Gene Wolfe, certain books any good?SF-Lovers

I thought that The Book of the New Sun was one of the most amazing series I have ever read. I am wondering what would be people's recommendations about certain others of his books. Has anyone read the books about the Long Sun or whatever the heck it's called, where people are living on some kind of a generation starship making a long journey? Do they take place in the same world as the Book of the New Sun? Also has anyone read Soldier in the Mist? I have it, but did not buy the sequel Soldier of Arete, because I hadn't read the first one yet. I hope I don't regret that decision now if it is hard to find. In The Book of the New Sun, he showed a terrific grasp of mythology and retelling which makes me suspect that these books might be really good?

Yes, I've read the 'Long Sun' books, they're superb but with an ending I either didn't get at all or just flat out didn't like. However there is apparently a followup series coming so... I'll reserve judgement until then. But its certainly a great series.

In my opinion, no.

I loved 'Soldier of the Mist' and, like you, cannot find 'Soldier of Arete', which is a pity. I liked this best of the all Wolfe's books that I've read. The historical grounding helps a lot, it makes it a lot easier to catch on to whats happening, something that often doesn't happen when I read a Wolfe book until I've already missed a lot...! David Kennedy D.Kennedy at Queens-Belfast.ac.uk

Wolfe is also a remarkable short story writer, and I recommend all his short story collections very very highly. Rich Horton

Soldier of Arete was remaindered. I've seen a number of copies around in remainder stores in the last few months. It's also moderately available second hand.

One could also mention The Fifth Head of Cerberus, which was his second published novel (1972), and already a masterpiece. It is made of three closely related stories, about power, cloning and extraterrestrial anthropology (yes !), but to explain how the stories are related would clearly spoil your pleasure...

Yes, unmistakably, but very obliquely. The connection could be severed and not significantly alter the Long Sun, as nearly as I can tell, although it was a great little shiver when the connection was revealed. Kevin J. Maroney