I felt the same way about the second half on my first time through. But after rereading the series, that changed completely. I am now rereading it a third time, and it keeps getting better. It's just very cryptic and dense for a single read through (in my opinion). And going back in, knowing what you know, reveals new things, and gives more elements of the story meaning. I still feel like the third book is comparatively slow going, and find it a bit harder to read than the other 3.
There is a fifth book which is essential to understand the saga: Urth of the New Sun. It is as eventful and full of rewarding twists as the third book.
@@UbiquitousBooks I first read Shadow and Claw almost a decade ago, but didn't finish the series until after I read The Fifth Head of Cerberus (and upon loving it and realizing it was the same author, re-reading Shadow and Claw and then the second half) within the last year. Although I wouldn't use the same descriptions you use here, I did feel that it was not following an arc series or plot that met my expectations. Since finishing it I really like the books- and I'd like to point out that the conflict in the north is mentioned multiple times within The Shadow of the Torturer, so it actually does make sense that he would show up in the north at some point.
All down to personal preference and opinion of course but couldn’t disagree more about the structure of the book as Wolfe planned it that way with intent and I for one never found the journey lose its lustre.
The third book was way bigger than the first two, so Gene split it in two and added some parts. That may be why the pacing felt off to you. I find his work is more like the way things happen to people than conforming to narrative plot conventions. Like a fantastical biography more than a fantasy novel. Also, in Gene Wolfe, part of the plot happens off the page, but is solvable by attentive readers. You may enjoy it more on a re-read. Also, the nudity in the illustrations is a deal-breaker for me. Wolfe's work transcends the genre, but those images make it look lurid and pulpy.
@@Signal_in_the_noise don't like it. Don't want it in my house. Don't want my kids looking at it. Don't want my kids to see me looking at it. If that's strange, guess I'm a weirdo.
I absolutely adore the BOTNS, despite not agreeing with it's ultimate premise and idea. (SPOILERS) .. I mean ultimately it's basically a type of religious propaganda, everything is tied to the creator/God. This doesn't come through as much when you first read it. But over the story if slowly becomes clear that Severian, and probably Gene see humanity as irredeemable. Hence Severian holds human's in an ignorant state like the Autarch before him so he can try to basically destroy / flood the world, wipe out much of humanity and then kick start a whole new world and people (the green dudes, which I wasn't a fan off) Any form of progress is seen as toxic. The Ascians are Russians/USSR, only they are also ascribed qualities of capitalism, they display the worst parts of humanity and have no personalities, they are devoid of any pleasure, hope, will of their own, opinions etc etc. They are just robots repeating the party approved lines. But with that Gene lumps in technology, progress, expansion all as bad things. Typhon is the devil. But arguably Typhon despite being evil has far nobler intentions than Severian. Severian wants to wipe humanity out. Typhon wants to return humanity to its former glory. The aliens, the AI and Severian all believe that this is wrong (the green men don't want it because it endangers their future) for humanity to expand or return to their former power because .. uhh humanity brings with it war and stuff. So what ..bend before the humans filthy xenos. No seriously though, I didn't find those compelling arguments. The idea that humanity is beyond redemption and basically "corrupted beyond repair" is dumb to me and seems like the ideas of a man that believes in original sin. The previous autarch btw is a fembro because he tried the same thing, failed and God? then took his cock away for failing. Yes, failing means you are no longer allowed to procreate. Meanwhile succeeding means the end of the human race on earth (aside from those the aliens save) and sends Severian back in time so he can set up the events for his future self to wipe out humanity. The humans that are saved by the aliens seem to get super short lifespans and seem to become their pet species, perfectly docile zoo animals. But despite not a agreeing with the philosophy, man is this book a work of brilliance when it comes to how it's written. Still need to read the urth of the new sun. But reading this series was a real trip.
Thanks for commenting. Yes, this is a rare example of sci-fi/fantasy with real literary credentials and I found its world quite engrossing for that reason. But, as you say, it goes off in a slightly weird and perhaps philosophical direction that didn't accord very well with me. But I see why some people love it.
