Calde of the Long Sun (The Book of the Long Sun, V. 3)

Rating:
Summary: Boring and shallow
Review: After first twoo books of the series I really did't expected much. But what I got here totally dissapointed me. Patera Silk again finds himself in countless situations from which he is trying to get out unscarred. The whole world and characters are presented kinda "shy?", and one can not put himself in role of Patera silk, one can not live inside him a live trough his "adventurs". Wolfe, at the end of a novel, invetns a relatively "unknown" method called deus ex machina. He got so tnagled in a web of characters and situations that this was the only way out. How logical? judge for yourslef. Rather plain writing also doesenßt serve this book as a good messenger, yet long conversation which lead nowhere, tedious pace and flatstone characters totally kills this book. I gave it three stars just for the sake of the "old glory". But if you want honest oppinion, do not read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Slow Going, But Good
Review: As in the first two books of the series, this one limps along at a less than rapid pace, despite being rife with godly possession, swapped body parts, mechanical soldiers, and one priestly space vampire. It was in this book I began to notice Wolfe's need to have his characters talk and talk about what they know (or think they know) and how they came to know it, as well as his tendency to skip important events only to have his characters talk about them later. This is all fine and good, and is all part of that unique Wolfe atmosphere, which is one part 'huh?' and two parts 'WTF?!' I still believe the encompassing story of the Whorl, the "gods" who created it, and where it's going are the hooks in this series. But given its size (over 1400 pages), at each long-winded conversation I couldn't shake the feeling that Wolfe's characters were being paid by the word.

Rating:
Summary: Rich and deep and you can't put it down!
Review: As Patera Calde Silk grapples with his new-found and unwanted, but somewhat-enjoyed fame and power, he (and the reader) get to understand the true nature of his "world" and its "gods". The writing flows and, as with the previous installments in this series, this one just leaves you hungry for the next. This is actually part of a series, and that series of books is part of a series of series. For all related books, search under Gene Wolfe's name for all titles with the word "sun" in them.

Rating:
Summary: Overrated.
Review: If it weren't for the astonishing reviews for this series ("telling someone what is great about Gene Wolfe's writing is like trying to tell someone what's great about Mozart's music...") I probably would have stopped reading this book halfway through it. I've been reading sci-fi/fantasy for 25 years. During this time, I have grown to appreciate more literary works. Calde does in fact contain well written, at times transcendant passages, but the story itself is ludicrously overwrought and complex. Wolfe forgets that a good story, regardless of whether it is pulp or artistry, must entertain the reader. Calde was technically proficient, but cold and lifeless. After being mildly disappointed with the first two books, I have continued to read on, hoping that Wolfe's style would click with me. Unfortunately, it just didn't happen.

Rating:
Summary: Overrated.
Review: If it weren't for the astonishing reviews for this series ("telling someone what is great about Gene Wolfe's writing is like trying to tell someone what's great about Mozart's music...") I probably would have stopped reading this book halfway through it. I've been reading sci-fi/fantasy for 25 years. During this time, I have grown to appreciate more literary works. Calde does in fact contain well written, at times transcendant passages, but the story itself is ludicrously overwrought and complex. Wolfe forgets that a good story, regardless of whether it is pulp or artistry, must entertain the reader. Calde was technically proficient, but cold and lifeless. After being mildly disappointed with the first two books, I have continued to read on, hoping that Wolfe's style would click with me. Unfortunately, it just didn't happen.

Rating:
Summary: Typical Gene Wolfe: rich in detail, character and confusion
Review: Long awaited sequel in the Book of the Long Sun. The structure of this strange place slowly comes together. It's quite incredible how the heat, the smells and the colours of this planet come to life in this series.

Rating:
Summary: Probably the best book of the four in the series
Review: The action really picks up in this one. Ultimately, the series is disappointing, though. See my review of the fourth book.