The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe

The Shadow of the Torturer

The Book of the New Sun #1

Gene Wolfe

227 pages • first pub 1980 (editions)

fiction fantasy science fiction speculative fiction challenging dark mysterious slow-paced
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Description

The Shadow of the Torturer is the first volume in the four-volume series, The Book of the New Sun. It is the tale of young Severian, an apprentice in the Guild of Torturers on the world called Urth, exiled for committing the ultimate sin of his pr...

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Community Reviews Summary of 2,493 reviews

Moods

dark 76%
mysterious 72%
challenging 66%
adventurous 60%
reflective 32%
tense 11%
emotional 6%
sad 6%
funny 3%
inspiring 3%
informative 1%

Pace

slow 56%
medium 39%
fast 3%

Plot- or character-driven?

Character: 48% | A mix: 40% | Plot: 11%

Strong character development?

It's complicated: 40% | Yes: 29% | No: 28% | N/A: 1%

Loveable characters?

No: 43% | It's complicated: 39% | Yes: 16%

Diverse cast of characters?

No: 46% | Yes: 26% | It's complicated: 20% | N/A: 6%

Flaws of characters a main focus?

Yes: 61% | It's complicated: 22% | No: 12% | N/A: 2%

Average rating

3.68

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