/lit/ - Literature

>boring 1 dimensional characters
>non existent plot
>drags on for 1000 pages
>unsatisfying ending to say the least

Do people only say they like this because all of the archaic vocabulary and biblical references make them feel smart?

Bravo /lit/, very nice ruse. The book is shit

Shadow >>>>>> Claw >>>>>>>>>>>>> Sword >>>Citadel

What should I read next? I am in the mood to re read something.

>Book of the New Sun
I loved it at the beginning, but as it went on I felt like it went nowhere. I hear it is meant to be re read so I might give it another shot

>Gravities Rainbow
I hated the majority of it the first time I tried to read it, but I really enjoyed other parts. I think I have matured a little as a reader and I know what to expect so I might give it another chance, since I only got half way through last time

>Blood Merridean
This is might be my favourite novel so I want to check it out again.

What does lit think of dream sequences? I just finished The Shadow of the Torturer and my least favorite parts are the dream sequences. I've noticed this in other books as well.

Why did /lit/ tell me this was good?

I'm on my third read through with this series and I keep picking up more every time I go through it. I think I've got most of the mysteries figured out. (Who Agia is, Who Dorcas is, Who the green man is, etc.). I'm still wracking my brain over Triskele though. Right now i'm inclined to think that Triskele is simply Severian's "totem". In other words, he's a constant symbol and serves as a stable reminder/invoker of Severian's true identity. Anyone got any insights into Triskele.

Also, am I the only one who thinks this is the greatest work of the later half of the 20th century? The only other book that seems to come close is McCarthy's Blood Meridian.

The only real answer.

>>3960108

it's not science fiction?

>>3921901

Let's just get this one out of the way

The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe is pretty damn great. Especially the characters and questionable morality.
The caveat being that it's not actually fantasy or high fantasy so much as science fantasy, as it's rapidly apparent that the books take place in a future where technology is mysterious and often arcane to the majority of characters. The ruins of previous eras of civilizations.

The book is part of a collection called the Solar Cycle and those tend to be a little bit more science fantasy whereas Book of the New Sun features characters swinging swords and other traditional fantasy elements.

What do you guys think of these books? Are they as amazing as some people say?

Second run. Loving this book even more, very inspiring in all aspects.

Is there any /lit/ approved sci fi/ fantasy? I need something to take a break from my normal reading

>>3688188
To follow up, it's pretty much what you're looking for. You can read it over and over and still find new things. The work itself is full of ll kinds of crazy mindblowing shit, and can be really emotional at times too.

Not sure if they sell all 4 books in one volume, but you can get the split 2/2 editions off amazon for cheap. Have fun bro, it's one hell of a book.

Book of the New Sun

The setting is amazing and very detailed if you search out all the implications. The characters are great. The prose is very dense and dreamlike, some people would call it disjointed or even dragging, but everything mentioned has relevance to what's going on at the time, there is no filler. Gene Wolfe worked as an engineer once, and it reflects greatly in his work, it's like piecing together and you're always amazed with each piece placed and how it fits.

No.

Hell yea motherfucker

For sci-fi.

I'm surprised nobody talks much about Gene Wolfe, he's said to be the best everywhere but nobody ever talks about Book of the New Sun or anything else he wrote.

Two different reviews.


"Mostly uneventful and meandering. You never achieve the state of flow you hope for, as you scratch your head looking for meaning from plot points and blocks of text that should be serving up the "best sf novel of the century".


"I read such great things about this series that I simply had to try it myself. But after slogging through the first quarter of Shadow and Claw, I just couldn't make myself keep reading. I'm sure many people enjoy the over-description, entrance and exit of minor characters, and slow plot, but I did not. The entire novel itself seemed more like some arcane, plodding stage play than like a fantasy novel, and despite re-reading sections of the book, there were so many vague references and unexplained terms that I just felt lost. Combined with the infrequent, rambling dialogue and plot that is more like a series of very short, disjointed stories, I just gave up on it and don't think I'll pick it up again. "

>>3457287
this and this

Book of the New Sun, pretty chunky books, 4 in all. One of the greatest sci-fi books you'd read.