Rating: 
Summary: The Meanest Writer
Review: General for all books in "The Book of the Short Sun" ("On Blue's Waters", "In Green's Jungles", "Return to the Whorl"): This third series of books, which are a direct continuation of the books in "The Book of the Long Sun" and a semi-direct continuation of the books of "The Book of the New Sun" is similar in its writing style and tone. When you start to read "On Blue's Waters" you feel like you've been thrown into an alien world inhabited by non-alien people with an alien culture. That's what Gene Wolfe has created in these books. He has gone where few authors have dared to go: into the very distant future of Mankind; not a few decades or a few hundred years, but many thousands of years. Frank Herbert, in the "Dune" books, started nine thousand years or so into our future. In Gene Wolfe's books, we don't know how far into the future we've gone, but it's well beyond what Herbert did, as the sun is cooling. The characters in these books are highly developed, three-dimensional, and realistic. The story-line is extremely non-linear, with abrupt shifts in time and setting, along with dream sequences loaded with meaning. It takes a while to get accustomed to that style, and some readers might not like it, but it was worth it for me. The writing is highly descriptive, and one comes away with a feeling of having visited the places described and having known the characters. One strange note about the series as a whole is that its central character, Horn, gets semi-transformed into Patera Silk, the central character of "The Book of the Long Sun", as the story progresses (or does he?). This series of books also resurrects from "The Book of the Long Sun" one of the most entertaining supporting characters I've ever encountered, Oreb, the semi-intelligent, wise, and highly vocal bird who was the constant companion of Patera Silk and is now the companion of Horn, the new central character. Oreb reminds me of Robert Heinlein's "Buck, the genetically-enhanced talking mule who was a companion to Heinlein's near-immortal Lazarus Long. For "Return to the Whorl": In the most linear (but still not very linear) and least obtuse book of the series, Horn (or is he Patera Silk?) jumps back and forth between the Planet Blue and the spaceship Whorl, searching for Silk (himself?), helping his new friend Pig (whose dialect is initially hard to understand but you get used to it), and making his way back to his (Horn's) family. He succeeds at returning to his family, he succeeds at helping Pig regain his sight (and stop being a blind pig!), and he succeeds, in an extremely strange way, at finding Patera Silk. All of the threads get tied together here, from "The Book of the New Sun", "The Book of the Long Sun", and "The Book of the Short Sun". The main character of "The Book of the New Sun" series, Severian the Torturer, even plays a small but important part, although he never gets named. The ending leaves the reader wondering if another series is planned, as the opportunity is there (Silk goes back to the Whorl as it readies to head back into deep space), but the tone is wistful, bordering on melancholy, as if Gene Wolfe were saying good-bye to his beloved characters. This is a very obtuse, poetic, complex, and wonderful set of books. It was a challenge to read, but was well worth it.
Rating:
Summary: "Fish heads?" Here's a feast!
Review: General for all books in "The Book of the Short Sun" ("On Blue's Waters", "In Green's Jungles", "Return to the Whorl"): This third series of books, which are a direct continuation of the books in "The Book of the Long Sun" and a semi-direct continuation of the books of "The Book of the New Sun" is similar in its writing style and tone. When you start to read "On Blue's Waters" you feel like you've been thrown into an alien world inhabited by non-alien people with an alien culture. That's what Gene Wolfe has created in these books. He has gone where few authors have dared to go: into the very distant future of Mankind; not a few decades or a few hundred years, but many thousands of years. Frank Herbert, in the "Dune" books, started nine thousand years or so into our future. In Gene Wolfe's books, we don't know how far into the future we've gone, but it's well beyond what Herbert did, as the sun is cooling. The characters in these books are highly developed, three-dimensional, and realistic. The story-line is extremely non-linear, with abrupt shifts in time and setting, along with dream sequences loaded with meaning. It takes a while to get accustomed to that style, and some readers might not like it, but it was worth it for me. The writing is highly descriptive, and one comes away with a feeling of having visited the places described and having known the characters. One strange note about the series as a whole is that its central character, Horn, gets semi-transformed into Patera Silk, the central character of "The Book of the Long Sun", as the story progresses (or does he?). This series of books also resurrects from "The Book of the Long Sun" one of the most entertaining supporting characters I've ever encountered, Oreb, the semi-intelligent, wise, and highly vocal bird who was the constant companion of Patera Silk and is now the companion of Horn, the new central character. Oreb reminds me of Robert Heinlein's "Buck, the genetically-enhanced talking mule who was a companion to Heinlein's near-immortal Lazarus Long. For "Return to the Whorl": In the most linear (but still not very linear) and least obtuse book of the series, Horn (or is he Patera Silk?) jumps back and forth between the Planet Blue and the spaceship Whorl, searching for Silk (himself?), helping his new friend Pig (whose dialect is initially hard to understand but you get used to it), and making his way back to his (Horn's) family. He succeeds at returning to his family, he succeeds at helping Pig regain his sight (and stop being a blind pig!), and he succeeds, in an extremely strange way, at finding Patera Silk. All of the threads get tied together here, from "The Book of the New Sun", "The Book of the Long Sun", and "The Book of the Short Sun". The main character of "The Book of the New Sun" series, Severian the Torturer, even plays a small but important part, although he never gets named. The ending leaves the reader wondering if another series is planned, as the opportunity is there (Silk goes back to the Whorl as it readies to head back into deep space), but the tone is wistful, bordering on melancholy, as if Gene Wolfe were saying good-bye to his beloved characters. This is a very obtuse, poetic, complex, and wonderful set of books. It was a challenge to read, but was well worth it.
Rating: 
Summary: A great series!
Review: Highly recommended! One less star because it doesn't have the same "sense of wonder" as OBW or IGJ since there isn't the world-creating and sense of mystery as in OBW or the stories as in IGJ. But in this book MOST of the mysteries get answered. :) As with all Gene Wolfe, what's below the surface or unmentioned is fascinating. The Odyssey comes to an interesting end. As with all Gene Wolfe, lots to think about.
Rating:
Summary: Beauty and Power
Review: I cannot claim to understand it fully as I write, only having finished the book a few minutes ago, but I can assure you that RETURN TO THE WHORL is one of the finest things Gene Wolfe has ever written. An occasional complaint against the richness of Gene Wolfe's prose and the complexity and strength of vision that inspires his created worlds is raised: there is a distancing, a lack of truly human character, a slight hint of purely intellectual chill in the devious puzzles Wolfe weaves for the careful reader. It is not so here, even if it is true elsewhere. Gene Wolfe is still making labyrinths, it is true, but at the center is heartbreak, and wonder; and, most importantly, love. The narrator of the three volumes of THE BOOK OF THE SHORT SUN is that rarest of literary creations: a beautifully good man. The maze we travel to reach him is built of wisdom, joy, and pain. Plot summaries appear above, and in the inner jacket of RETURN TO THE WHORL. They are fairly useless. Surely no one will read this who has not read ON BLUE'S WATERS and IN GREEN'S JUNGLES, and those who have will know some of what is to come. The rest should be a surprise and a revelation, although the bald statement of "what happens" does not begin to unfold the greatness of this book. Suffice it to say that the search for Silk begun in the first volume continues, and the parallel lines of narration draw to their close--old friends are met again, and new ones are made. The truth is told, and told well. There are now twelve volumes in the SUN series. This is very possibly the best of them. Together, they make up one of the most extraordinary artistic creations of our time, and I would not hesitate to claim for them a high place in the literature that does not concern itself with any one age. That we are alive to welcome its arrival, and to express our gratitude to Gene Wolfe for having given it to us, is surely not the least of the blessings we have received from the Outsider.
Rating:
Summary: The Great Tale Ends
Review: I cannot recall any novel that has moved me to such tears and silence. Perhaps it is the cumulative power of a great imaginative epic superbly told--the NEW/LONG/SHORT SUN Books. Perhaps it is because Wolfe continues to grow and challenge us as a writer, to take us places we've never been before. Perhaps real genius is beyond explanation. I'm sorry I can't say this any better. RETURN TO THE WHORL is unspeakably beautiful.
Rating:
Summary: I have never given five stars to a title before now...
Review: I've always felt such assignations should be witheld for the cream of the crop. This book majestically finishes what I've taken to refering to as a, "trilogy of series," to those not in the know. A completely realized review calls for a brief synopsis of the books I suppose, so here is a brief one: Horn -- He is a character from Long Sun, is featured as a main character. Led to what seems to be a terrestrial world by Silk, he later journeys to what seems to be a version of Hell as the planet Green, before finally visiting what might be seen as Heaven in the Long Sun Whorl up above. Along the way he has massive adventures and, true to Mr. Wolfe's form, has an identity crisis. As in all of Mr. Wolfe's works the issues of religion and the true meaning of humanity and identity as a human are explored in detail. These books are decidedly not easy reads. For some people, such as myself, that is a good thing. Reading a book is more an experience than pasttime for me. Also I do tend to read more slowly than the rest of my family, affording me more of an opportunity to delve into my material. For some this level and complexity is a bad thing. I don't mean to imply any haughtiness on my part. Different people are into different things, and for those not keen on diving into a text to wring the most they can out of it this book could prove difficult. Still if one is patient and wants to learn what good writing is, these are the books. It was actually Shadow that indoctrinated me into more difficult novels in the first place, and I have never forgiven her for it... :) One more remark and I'll be finished. Horn is my favorite character from the three series. Severian and Silk are wonderful but too perfect in comparison to Horn. You have the feeling that Severian and Silk can do anything and get away with anything, but Horn will leave you doubting. I love this about him. There were times I felt so moved by our unlikely hero's situation that I had to shut the books tightly and stare at the walls. Enough of my babbling. Begin Shadow and read three of the most marvelously crafted adventures the world has seen. You won't regret the journeys.
Rating:
Summary: I have never given five stars to a title before now...
Review: I've always felt such assignations should be witheld for the cream of the crop. This book majestically finishes what I've taken to refering to as a, "trilogy of series," to those not in the know. A completely realized review calls for a brief synopsis of the books I suppose, so here is a brief one: Horn -- He is a character from Long Sun, is featured as a main character. Led to what seems to be a terrestrial world by Silk, he later journeys to what seems to be a version of Hell as the planet Green, before finally visiting what might be seen as Heaven in the Long Sun Whorl up above. Along the way he has massive adventures and, true to Mr. Wolfe's form, has an identity crisis. As in all of Mr. Wolfe's works the issues of religion and the true meaning of humanity and identity as a human are explored in detail. These books are decidedly not easy reads. For some people, such as myself, that is a good thing. Reading a book is more an experience than pasttime for me. Also I do tend to read more slowly than the rest of my family, affording me more of an opportunity to delve into my material. For some this level and complexity is a bad thing. I don't mean to imply any haughtiness on my part. Different people are into different things, and for those not keen on diving into a text to wring the most they can out of it this book could prove difficult. Still if one is patient and wants to learn what good writing is, these are the books. It was actually Shadow that indoctrinated me into more difficult novels in the first place, and I have never forgiven her for it... :) One more remark and I'll be finished. Horn is my favorite character from the three series. Severian and Silk are wonderful but too perfect in comparison to Horn. You have the feeling that Severian and Silk can do anything and get away with anything, but Horn will leave you doubting. I love this about him. There were times I felt so moved by our unlikely hero's situation that I had to shut the books tightly and stare at the walls. Enough of my babbling. Begin Shadow and read three of the most marvelously crafted adventures the world has seen. You won't regret the journeys.
Rating:
Summary: Books like RETURN TO THE WHORL make life worth living.
Review: It's quite possible that RETURN TO THE WHORL may turn out to be Gene Wolfe's last book. If so, it's one of the most awe-inspiring valedictory performances ever written. At an age where most writers have retired, died, or reached the point of self-parody, Wolfe has concocted a towering and dizzyingly impressive fiction about family, love, God, and the act of writing itself. The multiple narrative threads in ON BLUE'S WATERS and IN GREEN'S JUNGLES lay as thick as kudzu by this point, but Wolfe ties them off one after another with (we imagine) a sly smile and a magician's flourish. For longtime readers, this will come as no surprise; what is surprising is the sudden, deft, and skillful resolution of many questions left over from GW's other two long masterpieces, THE BOOK OF THE NEW SUN and THE BOOK OF THE LONG SUN. RETURN TO THE WHORL is the capstone to the edifice that is Wolfe's life's work, and anyone who bears a deep and abiding love for reading -- science fiction or otherwise -- will find much in this book to profit from. Good fishing!
Rating:
Summary: An emotional ending
Review: Like so many others, it is difficult to articulate one's feelings after finishing 'Whorl.' I re-read 'In Green's Jungles' prior to 'Whorl' and realize that I was far too harsh in my review of that book. It was necessary and much better than I thought, but the third outdoes them all. The book does return to the whorl (as advertised) as well as Green and Blue and, well, everywhere. The adventures that the narrator has can only be experienced for themselves. What is necessary to say is that Wolfe has done what few others could do. Unlike most books and series, which have a clearly define structure even if there are flashbacks, Wolfe writes this series as if he were writing a journal. Not with a faux lack of structure, but a real lack of structure that is somehow structured. It is as if it were written by someone (actually, several someones) who was writing as many people would with digressions and promises to explain something that never is and then is much later. There is confusion as small details suddenly blossom into the main purpose of the passage until the original intention is lost and only returned to much later. How a writer can pull off this effect and still balance all the details must require a mind and a focus that is found in few writers. Not to give too much away, there are two endings, both of which are extraordinarily emotional. The reader has spent so much time with the narrator and with his trials and his very real efforts to achieve things (and his very real failures) that the reader is heartbroken to have to come to the end. Why? I don't know. Somehow, Wolfe has managed to create a character with whom it is easy to identify, someone that we wish we could be. Not because he has fantastic adventures, but because he wants so very much to be a good person, but whose failings are continually in his way. I have never been more saddened to have to leave a narrator than I have in this series. Even though there are maddening moments -- because every reader should have a handle on the narrator's identity by now, and it is frustrating that the narrator is so behind -- there are wonderous surprises around every turn, occasionally forcing the reader to re-read a chapter from this series, and occasionally from the New Sun or Long Sun books, and alwasy causing the reader to realize that certain obfuscations are not so muddy but are crystal clear only in hindsight. The reader has to trust Wolfe to make it all clear, and he admirably accomplishes this task and far exceeds any expectations. It feels as if this might be Wolfe's last book, since it ties together the three major series he has written. (Many writers have done this, tied together their disparate series I mean, but none with the eloquence that Wolfe has achieved.) I sincerely hope not. I would imagine that Wolfe will write another book, perhaps another series, but it seems impossible that even he could top this one. (Not, I imagine, that he would try to do this better but that he would do something different, as he has in all of his series.) In any case, the ending rends the heart as if the narrator were gone for good (which he is in a way, and is not).
Rating:
Summary: An emotional ending
Review: Like so many others, it is difficult to articulate one's feelings after finishing 'Whorl.' I re-read 'In Green's Jungles' prior to 'Whorl' and realize that I was far too harsh in my review of that book. It was necessary and much better than I thought, but the third outdoes them all. The book does return to the whorl (as advertised) as well as Green and Blue and, well, everywhere. The adventures that the narrator has can only be experienced for themselves. What is necessary to say is that Wolfe has done what few others could do. Unlike most books and series, which have a clearly define structure even if there are flashbacks, Wolfe writes this series as if he were writing a journal. Not with a faux lack of structure, but a real lack of structure that is somehow structured. It is as if it were written by someone (actually, several someones) who was writing as many people would with digressions and promises to explain something that never is and then is much later. There is confusion as small details suddenly blossom into the main purpose of the passage until the original intention is lost and only returned to much later. How a writer can pull off this effect and still balance all the details must require a mind and a focus that is found in few writers. Not to give too much away, there are two endings, both of which are extraordinarily emotional. The reader has spent so much time with the narrator and with his trials and his very real efforts to achieve things (and his very real failures) that the reader is heartbroken to have to come to the end. Why? I don't know. Somehow, Wolfe has managed to create a character with whom it is easy to identify, someone that we wish we could be. Not because he has fantastic adventures, but because he wants so very much to be a good person, but whose failings are continually in his way. I have never been more saddened to have to leave a narrator than I have in this series. Even though there are maddening moments -- because every reader should have a handle on the narrator's identity by now, and it is frustrating that the narrator is so behind -- there are wonderous surprises around every turn, occasionally forcing the reader to re-read a chapter from this series, and occasionally from the New Sun or Long Sun books, and alwasy causing the reader to realize that certain obfuscations are not so muddy but are crystal clear only in hindsight. The reader has to trust Wolfe to make it all clear, and he admirably accomplishes this task and far exceeds any expectations. It feels as if this might be Wolfe's last book, since it ties together the three major series he has written. (Many writers have done this, tied together their disparate series I mean, but none with the eloquence that Wolfe has achieved.) I sincerely hope not. I would imagine that Wolfe will write another book, perhaps another series, but it seems impossible that even he could top this one. (Not, I imagine, that he would try to do this better but that he would do something different, as he has in all of his series.) In any case, the ending rends the heart as if the narrator were gone for good (which he is in a way, and is not).
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