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t_thekla's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
percy jackson knock-off
marhill31's review against another edition
3.0
3.25 Stars.
What is it about memory loss that can make for a compelling story?
Gene Wolfe decides to tackle memory loss in his 5th Century Greece historical fantasy series starting with the 1986 release of Soldier of the Mist. Soldier of the Mist tells the story of Latro, a mercenary soldier who has suffered a head wound in battle and has been separated from his comrades.
Latro has lost the ability to remember who he is on a daily basis and only has a scroll that he writes on for assistance. In compensation for his memory loss, the soldier can talk to gods, goddesses, demons and other supernatural beings with regularity. He seems to have the gift of clairsentience.
Wolfe writes an intriguing and interesting story in Soldier of the Mist that will take multiple readings to fully comprehend its theme. And his use of the unreliable narrator for the protagonist was in full effect throughout the novel. However, I could only enjoy Soldier of the Mist on a intellectual level and not an emotional level.
I’m a Gene Wolfe fan and have read several other of his books like [b:Pirate Freedom|703026|Pirate Freedom|Gene Wolfe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312045737l/703026._SY75_.jpg|689318], [b:The Land Across|17332287|The Land Across|Gene Wolfe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379150855l/17332287._SY75_.jpg|24035925], [b:The Knight|60212|The Knight (The Wizard Knight #1)|Gene Wolfe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1437398168l/60212._SY75_.jpg|1695662], and the excellent novella, [b:Sailing to Byzantium/Seven American Nights|60217|Sailing to Byzantium/Seven American Nights|Robert Silverberg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1220732668l/60217._SX50_.jpg|58583]. Wolfe is an acquired taste and his reputation as a writer’s writer is confirmed in Solider of the Mist. I will not continue on with Latro’s story in the rest of the series, but I’m looking forward to reading [b:Sailing to Byzantium/Seven American Nights|60217|Sailing to Byzantium/Seven American Nights|Robert Silverberg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1220732668l/60217._SX50_.jpg|58583], [b:The Sorcerer's House|6845909|The Sorcerer's House|Gene Wolfe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442434085l/6845909._SX50_.jpg|7057900]and [b:The Wizard|40996|The Wizard (The Wizard Knight #2)|Gene Wolfe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388709694l/40996._SY75_.jpg|40579] instead.
What is it about memory loss that can make for a compelling story?
Gene Wolfe decides to tackle memory loss in his 5th Century Greece historical fantasy series starting with the 1986 release of Soldier of the Mist. Soldier of the Mist tells the story of Latro, a mercenary soldier who has suffered a head wound in battle and has been separated from his comrades.
Latro has lost the ability to remember who he is on a daily basis and only has a scroll that he writes on for assistance. In compensation for his memory loss, the soldier can talk to gods, goddesses, demons and other supernatural beings with regularity. He seems to have the gift of clairsentience.
Wolfe writes an intriguing and interesting story in Soldier of the Mist that will take multiple readings to fully comprehend its theme. And his use of the unreliable narrator for the protagonist was in full effect throughout the novel. However, I could only enjoy Soldier of the Mist on a intellectual level and not an emotional level.
I’m a Gene Wolfe fan and have read several other of his books like [b:Pirate Freedom|703026|Pirate Freedom|Gene Wolfe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312045737l/703026._SY75_.jpg|689318], [b:The Land Across|17332287|The Land Across|Gene Wolfe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379150855l/17332287._SY75_.jpg|24035925], [b:The Knight|60212|The Knight (The Wizard Knight #1)|Gene Wolfe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1437398168l/60212._SY75_.jpg|1695662], and the excellent novella, [b:Sailing to Byzantium/Seven American Nights|60217|Sailing to Byzantium/Seven American Nights|Robert Silverberg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1220732668l/60217._SX50_.jpg|58583]. Wolfe is an acquired taste and his reputation as a writer’s writer is confirmed in Solider of the Mist. I will not continue on with Latro’s story in the rest of the series, but I’m looking forward to reading [b:Sailing to Byzantium/Seven American Nights|60217|Sailing to Byzantium/Seven American Nights|Robert Silverberg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1220732668l/60217._SX50_.jpg|58583], [b:The Sorcerer's House|6845909|The Sorcerer's House|Gene Wolfe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442434085l/6845909._SX50_.jpg|7057900]and [b:The Wizard|40996|The Wizard (The Wizard Knight #2)|Gene Wolfe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388709694l/40996._SY75_.jpg|40579] instead.
astronautilus's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
michaeldrakich's review against another edition
3.0
Having read the Torturer series, which I thoroughly enjoyed, my expectations of this novel may have been a little higher than normal. Although I found the concept of a soldier who forgets everything more than 24 hours old and who sees gods in Ancient Greece, The story gained a certain plodding attitude as it went. The main character, Latro, plodded through events without really giving the reader a sense of direction as to where the story was going. I did not get that feeling until the very last couple of chapters. It almost seemed like the author decided "Okay, time to wrap it up" and did so in a hurry. As a result, I have no desire to seek out the sequel.
deimosremus's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
As I’ve done a dive into the work of Gene Wolfe over the past 2 years or so, he’s without a doubt, become my all-time favorite author. Soldier of the Mist is my 10th Wolfe read, and while it’s safe to say that his tendencies as an author are to “recycle” concepts in play that are familiar in many of his works, the way he manages to make those ideas feel fresh for each subsequent work is rather miraculous.
Latro, Soldier of the Mist’s narrator, much like Book of the New Sun’s Severian or Peace’s Alden Dennis Weer, is one within the ‘unreliable’ category. However, unlike Severian, who often lies to the reader or slyly skirts around the truth, or Alden, whose buried evilness isn’t apparent, Latro is one that admits to his own faults, seeks forgiveness for them and is ultimately a protagonist that has more recognizable goodness within him. The fact that he’s conceptually Severian’s opposite (self-described perfect memory VS complete lack of memory) seems to mark the Latro books as a response to New Sun— to play with some of those same ideas that made it so unique within the realm of SFF, but in a completely different direction.
The way Wolfe plays with the memory of his narrator also means that there are gaps within the narrative that the reader is not aware of— again, using the same tactic of reading New Sun as a story to ‘piece together’, rewarding observant readers with revelations and subtle clues. Of course, it being Wolfe, it’s phenomenally written and constructed, beautiful in its use of language and observance of history, mythology, folklore and literature. Very much looking forward to reading Soldier of Arete and Soldier of Sidon when I get the chance.
Latro, Soldier of the Mist’s narrator, much like Book of the New Sun’s Severian or Peace’s Alden Dennis Weer, is one within the ‘unreliable’ category. However, unlike Severian, who often lies to the reader or slyly skirts around the truth, or Alden, whose buried evilness isn’t apparent, Latro is one that admits to his own faults, seeks forgiveness for them and is ultimately a protagonist that has more recognizable goodness within him. The fact that he’s conceptually Severian’s opposite (self-described perfect memory VS complete lack of memory) seems to mark the Latro books as a response to New Sun— to play with some of those same ideas that made it so unique within the realm of SFF, but in a completely different direction.
The way Wolfe plays with the memory of his narrator also means that there are gaps within the narrative that the reader is not aware of— again, using the same tactic of reading New Sun as a story to ‘piece together’, rewarding observant readers with revelations and subtle clues. Of course, it being Wolfe, it’s phenomenally written and constructed, beautiful in its use of language and observance of history, mythology, folklore and literature. Very much looking forward to reading Soldier of Arete and Soldier of Sidon when I get the chance.
archergal's review against another edition
5.0
I confess I've always been afraid that Gene Wolfe would be a little beyond me. I'm not a subtle reader, and symbolism and various other literary devices are mostly closed books to me. But I've decided not to worry about that anymore, and just to read and enjoy his books in any way I can. Because there's a lot to enjoy here. And I can look up reviews and analyses to fill in the bits I missed.
First, the writing is gorgeous. Reading prose like this is just so satisfying. It's the story of Latro, the Roman mercenary who fought for Xerxes. Latro received a head injury that affected his memory. He doesn't remember his past, and his short-term memory is about 24 hours long. He carries a scroll with him, and writes down the events of each day. He also sees and interacts with pagan gods and mythological creatures.
Latro is on a journey to find his home and friends. He meets an interesting assortment of people along the way. It's interesting and compelling reading. Be warned though - starting this book is a little like hitting the first volume of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series. There are lots of words and terms that aren't familiar to most modern readers. Carry on through, looking up words as needed.
Good stuff.
First, the writing is gorgeous. Reading prose like this is just so satisfying. It's the story of Latro, the Roman mercenary who fought for Xerxes. Latro received a head injury that affected his memory. He doesn't remember his past, and his short-term memory is about 24 hours long. He carries a scroll with him, and writes down the events of each day. He also sees and interacts with pagan gods and mythological creatures.
Latro is on a journey to find his home and friends. He meets an interesting assortment of people along the way. It's interesting and compelling reading. Be warned though - starting this book is a little like hitting the first volume of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series. There are lots of words and terms that aren't familiar to most modern readers. Carry on through, looking up words as needed.
Good stuff.
serena_dawn's review against another edition
5.0
I imagine a Romanticized reason to why we call the language of Rome, Latin, is for their latro, or soldiers. However, that's not a true linguist root.
I have wanted to read this series for many years, before, in fact, the Percy Jackson books came out, but it's one of those books which I had never much luck in finding. If honest I am touchy about historical fantasy and mythology, if done wrong, I can't seem to keep my temper and it will sour my reading for weeks - if done right (and this is done almost PERFECTLY!) I just adore it to pieces.
Latro wakes after a battle (based on a factual battle in 479 BC which Herodotos relates) with a head injury, he doesn't know his name, his people, his home, or even what side of the battle he had been fighting on! But, it's supposed by the physician that is the Great King's although no one knows his true name, his friend known throughout the book only as the mysterious "black man", who speaks neither Hellenic Greek or the language that Latro naturally writes in, yet remains a loyal if silent friend, with a equally unknown past, while they communicate in a finger language.
It is soon found that Latro has offended Demeter, the Great Mother, and at the dawn of each day he forgets what he knew the day previously. Yet without the mist of memory he sees the divine gods and goddesses of Greece. On his journey he is helped by Io and Pindaros, enslaved by Hypereides, Kalleos and the 'Rope Men' regent, Pausanias.
What Latro's most desires is to find his friends, and, he hopes, countrymen, and this is promised to him by a daughter of Demeter, but the promises and favors of goddesses can be perilous as Eurykles, or "Drakaina" could prove at the end.
There is a certain charm in the use of "translated" places names from Greece by Latro, that gives a sense of displaced wrongness throughout, and pulls sympathy to Latro and his journey.
I have wanted to read this series for many years, before, in fact, the Percy Jackson books came out, but it's one of those books which I had never much luck in finding. If honest I am touchy about historical fantasy and mythology, if done wrong, I can't seem to keep my temper and it will sour my reading for weeks - if done right (and this is done almost PERFECTLY!) I just adore it to pieces.
Latro wakes after a battle (based on a factual battle in 479 BC which Herodotos relates) with a head injury, he doesn't know his name, his people, his home, or even what side of the battle he had been fighting on! But, it's supposed by the physician that is the Great King's although no one knows his true name, his friend known throughout the book only as the mysterious "black man", who speaks neither Hellenic Greek or the language that Latro naturally writes in, yet remains a loyal if silent friend, with a equally unknown past, while they communicate in a finger language.
It is soon found that Latro has offended Demeter, the Great Mother, and at the dawn of each day he forgets what he knew the day previously. Yet without the mist of memory he sees the divine gods and goddesses of Greece. On his journey he is helped by Io and Pindaros, enslaved by Hypereides, Kalleos and the 'Rope Men' regent, Pausanias.
What Latro's most desires is to find his friends, and, he hopes, countrymen, and this is promised to him by a daughter of Demeter, but the promises and favors of goddesses can be perilous as Eurykles, or "Drakaina" could prove at the end.
There is a certain charm in the use of "translated" places names from Greece by Latro, that gives a sense of displaced wrongness throughout, and pulls sympathy to Latro and his journey.