Castleview

Rating:
Summary: Castleview confusing but worth it :)
Review: Castleview is filled with interesting characters. It is
fast paced and full of action. To understand all the
references to Arthurian legend will take rereading
and much research but the book is very enjoyable
even if you don't get all the references.

Rating:
Summary: I had absolutely no idea what was going on
Review: Gene Wolfe's CASTLEVIEW is the second of his turn of the 90's trilogy of fantastical fiction novels. The first, THERE ARE DOORS, was a rather confusing but ultimately comprehendible book, but with CASTLEVIEW the reader has no idea what's going on.

CASTLEVIEW is perhaps the most infamous of Gene Wolfe's novels. Wolfe has always like to present puzzles to the reader, and every book he's written is filled with mysteries, allusions, and inside jokes. The answers to these are usually to be found after some diligent reading and research, and in any event the main plot can always be followed. In CASTLEVIEW, even the plot is totally baffling. Apparently it has something to do with magical creatures and characters from folklore, especially King Arthur and company, plaguing a modern town outside of Chicago. That's really all one can say for certain after reading the book. The entire point of the book is an enigma, and it doesn't appear that Wolfe has included the key anywhere in its 200+ pages. My personal hypothesis right after reading the book was that 50 pages or so fell out of my copy during the printing process, so that I missed the part where everything comes together. However, I read the same copy everyone else did, and no one's ever shown it was incomplete.

Ignoring the fact that the book goes right over the heads of its audience, CASTLEVIEW is not one of Wolfe's stronger works. I was annoyed by the speed in which Wolfe introduced new characters, so that it was difficult to follow who's who. Chapters end abruptly on some mysterious development which may create suspense but which irks the reader. Ironically, the teenagers are the only characters which are portrayed realistically, and the adults are somewhat two-dimensional, which is the opposite of how these sorts of things normally turn out.

Gene Wolfe is truly one of the finest writers in the English language. His four-volume work The Book of the New Sun is legendary, and his latest work The Book of the Short Sun is filled with moments of sublime beauty and poignant emotion. I would most certainly recommend that one read Wolfe's "solar" works first (starting with the BotNS), his magisterial novel PEACE, and just about everything else he's every written before coming to CASTLEVIEW. I do recommend CASTLEVIEW, and reading the book sure does explain why so many Wolfe scholars are beating their heads against the wall on this one. Save CASTLEVIEW for last.

Rating:
Summary: Castleview
Review: That seems to be the byline on this one. I even bought a book of Arthurian legend but it didn't help much. Yet even without understanding exactly what happened this book kept me on the edge of my seat. A very good ride, even if you don't know where you are going.

This book, more than any other, taught me to enjoy the journey with Wolfe and quit rushing to find out what happens in the end.

Rating:
Summary: Confusing but a Great read
Review: That seems to be the byline on this one. I even bought a book of Arthurian legend but it didn't help much. Yet even without understanding exactly what happened this book kept me on the edge of my seat. A very good ride, even if you don't know where you are going.

Rating:
Summary: Castleview
Review: What a disappointment! I had just finished reading Gene Wolfe's monumental duology, "Shadow and Claw" and "Sword and Citadel," arguably one of the most erudite, complex and unique fantasy tales ever written, only to have my expectations dashed by this piece of juvenile prose filled with poorly drawn characters. The premise was of some interest but the story could have been so much more compelling and enticing if it were not so shallow in style. Don't bother reading this one.

Rating:
Summary: Castleview
Review: What a disappointment! I had just finished reading Gene Wolfe's monumental duology, "Shadow and Claw" and "Sword and Citadel," arguably one of the most erudite, complex and unique fantasy tales ever written, only to have my expectations dashed by this piece of juvenile prose filled with poorly drawn characters. The premise was of some interest but the story could have been so much more compelling and enticing if it were not so shallow in style. Don't bother reading this one.

Rating:
Summary: A beguiling, stimulating, puzzling, hugely enjoyable book.
Review: What happened in this book? I would love to be able to discuss this book with another reader. I have read it three times (a real endorsement), and each time I think I have a better understanding of the book's purpose and plot. It is as fascinating as a crossword clue you can't >quite< solve. Read it!

Rating:
Summary: A beguiling, stimulating, puzzling, hugely enjoyable book.
Review: What happened in this book? I would love to be able to discuss this book with another reader. I have read it three times (a real endorsement), and each time I think I have a better understanding of the book's purpose and plot. It is as fascinating as a crossword clue you can't >quite< solve. Read it!