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"Wonderfully vivid and inventive...the most extraordinary hero in the history of the heroic epic." --Washington Post Book World
"Brilliant...terrific...a fantasy so epic it beggars the mind. An extraordinary work of art!" --Philadelphia Inquirer
Product Description
The Sword of the Lictor is the third volume in Wolfe's remarkable epic, chronicling the odyssey of the wandering pilgrim called Severian, driven by a powerful and unfathomable destiny, as he carries out a dark mission far from his home.
The Citadel of the Autarch brings The Book of the New Sun to its harrowing conclusion, as Severian clashes in a final reckoning with the dread Autarch, fulfilling an ancient prophecy that will forever alter the realm known as Urth.
"Brilliant . . . terrific . . . a fantasy so epic it beggars the mind. An extraordinary work of art!"-Philadelphia Inquirer
"The Book of the New Sun establishes [Wolfe's] preeminence, pure and simple. . . . The Book of the New Sun contains elements of Spenserian allegory, Swiftian satire, Dickensian social consciousness and Wagnerian mythology. Wolfe creates a truly alien social order that the reader comes to experience from within . . . once into it, there is no stopping."--The New York Times Book Review
"It was in my hair, Severian," Dorcas said. Read the first page
Concordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Half of the best Sci-Fi novel written to date,
By
This review is from: Sword & Citadel: The Second Half of 'The Book of the New Sun' (Paperback)
The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe, is -- simply put -- the best written novel of the science fiction genre ever written. Subtle plot, text, fascinating characters, intriguing science concepts, and above all articulate writting: this has them all.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A worthy 4 1/2 Star Account,
By
This review is from: Sword & Citadel: The Second Half of 'The Book of the New Sun' (Paperback)
Gene Wolfe, here in Sword & Citadel, has managed to address some of the vagueries I found perplexing in the tetralogy's predecessor. The volumes seems more focused and driven, while, at the same time, not losing the meticulous prose that is his hallmark.Indeed, Severian's tale has him travelling from north of Thrax, through the corridors of time, and, ultimately, back to the Citadel of the Autarch. I don't think it unfair to state that Severian, in this tale, doesn't achieve consummate happiness. As with the first book, he seems to radiate health for the unwell and (as with Angela Lansbury in 'Murder She Wrote') unhappiness for those near (up to and including) himself. At the least, some of the mysteries of the tetralogy are resolved late in the book (4). Given Mr. Wolfe's style, it is not surprising that the book is 'thick' despite being a mere 400 pages. Nonetheless, I found it disappointing that the ending seemed rushed: an "I need 20 more pages" theme seemed to carry it. Hence, in this reviewers eyes, it ended with a whimper and not a bang. The bottom line: I would recommend 'The Book of the New Sun' (both books, comprised of four volumes). I don't know that I would equate it to the literary masterpieces on its jacket as Wolfe, through his protagonist, does not use the vocabulary of the common man. This will, I fear, cause this tale to fade in its being read. And that would be a great loss.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Renewed my faith in science fiction / fantasy,
By Peleg (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Sword & Citadel: The Second Half of 'The Book of the New Sun' (Paperback)
Every few years I discover a book that reminds me why I began reading science fiction and fantasy in the first place. At it's best, the genre gives an author complete freedom to discuss ideas and stories that expand our imaginations while also illuminating our own human nature by placing characters in situations beyond our normal everyday existence. The result can be both extremely entertaining and inspirational. Wolfe's Book of the New Sun is science fiction / fantasy at its best.Unlike some other reviewers, I didn't find Wolfe's prose difficult at all. It isn't even in the same league as Ulysses. I found it very readable, not at all requiring the intense concentration as the work of a Joyce or a Faulkner. And while it certainly doesn't match the work of those masters, it's a pleasure to read and is still a very intelligent, thought provoking book. But if you want good mindless space operas or swashbucklers (which can be fun to read sometimes), read some David Drake or Robert Jordan instead. Wolfe's book is on a different level than most of the pulp sci-fi/fantasy that gets published nowadays. One caveat - the protagonist of the Book of the New Sun is raised as a torturer in a decadent world. As such, he does some pretty reprehensible things. While it's not any more graphic than it needs to be, I wouldn't recommend this work to younger readers. Severian is not an anti-hero in the vein of Donaldson's Thomas Covenant, but neither is he the idealized sypathetic character many authors choose as their protagonist. Severian is a likable hero, and very human, but he certainly isn't a role model to be emulated.
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