A review by eabourland
Home Fires by Gene Wolfe

5.0

It's not useful to classify this book as a mystery, an espionage thriller, a sci-fi fantasy, or a law thriller, although you could do so because the story has elements of each. Wolfe's subtle, complex book is bigger than genre because it is driven not by genre convention but by compelling characters and science-based wonderment. (How would war in space actually work? What would be the effect on human relationships of time-dilating faster-than-light travel? What is the plausible condition of post-fossil-fuel humanity?) The writing is Wolfe's usual liquid, lonely, gorgeous prose. As I mentioned the story is subtle and complex, and Wolfe is not gratuitous. He trusts his reader and can be rigorous, but he rewards you generously. Give it a second read to catch the many hints you missed and many answers you craved after the first. Give it a second read because it is purely pleasureable. The proud, desolate ending is one of the most poignant moments I ever read because in spite of all of the fantastic elements, this is a very convincing love story. -- EB, 1/10/2012