Gene Wolfe, SF Grand Master, RIP

[smac]

Boo. But a long innings, etc.:

 

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/apr/16/gene-wolfe-science-fiction-author-dies-aged-87

[Flub]

Bought myself a Kindle copy of 5th Head of Cerberus when I heard. Haven't read it since I was a teenager.

[ZOK]

I’ve never heard of him! That Book of the New Sun is on my audible list now though.

[Uncle Mike]

How can you never have heard of him, ZOK? That makes no sense. 

 

I am not embarrassed to admit that I don't get the New Sun. It's really evocative of something, but I just lost grip of it all somewhere along the line.

 

But I do have some stuff of his that's properly great.

[ZOK]

I know, I’m surprised myself, but there is always something New under the Sun.

 

(Clever Gene Wolfe wordplay, cheers.)

[Lovelyman]

I tried to read the Book of the New Sun again not too long ago. It's so weird. He's clearly a fantastic writer though. I loved a lot of the Whorl books (In Green's Jungles, On Blue's Waters and Return to the Whorl) but I got lost again at some point where I got so mixed up I lost interest. 

 

Love that someone like him was able to write and be pretty successful at it.

[Lovelyman]

This is my favourite opening of any book I think.

 

[SM47]

I think TBOTNS is a great read. It can be very dense but I found it ultimately a rewarding experience. I think a lot of the world building of contemporary sf/fantasy writers like Mark Lawrence and China Mieville owe a huge debt to Gene Wolfe so if anybody is unsure and likes those folk, you'd get something out of it 

[Lovelyman]

For those who have read all of his stuff, what's the most accessible?

[Uncle Mike]

Sorceror's House, probably. Short and easy.

 

EDIT: Although I haven't read all his stuff by a long shot.