THE SHADOW OF THE TORTURER / Gene Wolfe / Book Review / Brian Lee Durfee ( spoiler free)

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

Watch my Top Ten Classic Novels video here kzbin.info/www/bejne/pp-6iapthtx-htU

[@Mark-iv6yg]

These books are dazzling, like walking through someone’s dreams and nightmares, an extraordinary feat of writing...

[@edwardnile1958]

The Book of the New Sun series is nothing short of a masterpiece. I remember having this exact edition when I was a kid, and even though I barely understood the book on my first read, it stuck with me until my adult years. I've now read the series three times and each time I do I discover something I didn't catch before. These books are a beautifully written puzzle and I love them. Aaaallmost enough to buy the Folio Society illustrated hardcovers out right now.

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

Now I'm looking at buying all the different editions myself

[@Ytnzy250]

On par with George RR Martin?

[@MacNasty11]

@@Ytnzy250 I’d say that Martin has his place in the top, but The Book of the New Sun series is far beyond even that. It is one of the top 3 literary feats of the last 100 years.

[@gabeguerrero7865]

I started reading "Shadow of the Torturer" a couple of weeks ago and set it down since I wasn't feeling it. However, your enthusiasm is infectious, so I am going to keep going.

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

Its definitely an acquired taste

[@stephenmorton8017]

did you find it excruciating?

[@tasosalexiadis7748]

Actually there is a really complex and amazing plot to the whole novel (consider the Book of the New Sun as a single novel in four volumes, where Shadow is the first), but you have to piece it together. The surface plot is like you said.

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

Ya imma have to reread to next book soon and then all the rest

[@Dylankiwi1]

I recently finished the 4 books of the Book of the New Sun (BOTNS), read it for 2-3 months I really love my read. Its fascinating to see other people perspectives on it, especially how the dog sequence resonated with ya. Like my interpretation of BOTNS premise, it's more from the far future they haven't really regressed to medieval times more so Severian never bothers to acknowledge his surroundings ( the technological aspects). A lot of the magic mostly can be explained with technology. In my view, I consider Sci-fi in disguise but read like a fantasy. It has some of the most fascinating character explorations I have read in science fiction, especially when you have read the series as a whole and you have that certain context. Anyways keen to see reviews for book 2-4

[@expressoric]

I've read it twice. It remains cryptic, but that's what makes it's great.

[@bookgirl1195]

Gene Wolfe is one of my boyfriend's favorite writers. He's been trying to get me to read him for a long time. I read a short story called The Fifth Head of Cerberus and wasn't deeply impressed. Maybe his actual novels will be much better.

[@etluxaeterna]

marry him he's a keeper

[@screambleeddierot9521]

You're boyfriend? Ew, you're gay?

[@therealbroga]

When this book first came out, I thought this was the coolest cover I had ever seen (the word 'dope' was still being used for something else).

[@bmoneybby]

Haha. When I was a kid "fire" just meant hot flames, but as the kids these days would say, "those covers are fire."

[@MayteraMarble]

I absolutely LOVE The Book of the New Sun. There is really nothing else like it.

[@chasepavlas2118]

Top 5 fantasy book cover ever!

[@Vandervecken]

The alzebo creeps the hell out of me. I think that was in Sword of the Lictor?

[@burton1ify]

Better make that Top 22 book covers video! And honorable mentions....

[@MrBendybruce]

Initially, this book frustrated me. The writing was so lyrical, but I was like, "what is it actually about?" But I stuck with it when the mood struck me, and I'm glad I did. The allegory and metaphors in this book are so unique and original, I wonder how he ever thought of them, and some of the character interactions are so good, it kind of makes up for the paper thin plot.

[@OrlandoOrtiz570]

Ngl, when Severian said, "The hope in her voice reminded me of a flower growing in shadow." I kinda flipped out like I heard an Eminem line from the 90's. 😅

[@maxittome]

Almost done reading book one, the Shadow of the Torturer, and can’t help but think that if Friedrich Nietzsche ever wrote sci-fi fantasy, this is what he would come up with. I do love the book and I agree with everything you have said. I look forward to reading the complete set and I can’t wait to see what happens.

[@AverageJoesLibrary]

This series are on my list for next year. I am unsure how it will go because I don't like "thin on plot" and lots of talking and prose but sometimes it can be done well. excited either way.

[@electrichorseman7158]

Thank you Brian for your videos ..I ordered two books of yours last week ..finally came into yesterday….can’t wait to start them ..so again ,thank you Brian

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

Thank you!!!

[@FranzBazar]

Brian you had me almost constantly laughing in this one. I always get at least a few chuckles from your videos but this one especially! Always makes me say ‘I love that guy! ‘ Wondering if you reviewed the other Gene Wolfe books in this series and/or any of his other books? Yeah his writing is just amazing. I’ve started this book, I’ve read many rave reviews of course but also lots of people complaining that there’s no plot etc. etc. Yes lots of hard words even I have to look up and I always got straight A’s in English because I was constantly reading since I was little! Anyway I’m enjoying this book even within the first few pages just because the writing is so enjoyable. I think this might be one of those cases where the journey itself Is the prize. anyway I hope you did more Gene Wolfe, I’ll go look, and keep up the awesome work Mr. Durfee!

[@Speed202]

You've really sold me on checking out this book. It sounds like my cup of tea....

[@spiritjestertimecube8819]

Im also a huge fan of the original art for the color, so mysterious and cool; love these books as well

[@rabidspatula1013]

Fascinating series. Not for everyone, but for those that dig the vibe, world, and tone its a gripping read.

[@stephenmorton8017]

i started this recently and agree with every word thou hast uttered. (the ONLY thing i'd quibble with is the size of the moon. it is rotating away from us and thus growing smaller.) these are the kind of books one savors, the writing is so good. the dialog engaging and matter of fact. the setting is medieval ultra high technology with people of different time periods intermingling and superluminal transit almost antique. it's written as a future history or memoir by a man with the memory of a savant, cursed or blessed with total recall. he is feared, hated and admired. i'd compare it with the Glass Bead Game. right up there with Anathem. the cover is great. hood, cloak , mask and sword. he smiles when exiled, something in him soared. well i guess so, having spent all his life working in an oubliette of metal that doesn't give a hairsbreadth under the heaviest of footfall. HA! great.

[@harrison_williams]

Never heard BOTNS compared to Cormac McCarthy, but it’s obvious now that you say it.

[@electrichorseman7158]

Glad you look at covers of the books also …

[@GeekofMordor]

Give me 5 reasons why I should start your series ?

[@readingreignbro5680]

That cover art IS rad. Kind of reminds me of the Coldfire Trilogy covers by Michael Whelan but probably even cooler.

[@jdsantibanez]

Great review, as always.

[@seanr8213]

I read this series as a teenager in the early 80s when sci fi and fantasy was hobbits, elric, conan and maybe thieves world, asimov, and heinlen were considered the classics and gene wolfe blew that shit away. My geek friends asked me to loan them each book in the series because of the twisted paperback covers and totally uncharacteristically returned them ASAP immediately because they didnt want to be responsible for promoting them and scaring the parents and teachers. What is a grimdark?

[@stephenmorton8017]

that's what happened to me for reading Castaneda. what a joke.

[@bloozism]

How do these books look without the dust jackets?

[@bmoneybby]

Those covers are fye errr.

[@JoelAdamson]

Alzabo soup for dinner tonight!

[@brianholly3555]

Severian loves Dorcas 💔

[@epiphoney]

This book just seemed like a lot of work to me, something made for other writers. But it was a long time ago when I tried. To me the story should come first and the theme second, like Stephen King says in On Writing.

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

It is work for sure. You have to be in the right mood

[@Ytnzy250]

Similar to Game of Thrones?

[@tasosalexiadis7748]

Jon Snow basically is partially modeled after the protagonist of this novel. Martin is a fan of this work.

[@kellerglee]

There’s even a character called Hethor haha!

[@thomasr7292]

Very nice review, but this is absolutely not spoiler free.

[@lukeroberts1234]

Apocalyptical??? 😂❤

[@lughmanwatandust1020]

I really loved your books but this book was really awful