Reviews - The Fifth Head of Cerberus

210 reviews for:

The Fifth Head of Cerberus

Gene Wolfe

3.95 AVERAGE

zacko's review against another edition

3.75

challenging mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

yleavy's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

A classic from one of the most skilled SciFi writers I’ve ever read. Wolfe’s writing is gorgeous, and his characters are complex and compelling. Cerberus definitely feels like the early work it is, before Wolfe’s writing truly blossomed, but it’s an engaging read nonetheless. If you like puzzles and are willing to take the time to really parse things out as you read (and reread) this trio, you’re in for a treat.

Content Warnings

mikeouimet's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

parrothesis's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous challenging dark medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

gunnerct's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

shiragin's review against another edition

5.0

Wow. This must be one of the most original, intelligent and mind-bogglingly confusing books I have read lately. Its three novellas loosely interconnect to form a puzzle whose pieces don't always fit together, or maybe it's just me who's not clever enough to realise how they're supposed to fit.

But I'm okay with that, honestly. I'm fine with not getting a completely coherent narrative or anything even remotely close to proper answers to all the questions raised here. Because whether I understand this book or not, reading it has been one hell of a ride.