Sword & Citadel : The Second Half of 'The Book of the New Sun'

Rating:
Summary: Excellent and moving, a composition to live by
Review: When I first read this series as a teenager, I did not understand the weighty implications, symbolism and depth behind the literature. I read them as a wonderful "Action/Fantasy" with "Cool" characters and began building my own vocabulary around the words I discovered in the text. The second time I read them, in my maturing years, I realized the impact the storyline would have on me. The tale is the classic chronicle of man alone against the forces of his life, acheiving his understanding through experience and consequence, learning through the characters he meets. Not only is that the underlying premise with which the concept of "Story" lies, but Wolfe weaves in the archetypal premise of a "Messiah" as well, in Severian as the Christ figure. I only wish that more people were readers of Gene Wolfe, so all could revel in the brilliance of these works. Make no mistake, I also wish we could review The Urth of the New Sun, the perfect companion piece to The Book of the New Sun, I've read that four times, awed at the effects the five books have had on my personal growth. I've never met a literate person who has read Wolfe that did not enjoy his works. Everyone needs to spread the word.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent and moving, a composition to live by
Review: When I first read this series as a teenager, I did not understand the weighty implications, symbolism and depth behind the literature. I read them as a wonderful "Action/Fantasy" with "Cool" characters and began building my own vocabulary around the words I discovered in the text. The second time I read them, in my maturing years, I realized the impact the storyline would have on me. The tale is the classic chronicle of man alone against the forces of his life, acheiving his understanding through experience and consequence, learning through the characters he meets. Not only is that the underlying premise with which the concept of "Story" lies, but Wolfe weaves in the archetypal premise of a "Messiah" as well, in Severian as the Christ figure. I only wish that more people were readers of Gene Wolfe, so all could revel in the brilliance of these works. Make no mistake, I also wish we could review The Urth of the New Sun, the perfect companion piece to The Book of the New Sun, I've read that four times, awed at the effects the five books have had on my personal growth. I've never met a literate person who has read Wolfe that did not enjoy his works. Everyone needs to spread the word.

Rating:
Summary: Wolfe, Literary Genius
Review: Wolfe's work here is indeed the "Book of Gold". I have re-read each book a least twice a year since 1998. Wolfe makes the mistake of assuming that his readers do in fact have brains and would rather not be lead by the hand through his novels. You must read Wolfe like you must drive a 911 GT2, completely and with no distractions. Not for the novice.

Rating:
Summary: Best-written sci-fi/fantasy ever
Review: Wolfe's writing is second to none.