3 ms·

Just out of curiosity... ever read anything by Gene Wolfe?

• mathieuh 6y ago
  No, do you have a recommendation? Currently hooked on the 40k Horus Heresy series, on book 34 and hope to have it finished early next year.
  • smogcutter 6y ago
    > I imagine I'm not getting the "full experience" by doing this, but even when reading big series like Malazan or the Wheel of Time I don't find I'm suddenly encountering things for the first time: the salient details seem to stick in my head. Don’t blame you with Wheel of Time, heck Jordan recycles descriptions word for word. Not parent, but for Gene Wolfe I’d recommend starting with the “Book of the New Sun” series, especially if you’re into classic fantasy. It’s really something. The thing with Wolfe though is you really gotta keep your eyes open to get much out of it. He plays a lot of games with point of view, subtext, and unreliable narrators. If you aren’t paying attention the actual story can sail right past you. Even then, there are things you’ll only pick up on the second or third time through. After that, my favorites are The Fifth Head of Cerberus and The Sorcerer’s House. New Sun is imo definitely the place to start though, it’s the closest to traditional fantasy.
    • mathieuh 6y ago
      The Horus Heresy is not much better than WoT in that regard: I must read "they grasped gauntlets in the manner of warriors" or some variation thereof at least ten times per book
  • Pamar 6y ago
    Try the first book from the New Sun cycle to see if you like the style. If yes, you'll have 4 more to enjoy. If not, give Soldier of Mist a try (style is still great but more terse).
• smogcutter 6y ago
  Hah recommending Gene Wolfe is definitely one way to teach someone to read closely...