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The Shadow of the Torturer
SERIES—List & Discussions
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Book of the New Sun--THE SHADOW OF THE TORTURER: roll call and initial impressions (*NO SPOILERS*)
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I re-read this just a couple of months ago. Now it's the launchpin for our Summer Mini Series read. On June 15 we will continue on with the 2nd in the series, The Claw of the Conciliator. Until then, I hope there'll be some active discussion on "Shadow..." This series, The Book of the New Sun. tends to be a love-it or hate-it venture. For me, it's in my Mighty Handful (Top 5 favorites) of Science Fiction novels. But I've run into several others who have the extreme opposite reaction.
I'm rereading it this month to join you all. This is one of my all time favorites! Enjoy!
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I started this in audio a couple of days ago and I estimate I'm just shy of around 25%.So far its interesting and I'm curious on where it ends up going.
Read this a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. I am with Random...Curious to see where its going
I'm listening to the audiobook. I'm surprised at how modern it is. It doesn't read like Eighties genre fiction at all. I had started the first book in The Book of the Long Sun series back in the Eighties and didn't finish it. This series will be completed.
I read this last month for another club's group read - I wasn't hugely excited about reading it, but gave it a go and I'm very glad I did. Normally, a book about a torturer wouldn't be my kind of book (didn't sound like an interesting protagonist to me), but this is nothing like I expected and I ended up enjoying the book very much. More than that, I plan to read the rest of the series - it's that good.
Like Shel, I looked at it as it is the series read and thought it looked interesting. I'm also a teacher so my reading time will improve.
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But I will follow the discussion of the series and see what perhaps I missed all those years ago.
Hi I also read these years ago and cannot find the time for a reread but still interested in others thoughts.
Sandi wrote: " I had started the first book in The Book of the Long Sun series back in the Eighties and didn't finish it. This series will be completed. "Ha, that's funny. I on the other hand read the Long Sun and that got me to read the this series.
I'm about eighty pages in and having a hard time mustering the enthusiasm to continue. I don't hate the book, I'm more indifferent towards it. I like the writing, but I knew I would. I like Severian, he's interesting, but I don't feel invested in his story or his world. I can't get a good grasp of the setting or who Vodalus is, or even what Severian's guild actually does, beyond incarcerate and torture people as punishment for crimes(?). It's all kind of oblique, which is making me feel as if I'm not smart enough to get it, or it's a lot simpler than I think it must be and therefore not as interesting.
I'm disappointed. The premise was interesting and I really wanted to enjoy this book. I may pick it up again, but given I'm almost halfway through and nothing really interesting has happened, and the fact I have so many books on the TBR shelf, I probably won't.
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I'm going to be reading it nearer the end of the month, I'm so behind. Love the new house and quicker commute but missing those two hours of reading.
Kelly wrote: "I'm about eighty pages in and having a hard time mustering the enthusiasm to continue. I don't hate the book, I'm more indifferent towards it. I like the writing, but I knew I would. I like Sever..."
Don't be discouraged by thinking you're "not getting it." There have been books written about how to interpret this story. It's meant to be oblique, and I think that's why those of us who like it do so. As a reader you constantly come up with new connections between characters and events, ideas and manifestations of ideas. It boggles the mind.
Thats one of the charms of reading a Wolfe book. I liked the word you used, Oblique.
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I really enjoyed the first 50%, got fed up over the next 5ish%. Last night I made an effort to read a chunk to rekindle my interest. Looking forward to it again tonight. Mind it is oblique.
Had this book for a bit, and I will finally get a chance to get around to reading it.
Daniel wrote: "Had this book for a bit, and I will finally get a chance to get around to reading it."Please keep commenting on it in this thread and the "finished" thread when appropriate. Perhaps you can still finish it by the 15th when we start discussing no. 2 in the Series, "The Claw of the Conciliator," in a new Series read folder.
Nick wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Had this book for a bit, and I will finally get a chance to get around to reading it."Please keep commenting on it in this thread and the "finished" thread when appropriate. Perhap..."
That is the plan, to be ready to go for the Claw of the Conciliator. :)
No spoilers in this topic please!