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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
This is some of the best SFF writing I've ever encountered, but with a caveat. I really loved the dreary and dreamlike world Wolfe builds in this, and I'm completely drawn in by this strangely oppressive quasi-medieval society. And there's something really compelling about the unique charisma of Severian, a narcissistic unreliable narrator with a very morally questionable occupation. A rather unconventional choice of protagonist in a tale like this. All in all, it makes for a breath of fresh air in a stagnant pool of post-Tolkien, post-Le Guin SFF writers. Makes me wonder why Wolfe is not more widely known!
BUT the treatment of women is atrocious. Perhaps it's the narrator's misogynistic views coming into play, or maybe it's a reflection of the gender dynamic of it society, but that really isn't made very clear. It's even pretty egregious for its time and took me out of the experience on several occasions. I have a feeling that this is more a trait of Severian, so I'm prepared to give Wolfe the benefit of the doubt until I finish the series.
Overall, though, it's a really great read. Beautifully written, deeply immersive, and full of mystery. I'm looking forward to reading books 3 and 4.
BUT the treatment of women is atrocious. Perhaps it's the narrator's misogynistic views coming into play, or maybe it's a reflection of the gender dynamic of it society, but that really isn't made very clear. It's even pretty egregious for its time and took me out of the experience on several occasions. I have a feeling that this is more a trait of Severian, so I'm prepared to give Wolfe the benefit of the doubt until I finish the series.
Overall, though, it's a really great read. Beautifully written, deeply immersive, and full of mystery. I'm looking forward to reading books 3 and 4.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my first experience with the Book of the New Sun, and I decided to finally read it on the recommendation of lots of people I know liking it. Severian is a fairly solid character, and the intrigues of the Guild of Torturers are fun to read through. This particular collection leaves off at the end of book two. There seems to be some great destiny in store for Severian, and there's random hints that this is maybe a far distant future Earth (world name is Urth, mail planes mentioned, one of the characters in book two ends up being an android). I'm at least intrigued enough to read the next collection (Sword and Citadel) from the library.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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:
Yes
i liked shadow more than claw.
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated