examples escape =
me
at the moment. Sorry.

How about Oreb? What a strange loveable bird! But his favorite dish is eyes=
:)
Perhaps he, of all the characters, sees most clearly. Not sure what I mean.
The switch to his POV in CALDE OF THE LONG SUN, I think, is stunning.

And, sorry, I won't expand on how Wolfe annoys me. I'm sure it's rooted in
envy:)

SPOILER WARNING: Tho it's probably too late if you've been reading these
posts for a while.

Wasn't that an amazing moment when suddenly in the middle of a tense
diplomatic discussion around dinner, the narrator reveals himself?

"Then I walked in."

Christ, my jaw literally dropped.

For what it's worth: I review the Long Sun Books in the next issue of SF
EYE--due out, I'm told, "soon". Watch for it. Hope I do these amazing books
justice.

And kudos to all who've joined this enlightening discussion. I hope Gene is
peeking over our shoulders now. Though, he's probably smirking,
thinking--"Dopes. They've missed all the embedded Borges, Kipling, and
Chesterton!" As I did:)=20

Like I said: Annoying:)

Patrick O'Leary
Author of DOOR NUMBER THREE
email: Patri10629 at aol.com
My Homepage: http://users.aol.com/patri10629

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