The Knight

[Alcareru]

The Knight by Gene Wolfe. Has anyone else picked this up? I guess its just out this month. To be honest I read very little fantasy or sci fi, tho I do enjoy the genre rpg wise. I like Howard and Tolkien, Asimov and Bradbury maybe a few others.

This weekend I was looking for book to get me thru the post christmas blahs.I had never read any of Wolfs's stuff before, but this book has totally blown me away. There is no way I could begin to explain the plot that it would make sense. Its not thats its complicated its just so, odd. Very fairy taleish but so well done.

Anybody else?

 

[Alcareru]

I just finished this last night after trying to ration out the last 80 pages. I eagerly look forward to book 2.

Get this book.

Btw are Gene Wolfe's other novels any good> Opinions or recommendations?

 

[myrdden]

Could you give a brief non-spoiler description of the plot? I've seen the book but am unsure whether to pick it up.

Myrdden

 

[Alcareru]

Could you give a brief non-spoiler description of the plot? I've seen the book but am unsure whether to pick it up.

Myrdden

Hmm thats kind of difficult actually. The story itself is The Hero's Jorney. Its narrated by the protaganist a boy named Able who is transported from our world to another. He knows this but cant remember details from the his old home, like his name.

Anyway the boy embarks on a quest to become a knight. Along the way he encounters many supernatural and fantastic creatures. BAsically thats it.

Now I know this sounds stupid-been done before. However the book is told from the protaginst's point of view, in the form of a letter he is writing to his brother. Despite the things that happen to him he keeps a boy's childlike often naive view of things.And because of this point fo view, we as readers arent always completely sure what's going on, or what direction the plot is actually going toward. Its hard to explain spoiler free.

Its well written IMHO and the characters are quite memorable, the world (seven worlds actually) is wonderful. The author has taken classic elements of fantasy and the above mentioned Hero's Journey and renders in a fresh and completely cliche free way.

Just my 2 cents at least.

 

[Wormwood]

Sounds interesting, but I can't help the feeling that I've read this before

 

[Alcareru]

Sounds interesting, but I can't help the feeling that I've read this before

Perhaps, I dont recall reading that book. The thing is, Able knows he was from somewhere is but isnt quite sure. He has vague remembrances of it, but basically he just a kid, even as "grows" into manhood.

Again it really difficult to decribe the plot, because it isnt "hero transported to face a dark lord a free the world" sort of thing.

 

[jester47]

And keep in mind while plots may be the same, stories can be completely different.

Aaron.

 

[jester47]

Also, Sword and Citadel Along with Shadow and Claw are supposed to be very good. These are actually four books:

Shadow of the Torturer
Claw of the Conciliator
Sword of the Lictor
Citadel of the Autarch

I have not read them (they are on my list) but apparently he uses influences from Dickens to Kafka.

Aaron.

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

Btw are Gene Wolfe's other novels any good> Opinions or recommendations?

I haven't read any of Gene Wolfe's other novels, but they have been recommended to me many times over, especially the Book of the New Sun series (Shadow & Claw, Sword & Citadel).

I know Mr. Wolfe's editor at Tor Books (David Hartwell), and he considers Gene to be the greatest living SF/Fantasy writer today. This is high praise coming from someone who is probably the most well read person I have ever met, and whose knowledge about SF/Fantasy goes above and beyond anyone I knew when I was an assistant editor.

Hope that helps.

 

[MarauderX]

Gene Wolf is great, IMO. I have loved the book of the New Sun so far, though I have slowed down a bit on the Citadel. It's good stuff, definitely more thought out writing, and expounds with ideas and insights. I would begin with The New Sun series before going to the others, and you can find a whole slew of other goodies here.