Sword & Citadel: The Second Half of The Book of the New Sun

Just finished reading the first four books. What follows is a first read impression colored by interpretations by Wright and Aramini here and there:Yeah, it's kinda everything you've heard about it: A puzzle, a religious allegory, a masterpiece, a prank. Some of the religious imagery is immediately apparent. For instance, Typhon tempting Severian with world power in exchange for an oath of allegiance comes straight from the gospel when Jesus is tempted by Satan in the desert with a similar bargain. Others are not so obvious. His friends, Drotte, Roche, Eata, Thecla, Dorcas as well as most major characters, Vodalus, Jolenta etc. are all saint names. These as well as the arcane vocabulary are invitations to the reader to read deeply and explore. This is one of Wolfe's main goals--to get you to stop and think about what you're reading. Yes you can enjoy the read not knowing any saints names. But to the beach reader interested only in a lazy summertime read without much engagement, BotNS may leave you unsatisfied. In fact, even with a deep read I'm left wondering to some extent "what the hell did I just read?" Again, this is Wolfe's intent.To dig deep is to embrace the murky. All through the four books I thought, "I don't get (blank--whether "blank" is Baldanders and Talos or the Autarch, or the Sanguinary Field duel) but what I'm reading has a deeper meaning." Severian is clearly a Christ figure. He resurrects the dead, is tempted by a Satan, endures suffering, and by the end of the read clearly is meant to lift humanity up from a cruel existence. But also, by the end, you wonder what is his motivation? Is he a Christ/hero, successful through his own efforts (aided by God), or is he merely a pawn in a game set in motion by aliens with their own goals and motivations making Severian the recipient of good luck instead of rewards through personal effort and Divine Intervention? This flies in the face of Campbellian/Jungian analysis. And this too is a major goal of Wolfe--to break the mold and formula of what we call "good fiction."Campbell illuminated the hero's quest via Jung. And from that we get cookie cutter heroes from Hercules to Luke Skywalker and everyone in between. Wolfe breaks these Jungian rules to the enjoyment of the reader. And this more than anything points to Wolfe's genius. He knows the rules of good writing. And he knows how to break them while keeping us reading and wanting more.I don't pretend to know every allegory and inference Wolfe makes. And this too, I think, is his intent. While the biblical and classical scholar will understand many of them I think he leads the reader down many dead ends. But these dead ends are no disappointment--they are, in fact, new story elements disguised perhaps as writer's pranks. This too is his intent. After all, not every effort a hero makes is successful and rewarded. A hero (and a reader) experiences dead ends too.But are these pranks real, or are they the product of a reader's ignorance to the larger world of literature? Again, this is Wolfe's invitation to deep reading. He invites you to reread and enjoy again perhaps with a deeper understanding this time. As for me, for now, I'll continue on with Urth of the New Sun and further analysis and interpretation of the Solar Cycle. I may come back to Book of the New Sun later. Maybe I'll see something new and Urth shattering.

Unparalleled, yes. Yet, I must offer a somewhat askew opinion of all four parts of Mr. Wolfe's magnificent series: There is much meandering and often seemingly parenthetical material to these episodes of Severian. Some of them are less than successfully interesting, others seem deliberately obtuse. Yes, Mr. Wolfe can illuminate by misdirection; but sometimes that misdirection is a distraction. In any case, after having read the entire series of four installments or movements - as you prefer to consider them - three times,I must confess that the Sword of The Lictor is, to my mind, perfect. Would that the other three shared the same wealth of plain old-fashioned narrative drive! Superb as the inventiveness, the brilliance of language and writing and overall ambiance of this masterpiece is, there are numerous tiresome stretches. Wolfe's virtue sometimes results in his only vice worth mentioning: over complicated indefiniteness -- he just hates resolution. This poetic openness of style, this opacity that makes New Sun so dreamlike, also can result in an aggravating diffuseness of meaning, as if he is afraid of limiting the story's scope or its resonance -- little chance of that though there is! Which brings me to that fith installment: Urth of The New Sun is the best example of over- mythopoeia, if that is the right word, I have ever seen (until Hyperion). After reading the fourth installment, Citadel of the Autarch, to discover its beautiful but unresolved finale to this long, long journey, I wanted to throw the book against the wall. In fact, I think I did (18 years ago). But after Urth, I vowed never again to let Mr. Wolfe take me on any more quests, or whatever it was! Of course, now I am planning to read The Litany of the Long Sun, so there is hope for me yet. Anyway, be prepared for wonder and beauty and deep, deep imagination...but at a price!

The predecessor to this book had me falling in love with Dorcas, one of the female characters. This one left me feeling a grave loss at her absence.Wolfe has produced an excellently rich world and we accompany a rather unconventional character through it. Severian, a torturers' apprentice, guides us through our own planet- here spelled "Urth"- billions of years in the future as the sun is dying and humanity has advanced, as best I can put it, 'beyond technology.'In his world, humans on Urth live in a ignorant barbarism while the technologies of today and of the future lie around them running their world. Severian is our guide through this world, and the journey is well worth taking- if you can put up with Severian's character.The important thing to keep in mind is that these two books, and their predecessors, are written *by* Severian- Wolfe created Severian as a character, and then that character, in Wolfe's mind, wrote his own memoirs. The record is filled with the quirks of Severian's personality; it is disconnected, as so many lives are. Novels often present us with an unlikely series of events in which the hero continually gets lucky, saves the day just right, and then goes on to keep saving the day in a coherent fashion. Wolfe is well aware that things don't work that way in real life, and they don't work that way when people write memoirs, as Severian is doing. The entire Book of the New Sun is written as an account of Severian's life; he tells us the things that were important to him, and we watch as they happen. This story isn't "How Luke Became a Jedi and None of the Adventures that Occurred Along the Way" but rather "The Life of Severian, A Journeyman of the Order of the Seekers for Truth and Penitence."Severian has adventures. They happen in such an order as to bring him to his final destination. Throughout it, there are side-adventures, needless digressions, unexpected meetings, stories told and stories heard, and unimportant characters encountered. Because that is how life goes.So if you're looking for a true story, a Hero's Journey in the sense that we are used to seeing in our pop literature and movies, this isn't the place to find it. You might have noticed the rambling story in the first two books and assumed it would get more coherent. Not so. This series lacks narrative momentum entirely- you will find yourself engaged while reading it, but might not have much reason to pick it back up once you've put it down.However, if you want to read a fictional memoir about a most interesting person who has some amazing adventures with some fairly good philosophical insights, I think you'll be very pleased. In this series, it is not the destination, but rather the journey, which dominates the mind of the reader. It is not important to make the decisions as to understand them- all of this exposition can get very Buddhist about it, but in the end these books do not center on continuity of adventures but rather the adventures themselves and how they shape Severian. They are truly a different kind of literature- new, fresh, and exciting for their experimentation and their creativity. At times, however, the freshness does work against the story. But I still feel it's well worth it.

This book series spoke to me. While being very personal, this book is about a lonely struggling man of high order which is to say of sterling character and significant ability mentally and physically who scrutinizes his own fallen nature. I like the writing style and interesting language choices. I liked the characters. I like the medieval/futurist sci-fi setting. I like the Yoga Philosophy. Although this book may appeal to Christians who like gritty complex novels, it is closer to Hindu in mindset which in and of it self is a very rare treat for the English reader ready to tackle complexity and philosophic gray areas while being presented life through a partly dreamlike description which if we are to be honest is how life actually occurs in the macro rear view. I like how the character in the book lives through many kinds of dualisms confronting each one with his best foot, as he slowly ascends to his place in the universe. I like how power is shown to be extremely far reaching in the world while internally is extremely ineffective to solve personal dilemmas or obtain one's true desires. In many ways Gene is a unattractive writer because he does not develop strong relationships in the novel, but this also speaks to me due to many happenstance parallels between the book and my life. There is a fatalism there that is overlapped by miracles and opportunities to serve others. There is a holistic factor related to the 'interconnectedness' of things, and that life has a plan especially for our protagonist. If you are ready for something gritty, complex, noble, and surreal this book may be just right.

I really didn't expect to review this book with 5 stars. I struggled reading the first 2 but slowly and surely I was growing fond of the story. It's hard to pinpoint exactly why, but Sword of the Lictor (the 3rd book and first part of this one) clicked with me. It's like like after two books where you see the city and the country (book 1 & 2) you become familiar with the world of Urth and start to enjoy the journey Severian makes through it. And what a journey it is! Especially in Sword of the Lictor. Not only we finally get to see Thrax, the city he was supposed to go since the first book, but we also get to see much more... but I don't want to enter into too much detail here, best if you see for yourself.It's safe to say that you will encounter a much more demanding book here than your typical Sci-fi / Fantasy novel. You will see uncommon words derived from Latin. A good example are the name of army units that resemble those of the Roman Empire, and a lot of these words won't be explained, you will have to get their meaning from the context they are used. Also a lot of things are told indirectly, almost offhand as if they weren't important. The best example would be from the first book, when Severian, without saying it directly, he makes us understand that he is the Autarch and is writing the story from the House Absolute. Be warned that these are slow novels, where the action isn't as important as in other fantasy novels. This is a book that'll make you think and that I recommend you read slowly to enjoy all of the little details about its epic tale.

A masterful work by a masterful story teller -- dangerous because you'll be tempted into fits of obsessive reading all night long even though you have a morning meeting at work (been there, done that).THE GOOD:(*) Somewhat in the first two books, but especially in the last two, the author gives new information about past events changing your interpretation of the story you thought you knew. This is the technique that vaults these books into the realm of good (great?) literature -- towards the end you feel as if you've lived a whole other life because you continually look back and reinterpret seminal events of your (New Sun) "past".(*) Clever stories within stories lend texture and neat insights.(*) As in real life, the meaning of events and information is never totally clear or totally understood -- this again lends one to feel as if one is embedded in another's life (Severian's).THE BAD(*) After awhile, one gets tired of Gene Wolfes' invention and use of archaic language. This "seasoning" gives one the feel of another world, but too much causes indigestion.(*) A tad too many unresolved twists and stories -- can get tedious ("flip flip, on with the plot").(*) A few too many amazing coincidences (does Severian really have to eventually meet every single person he's ever met again?).But, "The Bad" things are mere piffles -- If you want a deeply engrossing escapist read and even a little wisdom along the way such as you find in only a other few books (Tolkin, Dune, Nine Princes in Amber...) this is your book(s).

I have to admit to being slightly lost for words about what to say of the third and fourth Books of the New Sun. I'm apparently not the only one. After reading a few reviews of these novels, it seems there's little substance between enraptured "this justifies the existence of science fiction" and "it's confusing and boring". Those who sing high praises certainly don't try and interpret what is going on, they are content to talk of "staggering scope" and Wolfe's unique genius.The true analysis and discussion has been happening on urth.net since 1997 (and presumably elsewhere before that since the books were published in the 80s) by a dedicated group of fans who have each read the book many times. I poked around in the archives for a few hours, and there's a lot of interesting stuff there, the theory that Nessus is Buenos Aires was interesting, and rang true to me. Dorcas being a vampire I decided I didn't buy, but there was much interesting discussion about blood bats....If it's in the book, it has probably been discussed there.At the end of Shadow and Claw I was full of questions, and although I didn't enjoy the read, I have to admit I was intrigued. This was a complex puzzle with many twisty passageways. By the end of the fourth book some of that feeling of intrigue remained, but I honestly just didn't care that much what happened anymore.Here's a collection of 'ends' of sorts that may or may not be correct (sort of spoilers watch out). So Baldanders is like a reverse Frankenstein who created his own doctor, the Claw is a thorn, or maybe nothing special at all, and whenever you go up or down, or through a corridor there is probably time travel involved. Oh and maybe there are two Severians, or at least a complex time-travel relationship with himself. Great. I understand approximately nothing more.If I was to read it at least two more times I might have a chance. Even Severian/Wolfe tells me to:"Have I told you all I promised? I am aware that at various places in my narrative I have pledged that this or that should be made clear in the knitting up of the store. I remember them all, I am sure, but then I remember so much else. Before you assume that I have cheated you, read again, as I will write again."At least this time I was very aware of what I was getting into. There continued to be plenty of 'autochthons', 'zoanthrops', 'cultelarri', 'deodands' and 'remontados': i.e. ancient english words sprinkled throughout the text that the kindle dictionary was woefully ill-equipped to handle. And the alzabo makes a real-life appearance in a chilling experience where Severian fights it as it speaks with the voices of the family it has just consumed:"More hideous than the speaking of a corpse could ever be, I heard the voice that had called "Open, darling," at the door. It said: "Yes, I am injured. But the pain is nothing much, and I can stand and move as before. You cannot bar me from my family forever." From the mouth of a beast, it was the voice of a stern, stamping, honest man."I had a little chuckle at the blatant Deus Ex Machina call-out of Master Malrubius in a spaceship:"None but the poor playwrights do it, they say, but those who say so forget that it is better to have a power lowered on a rope, and a play that ends well, than to have nothing, and a play that ends badly. Here is our rope - many ropes, and a stout ship too. Will you come aboard?"Another favourite passage of mine was storytime with the Ascian in the field hospital. It seemed straight out of Catch-22.If Wolfe deliberately placed all the clever plot points and hidden references attributed to him by fans, it is an amazing piece of work. Even if he didn't, and his intention was just to create a story that was sufficiently complex and open to interpretation that fans would be analysing it frame by frame like the Zapruder film for decades to come, that's certainly impressive in its own way. Unfortunately it is still a pretty horrible read.2.5 stars.Read more of my reviews at g-readinglist.blogspot.com

Although this wraps up the Book of the New Sun with only a few loose ends, it's not as good as the first half. The fantastic landscapes are still there and, if anything, they become more amazing. I was particularly impressed by the hermitage that exists simultaneously in several time periods. The creatures that inhabit this future Urth are equally fantastic, including the alzabo that absorbs the memories of the people it eats. The scene in which Severian faced the beast was not just creepy but underscored his revulsion when it was mentioned in the first half of "The Book of the New Sun."Unfortunately, the people disappoint. Agia, the vengeful woman who stalked Severian through the first volumes, never makes a final appearance. Dorcus, whose identity was foreshadowed heavily from the time she appeared in the Botanic Garden, played an even more passive role than before - and the final twist in her relationship to Severian made me shake my head. Severian's encounter with the Autarch is anti-climatic compared to his final meeting with the giant Baldanders.Random encounters bring new characters that are pointless to the plot, although I enjoyed the story-telling contest among the wounded soldiers (particularly the Ascian, an Orwellian character brainwashed to speak only in politically-correct aphorisms). On the flip side, Valeria of the Atrium of Time seems somehow important to Severian's story but her role isn't fleshed out. She's a young woman Severian meets prior to his expulsion from the Citadel, and their meeting is the first clue that Severian is/will experience time travel. At the end of the story, Severian makes a point of going to see her. He never explains why nor does he tell the reader anything about their meeting. Was it merely a sexual dalliance like almost all his other meetings with women? Is he spurred to see her because of something he knows as Autarch? Severian is an unreliable narrator, but other such protagonists (including Wolfe's protagonist in "Peace") give the reader enough details to piece together a puzzle.

I paid extra money to buy a hardcover book (circa 50% more honestly), and while it's okay and was delivered rather undamaged, it was:- poorly packed (not a single piece of bubble foil or anything else really, just thrown into a cardboard box, both parcels, that's also why some of the paint came off on the corners of the books)- a bit dirty (some sort of stain that I cleaned up with wet towels. It wouldn't come off under finger)/scratched (one of the books has small kind of damage, looks like it was scratched in the warehouse.- the hardcover is indeed "hardcover", but it's not anything special really. I have seen better ones, but fine. It's not something that I can blame amazon for, but the quality of paper is kind of a joke to me (for the price they want).The chapters have ugly headers, but the book looks okay. It's the matter of "style", although I have seen some pretty books...It's printed in the USA (chinese quality though). I wanted the edition written in English, because this is the author's main language, plus I wanted something else than paperback, because they tend to fall apart quite easily...

I read this years ago, utterly enthralled by it. This is another of the very few books I keep. I pick it up and reread it every few years (this is part of a trilogy packed into two books, whatever). What a different world, what an interesting take on torture. What fascinating characters. And as anyone who knows Wolfe, he writes in layers and layers. That's why I keep rereading it - there is new stuff I missed each time. I would say this is more interesting than Tolkein, but clearly for a more narrow audience as I'm not so sure little kids need to read about flaying someone's lower leg, etc. Mind you, he's not gross about it at all (try to figure that out!). An intelligent, fascinating read, very hard to put down once you get going.

La tercera y cuarta parte de la tetralogía (aunque después escribió un quinto) es una de las maravillas que nos ha dado Gene Wolfe. La manera que tiene de escribir los sucesos es única y te mantiene pegado al libro constantemente a pesar incluso de la historia tan enrevesada que tiene.Totalmente recomendado a cualquier aficionado de la ciencia ficción.

Ótimo livro. É necessário ler várias vezes para entender o que está acontecendo. Mas isso não estraga a experiência. Recomendo