If you asked me who the greatest fiction writer in the English language was — living or dead — I’d give an answer that isn’t in many top ten lists: Gene Wolfe.
Very interesting stuff. I personally think evil guest, and its companion pieces “tree is my hat” and “memorare”, plus some other one I haven’t read yet, are very very good. They all seem to be about tombs, in the same way fifth head is all about twins killing each other and assuming their identities. I prefer that cycle to botns, though I haven’t finished the latter. Also ern smithe is good
Wolfe produced a truly mind-boggling amount of good work. Admittedly, I haven't read *An Evil Guest* so I'm sort of working off of years of reading discussions and commentary. *A Borrowed Man* has been on the list for a while too.
Yes! I’ve met Ada a few times at conventions, she’s wonderful. She has a very different sensibility about some things, but she shares Wolfe’s fascination with subjectivity.
You should read it and let me know if you feel differently. That's one where I think it gets demoted just because it's so different from his other work, much more straightforward.
I read long sun a long time ago, i didn't hate it but it didn't have the same juice as the earlier stuff. Soldier of sidon and wizard knight i found almost unreadable.
Thanks a million for this. I've known Wolfe's name since forever but was put off by the number and apparent cross-genre nature of his titles. I'm intrigued now!
Very interesting stuff. I personally think evil guest, and its companion pieces “tree is my hat” and “memorare”, plus some other one I haven’t read yet, are very very good. They all seem to be about tombs, in the same way fifth head is all about twins killing each other and assuming their identities. I prefer that cycle to botns, though I haven’t finished the latter. Also ern smithe is good
good.
Wolfe produced a truly mind-boggling amount of good work. Admittedly, I haven't read *An Evil Guest* so I'm sort of working off of years of reading discussions and commentary. *A Borrowed Man* has been on the list for a while too.
FYI the one I haven’t read yet is Christmas inn
I'm actively re-reading the Wizard Knight! And I had started the Book of the New Sun again, but had to set down for a bit.
Any familiarity with Ada Palmer? I think she matches Wolfe in world building.
Yes! I’ve met Ada a few times at conventions, she’s wonderful. She has a very different sensibility about some things, but she shares Wolfe’s fascination with subjectivity.
Very cool! I know so few who even know about her. 'Different sensibility' tracks with her writing 100%.
I know its in the bottom tier but devil in the forest sounds so interesting
You should read it and let me know if you feel differently. That's one where I think it gets demoted just because it's so different from his other work, much more straightforward.
On it🫡
i find there's a line beyond which i simply don't care for his stuff, and it's, uh, late 80s? Around soldier of arete, which is great.
late wolfe for me descends into people explaining what they think the plot might be to each other too much to be enjoyable.
that's still a full treasure chest of wonderful books though, i agree with your ranking and suggested order completely.
Not a fan of Long Sun / Short Sun? Looking at his bibliography again, he really drops off for me around 2001.
I read long sun a long time ago, i didn't hate it but it didn't have the same juice as the earlier stuff. Soldier of sidon and wizard knight i found almost unreadable.
Thanks for this. Introduced me to some new Wolfe. Botns has become a strange sort of comfort book for me
Thanks a million for this. I've known Wolfe's name since forever but was put off by the number and apparent cross-genre nature of his titles. I'm intrigued now!
These sound awesome! Thanks for the reccs and detailed guidance on how to approach the works.
I am of course on the side of anyone evangelizing for Wolfe, but I must take issue:
1) Wizard Knight… doesn’t have the religious underpinnings? Sir, I invite you to read again.
2) Nothing the man wrote is bad. Certainly some of his work is spellbinding and some is merely exceptionally compelling.