Wolfe is by far one of the most didactic authors I’ve come across! This book is definitely one of his biggest achievements, other than his work in the Korean War & creation of the Pringle !
The Urth of the New Sun does not only answer mysteries but continues the story of Severian to its logical conclusion. Some of the best scenes of the whole story are in this book. For that it is a must read, though I agree it is better read later. I read it two years after I finished Citadel.
Absolutely read Urth. It is not a Coda. It is the fifth book of a five book series. You may as well have quit after sotl if you’re not going to actually finish the series.
That part where he tells you to reread it is so good! Also the bit where he just straight-out says that sometimes deus ex machina is a warranted device. You'll be surprised by how much is already revealed in the early books but easily overlooked. Technically Severian tells the reader in the first chapter that he is the Autarch for example. And then there's all the references to literature and history including a Borges homage, that moon landing picture and the Jungle Book retelling. I would definitely advise a reread of the four books before moving on to Urth. Btw. have you figured out where on our planet all of this takes place yet? Anyways, glad you had so much fun with it!
I love how Wolfe wrote the series designed to be reread. Now that you’ve finished it on a reread you’ll notice that there are hints about how the books will end planted in the first chapters of book one that you missed the first time. He put those secrets there to be unearthed (or should I say unurthed?) on a reread. He also packs them full of stuff but keeps them short, making rereading it a much higher possibility. (It always makes me laugh when Wheel of Time fans say it gets so much better on a reread. Boiiiiii no one has time for that!!!!!)
Gah damn, you ripped through this faster than I thought you would haha. I'm very glad you enjoyed it as much as I did. Wanting to immediately reread it is relatable as fuck. There's something just so addictive about the crypitc feeling these books provide. And I've had the exact same hesitation as you about reading Urth of the New Sun. I love the magic of being lost, so I haven't read it myself yet, as it seems like it might explain a lot of the magic away. I'm giving the series another read before I move onto the rest of the Solar Cycle, of which I've heard mixed things about (which honestly makes me more interested because I heard mixed things about BotNS itself before reading it), and I do recommend you do the same if you're feeling hesitant like me. Just within the first few chapters, I caught so much important shit. Also, UotNS was written like 4 years after BotNS and wasn't a part of the original plan, as far as I'm aware, so I feel comfortable taking my time before I move on. Anyway, it's been a damn pleasure watching these reviews, and I'm very happy that you enjoyed the recommendation.
Personally I’d say read Urth. While the main series is fresh in your mind finish off with the coda and I think it really helps you piece things together on a reread. Wolfe and a lot of mega Wolfe fans say that all the answers are in the four books…but I think it would take a LOT of study to find many of them. Urth gives you some answers but you leave with even more questions than you do definitive answers. But that’s just my take. You do what you must. 🫡
