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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
توضیحات زیر فقط برای خودم نوشته شده و داستان کتاب را لو می‌دهند:
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The order of the seekers for Truth and Penitence (The Guild of Toturers)
با اینکه شاگرد رسته شکنجه‌گران بود ولی وقتی اون سگ درمانده (تریسکل) رو دید پنهانی آوردش و تیمارش کرد. کتابخانه بزرگ رسته کتابداران هم جالب بود که موش‌ها در میانشون لانه کرده بودند و استاد Ultan که سرپرست رسته بود و چشم‌هاش دیگه قادر به دیدن نبود و به طرز واضحی خود خوزه لوییس بورخس بود که در تاریکی اون زیرزمین در کنار شاگرد و جانشینش cyby زندگی می‌کرد.
نمی‌توانستم در حین خواندن بخش‌های مربوط به دکتر تالوس به بازیگری به نام کریستوف والتز فکر نکنم که مطمئنا بهترین گزینه برای بازی این شخصیت است.
مرد سبزی که از آینده آمده بود و میگفت که انسان‌‌ها در آینده با ترکیب کلروفیل گیاهان در سلول‌های خود موفق شده‌اند فتوسنتز کنند و تا حد زیادی از نیاز به مواد غذایی رها شوند.
سوریان و یوناس، notule را دیدند که موجودات سیاهی بودند همچون یک پارچه که به دنبال گرمای حیات موجودات می‌رفتند و با چنگ انداختن بر آنها به درون منفذهای بدنشان می‌رفتند و راه خود را تا شش‌های فرد ادامه می‌دادند.
روستای معدن‌کاران سالتوس، غاری که موجودات میمون‌مانند در آن بودند و نور کانسیلییتور انها را فراری داد. آگیا که میخواست سوریان را بکشد.
یوناس که در آنتچمبرز کاخ ابسولوت با ماشینی به سیاره خودش برگشت تا تعمیر شود (او در هنگام عبور از دیوار شهر سیتادل به سوریان پیوست و با او همراه شد. میخواست با یولنتا باشد). غولی که در کناره رود بود و میگفت سوریان باید با او برود تا تاج پادشاهی‌اش را بازپس بگیرد. دکتر تالوس که یولنتا را زد و خفاشی که خونش را مکید و در خرابه‌های شهر سنگی به نظر می‌رسد که مرد. هیلدگرین که در خرابه‌های شهر سنگی به همراه جادوگر پیر (مارمولک‌مانند) و شاگردش در زمان سفر کردند تا یکی را بدزدند که در میان رقاصان زردپوش گرزبدست بود.
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The order of the seekers for Truth and Penitence (The Guild of Toturers)
با اینکه شاگرد رسته شکنجه‌گران بود ولی وقتی اون سگ درمانده (تریسکل) رو دید پنهانی آوردش و تیمارش کرد. کتابخانه بزرگ رسته کتابداران هم جالب بود که موش‌ها در میانشون لانه کرده بودند و استاد Ultan که سرپرست رسته بود و چشم‌هاش دیگه قادر به دیدن نبود و به طرز واضحی خود خوزه لوییس بورخس بود که در تاریکی اون زیرزمین در کنار شاگرد و جانشینش cyby زندگی می‌کرد.
نمی‌توانستم در حین خواندن بخش‌های مربوط به دکتر تالوس به بازیگری به نام کریستوف والتز فکر نکنم که مطمئنا بهترین گزینه برای بازی این شخصیت است.
مرد سبزی که از آینده آمده بود و میگفت که انسان‌‌ها در آینده با ترکیب کلروفیل گیاهان در سلول‌های خود موفق شده‌اند فتوسنتز کنند و تا حد زیادی از نیاز به مواد غذایی رها شوند.
سوریان و یوناس، notule را دیدند که موجودات سیاهی بودند همچون یک پارچه که به دنبال گرمای حیات موجودات می‌رفتند و با چنگ انداختن بر آنها به درون منفذهای بدنشان می‌رفتند و راه خود را تا شش‌های فرد ادامه می‌دادند.
روستای معدن‌کاران سالتوس، غاری که موجودات میمون‌مانند در آن بودند و نور کانسیلییتور انها را فراری داد. آگیا که میخواست سوریان را بکشد.
یوناس که در آنتچمبرز کاخ ابسولوت با ماشینی به سیاره خودش برگشت تا تعمیر شود (او در هنگام عبور از دیوار شهر سیتادل به سوریان پیوست و با او همراه شد. میخواست با یولنتا باشد). غولی که در کناره رود بود و میگفت سوریان باید با او برود تا تاج پادشاهی‌اش را بازپس بگیرد. دکتر تالوس که یولنتا را زد و خفاشی که خونش را مکید و در خرابه‌های شهر سنگی به نظر می‌رسد که مرد. هیلدگرین که در خرابه‌های شهر سنگی به همراه جادوگر پیر (مارمولک‌مانند) و شاگردش در زمان سفر کردند تا یکی را بدزدند که در میان رقاصان زردپوش گرزبدست بود.
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nuanced storytelling, captivating -- and without giving anything away, potentially unreliable -- narrator. It's got flecks of science fiction, fantasy, dystopia. But what I love best is that you're in the middle of the story, left to figure out what's going on, and why. It's dense (but not too dense), with amazing detail and flashes of reality. After reading, I've moved on to a few other books by Wolfe and never once been disappointed.
I DNFed this book, so no rating.
I've been hearing for years about Gene Wolfe and especially this series, so I was excited to read it. However, I only got about 22 chapters in (out of 75). I was still waiting for any semblance of a plot to arise, as what I had read so far was a collection of...things that happened to the main character, in his apprenticeship as a torturer in a dying far future science fantasy world. I appreciated the hints of technology explained by someone who didn't know what they were, but that was about all I got out of it, except that the main character seems to instantly fall in love with whatever female crosses his path, and wanders aimlessly through a giant city.
I've been hearing for years about Gene Wolfe and especially this series, so I was excited to read it. However, I only got about 22 chapters in (out of 75). I was still waiting for any semblance of a plot to arise, as what I had read so far was a collection of...things that happened to the main character, in his apprenticeship as a torturer in a dying far future science fantasy world. I appreciated the hints of technology explained by someone who didn't know what they were, but that was about all I got out of it, except that the main character seems to instantly fall in love with whatever female crosses his path, and wanders aimlessly through a giant city.
I have been hearing about Gene Wolf my whole life and this is the first of his books that I've read. I have to admit that I wasn't taken with it. The transition between two books left me a little cold. The first book ends with a cliffhanger that is never really resolved. The second book picks up at some point later, never resolving what happened at the end of the first book or who a new character is or where he came from. I felt there was lots of stuff that just went unexplained, leaving me as the reader a little lost. I've read other books that do this and it kind of works, but this one I felt like it didn't. I'll give the next one a try.
Simply fantastic. The whole series is great. Wolfe is like the Nabokov of science fiction writers. Nothing in the book is as it seems. Clues are dropped everywhere (in random, seemingly casual phrases; in the chapter titles; in the names of the characters).
The book is narrated by a member of a torturer's guild set in what seems to be a post-apocalyptic Earth. Despite claims to the possession of a highly developed memory, the narrator (Severian, aptly named) is somewhat unreliable. Major events are left out of the narrative completely, or are just barely eluded to, only to be (partially) revealed later. The introduction of outright lies into the narrative is not uncommon. Severian is in the habit of sleeping with just about every woman that he encounters, though he often fails to mention his exploits until later in the story. He's sort of a Christ-like figure, yet also a lying womanizer who murders for trade. It's possible that he dies several times throughout the course of the story as well (this is never made entirely clear).
The prose is lush and beautiful. Several extremely strange things happen early in the first book that are only explained deep within the third or fourth books (or not at all). You go through the whole thing expecting an explanation at the end, but there is nothing of the sort. The explanation comes only after reading the book a second or third time. Even after that, some things are simply never made clear. I suppose I'm a bit of a masochist when it comes to fiction, I like that sort of thing. I can't be the only one - Wolfe has a sort of cult following.
In any case, this is the only fiction book that I've ever actually purchased a guide to (Gravity's Rainbow comes close).
The book is narrated by a member of a torturer's guild set in what seems to be a post-apocalyptic Earth. Despite claims to the possession of a highly developed memory, the narrator (Severian, aptly named) is somewhat unreliable. Major events are left out of the narrative completely, or are just barely eluded to, only to be (partially) revealed later. The introduction of outright lies into the narrative is not uncommon. Severian is in the habit of sleeping with just about every woman that he encounters, though he often fails to mention his exploits until later in the story. He's sort of a Christ-like figure, yet also a lying womanizer who murders for trade. It's possible that he dies several times throughout the course of the story as well (this is never made entirely clear).
The prose is lush and beautiful. Several extremely strange things happen early in the first book that are only explained deep within the third or fourth books (or not at all). You go through the whole thing expecting an explanation at the end, but there is nothing of the sort. The explanation comes only after reading the book a second or third time. Even after that, some things are simply never made clear. I suppose I'm a bit of a masochist when it comes to fiction, I like that sort of thing. I can't be the only one - Wolfe has a sort of cult following.
In any case, this is the only fiction book that I've ever actually purchased a guide to (Gravity's Rainbow comes close).
What an amazing series!!! I never knew what was going to happen next and I'd have to read it several more times to understand half of it. It certainly makes the reader think. It's set in one of the most unique fictional worlds and is filled with allegory and puzzles.
4.5 stars -- Only a few small but somewhat significant details kept me from giving this book 5 stars.
. . .Wolfe keeps his story fresh by using terms that jar the reader in their alien appearance to describe everyday things — especially the names of the flora and fauna — though never so much that it alienates the reader. Smilodons, and other creatures that have or may have at one time lived on the reader’s own Earth inhabit Wolfe’s universe. He takes special care in keeping the reader guessing at which parts of his narrative might actually even be factual historic (Earth) record, though he weaves it into his plotting that it’s almost indistinguishable from his imagination.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter. It adds to the narrative’s mystique and builds the intricate story, and that’s what’s most important. . . .
Check out the rest of my review over at InDigest Magazine!!
. . .Wolfe keeps his story fresh by using terms that jar the reader in their alien appearance to describe everyday things — especially the names of the flora and fauna — though never so much that it alienates the reader. Smilodons, and other creatures that have or may have at one time lived on the reader’s own Earth inhabit Wolfe’s universe. He takes special care in keeping the reader guessing at which parts of his narrative might actually even be factual historic (Earth) record, though he weaves it into his plotting that it’s almost indistinguishable from his imagination.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter. It adds to the narrative’s mystique and builds the intricate story, and that’s what’s most important. . . .
Check out the rest of my review over at InDigest Magazine!!
What a weird time this read was. Not because it was especially unusual, difficult, or confusing, but rather because of the two very different paths it takes simultaneously in telling its story.
On the one hand, these two books contain some of the most fascinating world-building I've come across in fantasy. Introducing sci-fi concepts as a medieval-like populace would understand them millions of years in a dying earth future, long after the original knowledge of science had faded into oral history, made for a thrilling mental exercise. The invented vocabulary, for me at least, added to the excitement of the puzzle. Wolfe has clear skill in laying out breadcrumbs for a grand picture, and I am on board with following them. To not mince words: this is an extraordinarily good sci-fi/fantasy blend.
On the other hand, what the heck is this protagonist supposed to be?! Severian (cool name, bro) spends the first half of Shadow as a weak and wimpy kid who is made uncomfortable by sexuality, and then at the turn of a dime he becomes the big, buff, sword-wielding object of desire for every female in the series, despite having exactly zero personality to endear him. He is cold an uncaring toward every one of his many paramours, completely lacking in charm, and apparently fumbling his way unknowingly toward some grand destiny that he seems to have no interest in pursuing. Around the middle of Claw, I began to suspect he might be intended as satire for dick-lit tropes. As an example: he harps on repeatedly about his perfect memory, much stronger than a mere mortal's, oh you dear reader, you wouldn't understand how life-like and crisp his memories are. But over the course of two books it becomes clear that he's extremely unobservant and probably full of shit.
A satirical narrator who doesn't realize how unreliable he is definitely a choice an author can make, and maybe it's even a clever one. But Poe's law is strong, and this asshole almost ruined the read for me. Once I decided to press on treating him as a satirical joke, it became much easier. So many of the characters who (for some reason choose to) surround him are extremely interesting where he is tired, base, and boring; learning about them through this idiot's eyes is some reward, perhaps made sweeter because of how slowly he notices, and thus relays to the reader, revelations that could have been obvious to a different narrator. But though I might imagine Severian has invented or embellished all of his many romances, it is extremely hard to just ignore the rampant misogyny plaguing this series, and I'm honestly not sure I'll be able to make it through two more books if they follow the trend of increasing dick-lit tropes.
I'm feeling optimistic today, so only 1 star docked. But good god, it is a BIG one star.
On the one hand, these two books contain some of the most fascinating world-building I've come across in fantasy. Introducing sci-fi concepts as a medieval-like populace would understand them millions of years in a dying earth future, long after the original knowledge of science had faded into oral history, made for a thrilling mental exercise. The invented vocabulary, for me at least, added to the excitement of the puzzle. Wolfe has clear skill in laying out breadcrumbs for a grand picture, and I am on board with following them. To not mince words: this is an extraordinarily good sci-fi/fantasy blend.
On the other hand, what the heck is this protagonist supposed to be?! Severian (cool name, bro) spends the first half of Shadow as a weak and wimpy kid who is made uncomfortable by sexuality, and then at the turn of a dime he becomes the big, buff, sword-wielding object of desire for every female in the series, despite having exactly zero personality to endear him. He is cold an uncaring toward every one of his many paramours, completely lacking in charm, and apparently fumbling his way unknowingly toward some grand destiny that he seems to have no interest in pursuing. Around the middle of Claw, I began to suspect he might be intended as satire for dick-lit tropes. As an example: he harps on repeatedly about his perfect memory, much stronger than a mere mortal's, oh you dear reader, you wouldn't understand how life-like and crisp his memories are. But over the course of two books it becomes clear that he's extremely unobservant and probably full of shit.
A satirical narrator who doesn't realize how unreliable he is definitely a choice an author can make, and maybe it's even a clever one. But Poe's law is strong, and this asshole almost ruined the read for me. Once I decided to press on treating him as a satirical joke, it became much easier. So many of the characters who (for some reason choose to) surround him are extremely interesting where he is tired, base, and boring; learning about them through this idiot's eyes is some reward, perhaps made sweeter because of how slowly he notices, and thus relays to the reader, revelations that could have been obvious to a different narrator. But though I might imagine Severian has invented or embellished all of his many romances, it is extremely hard to just ignore the rampant misogyny plaguing this series, and I'm honestly not sure I'll be able to make it through two more books if they follow the trend of increasing dick-lit tropes.
I'm feeling optimistic today, so only 1 star docked. But good god, it is a BIG one star.