The Novels of Gene Wolfe

Last updated September 13, 1998

Gene Wolfe is a somewhat erratic genius. For me, sometimes he writes stories of deep beauty and intelligence, other times he writes stories that escape me completely. Wolfe has writen many books, more than I have read, along with many short stories. He says that he writes for at least one hour every day, no matter what.

Wolfe stands in a very strange place, some of his work seems to fit neither in the relm of fantasy, nor does it fit comfortably in the world of science fiction.

His language is what sets him apart from his contemporaries. He uses many rare and unusual words. He claims that he does not invent words, but they may as well have been invented considering how rarely used the words are. Some people may find his language offputting, I view it as part of the enchantment he casts upon his readers.

The Shadow of the Torturer Series
There are four books in this series: The Shadow of the Torturer, The Claw of Conciliator, The Sword the Lictor, and The Citidel of the Autarch.

By turns beautiful, bizzare, unsettling, deep, wise, and profoundly moving. There are four books in the original series (one was added later). The series was concieved and writen almost to completion before the first book was published (this is very rare in the field, and comendable).

Of the books the first is wonderful. I found the second the most bizzare, nightmareish in places. The third book (The Sword the Lictor) is the best of the series. It has some moments in it that are astounding, that live within me to this day. The story of Severian's journey through the empty lands, especially his night under the stars, the story of the resurected tyrant, they are like dreams or visions. The last book (The Citadel of Autarch) contains a number of facinating stories within it, but they are not related to the main plot or the main character. Still, the ending of the book, with Severian searching through the sands is a fitting end to this great series.

These four books represent the finest writing of the 1980s. If a catagory must be selected for this series (and all catagories are reductions of the true nature of the thing) I say it is fantasy, the best fantasy of the 1980s.

Nightside of the Long Sun
These are four books: Nightside of the Long Sun, Lake of the Long Sun, Calde of the Long Sun, and Exodus from the Long Sun.

Though these books are set in the same "universe" as the Shadow of the Torturer series, the Long Sun books feel more like science fiction to me. This is a hard series to understand much less enjoy. Not only are we, the readers, placed in a strange place, but no one spends any time trying to explain what is going on. In a way this reminded me of C. J. Cherryh's writting style (explain nothing beyond what the characters in the story would explain to each other). However Gene takes this a step further by having very smart characters who don't need to have something explained to them before they understand. Usually it is just look that reveals the information to the character. The reader only finds out long after the fact.

Overall, I would not rate this series a success. It started out oddly, became slightly comprehensible in book 2, then became more and more bizare through book 3 and finally book 4 where everything was wraped up in a most unsatisfactory fashion.

Parts of the book seemed like Gene was playing mind-games with the readers (which I DON'T enjoy), other parts seemed hastily put together (especially the ending of book 4). Why some scenes were described in great detail while others weren't was never explained to my satisfaction and quite frankly, I didn't like being jerked around.

Soldier in the Mist, Soldier of Aerte

These are "historical" fictions, though they feel much like his Shadow of the Torturer series. I liked these well enough, the first book (Mist) more than the second. I have to say that he has not outfaced Xenophon's Anabasis (nor do I think he intended to). If you want to read a book that shows you what a strange world the ancient Greeks lived in, read the Anabasis.

Other Books by Gene Wolfe

Castle of the Otter. This a collection of short works based on the writing of the Shadow of the Torturer series. I think these are all non-fiction. If you fall in love with the Shadow series, this collection provides some useful insights into Gene's mind (as well as some useful definitions of the hard to find words.

The Urth of the New Sun. This is nominally a sequel to the Shadow of the Torturer series. I was very disapointed with this book and I wish Gene hadn't written the book because I feel that it will detract from the grandure of his mangum opus with which it is associated.

The Isle of Doctor Death and Other Stories, Gene Wolfe's Book of Days. These are both short story collections. Gene writes very good short stories. Most have real bite to them, ironic, even somewhat paranoid. Generally they are not fantasy but rather classic science fiction.

Castleview. I found this novel to be largely unintelligable. It told a strang story in a fractured way.

Devil in the Forest. A very early work by Gene. I don't like it much. The story is too dark and unplesant for my taste. Still, others whome I respect like this novel a great deal.

This goes to a very good web site about Gene Wolfe.

Next author: Mark Helprin