Catherine the Weal

Andre, Didn't you write an essay, "The Death of Catherine the Weal"? Does this bear on Clute's theory about Severian's mother? Would you care to post your essay? Wes Parsons

Reply: Item #3642999 from URTH at LISTS.BEST.COM@INET03# Wes Parsons, Ah-hem, er, why yes, I =did= write an essay called, "The Death of Catherine the Weal and Other Stories," in direct response to Clute's essay and a similar one by Feeley in "NYRSF" #31 and #32 (1991). It is slated for Clute's book of Wolfe related essays by various people, to be published sometime in the future. Said book has essays by Peter Wright, Jeremy Crampton, Feeley (presumably), and Clute (I hope!), among others. While it is an interesting thought experiment to consider posting the essay, I won't actually post it. For one thing, we have had independent analysis that proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that the essay is difficult to follow on its own; that it presupposes familiarity not only with TBOTNS but also Clute's essay. And I am unanimous in agreeing with that verdict. I really do like Clute's essay. It knocked my socks off and I was under its spell for a while until little cracks began to appear and I determined that I didn't believe it entirely. So I wrote the response. It is a far better thing to come up with a dazzling theory, however flawed, than it is to pick apart someone else's dazzler. Everyone should read Clute's essay. =mantis=