Kevin's Watch

duke wrote:I've now finished The Gunslinger and have started Dark Tower book 2, "The Drawing of the Three".

Loved The Gunslinger. For many reasons, a few are - punchy prose, the myriad of ideas and concepts thrown together and only partially revealed, and an imposing and stolidly charismatic lead character. I forgot how well King does "menacing" and the action in the Gunslinger had me reading just as fast as I could.

Not many authors get me doing that.

I hope the rest of the series can live up to "The Gunslinger"

Syl wrote:Ok, as I've previously mentioned, I'm re-reading The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe. I've gathered that most here haven't read it, but if you have, please show your support of or dissent to my rant.

Wolfe is a freakin' genius. I cannot currently consider myself skilled, insightful, or even worthy enough to write something of this level. Sure, Donaldson and other such masters have daunted me, but I've never experienced the complete sensation of dread in comparing myself, comparing my works in their utmost fantistical potential, to his writing. The most simple examples of his prose are more brilliantly crafted than the few shining lines of poetry I've slogged out. I've compared Wolfe to James Joyce in the past, but I believe Dylan Thomas might be more appropriate. This is not prose as we know it.

My eyes have been opened in a way they weren't the first time I encountered this work. In the way I've grown and learned in the six years between readings, I realize that it will probably take me another six years at least to fully appreciate New Sun.

I can't compare Wolfe to Donaldson. It is almost literally like comparing night to day. All I can say is that I'm feeling the same amount of awe in this reading as I did the second time I read the chronicles. Both are too intricate and potent to fully sink in at first exposure, but after it gets under your skin...

Fanboy moment over.

Ok, as I've previously mentioned, I'm re-reading The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe. I've gathered that most here haven't read it, but if you have, please show your support of or dissent to my rant.

Wolfe is a freakin' genius. I cannot currently consider myself skilled, insightful, or even worthy enough to write something of this level. Sure, Donaldson and other such masters have daunted me, but I've never experienced the complete sensation of dread in comparing myself, comparing my works in their utmost fantistical potential, to his writing. The most simple examples of his prose are more brilliantly crafted than the few shining lines of poetry I've slogged out. I've compared Wolfe to James Joyce in the past, but I believe Dylan Thomas might be more appropriate. This is not prose as we know it.

My eyes have been opened in a way they weren't the first time I encountered this work. In the way I've grown and learned in the six years between readings, I realize that it will probably take me another six years at least to fully appreciate New Sun.

I can't compare Wolfe to Donaldson. It is almost literally like comparing night to day. All I can say is that I'm feeling the same amount of awe in this reading as I did the second time I read the chronicles. Both are too intricate and potent to fully sink in at first exposure, but after it gets under your skin...

Fanboy moment over.

Phantasm wrote:

Syl wrote:Ok, as I've previously mentioned, I'm re-reading The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe. I've gathered that most here haven't read it, but if you have, please show your support of or dissent to my rant.

Wolfe is a freakin' genius. I cannot currently consider myself skilled, insightful, or even worthy enough to write something of this level. Sure, Donaldson and other such masters have daunted me, but I've never experienced the complete sensation of dread in comparing myself, comparing my works in their utmost fantistical potential, to his writing. The most simple examples of his prose are more brilliantly crafted than the few shining lines of poetry I've slogged out. I've compared Wolfe to James Joyce in the past, but I believe Dylan Thomas might be more appropriate. This is not prose as we know it.

My eyes have been opened in a way they weren't the first time I encountered this work. In the way I've grown and learned in the six years between readings, I realize that it will probably take me another six years at least to fully appreciate New Sun.

I can't compare Wolfe to Donaldson. It is almost literally like comparing night to day. All I can say is that I'm feeling the same amount of awe in this reading as I did the second time I read the chronicles. Both are too intricate and potent to fully sink in at first exposure, but after it gets under your skin...

Fanboy moment over.

I remember reading this years ago, but don't recall too much about the story to be honest. I do remember thinking it was great though.

I might just pop round to my local library on Monday and see if I can pick this up for a re read.

Rama spoke. 'Guru-dev, by your admission, the maharishi took samadhi. Is that not the same as leaving the mortal plane?'
'Nearly so, Rama. Yet not quite. Samadhi is the ultimate penance. A total surrendering of one's physical body in order to immerse oneself completely in the flow of brahman. When a mortal undertakes it, it is equivalent to fasting unto death. But the Seven Seers may sustain themselves on brahman itself, eschewing mortal necessities such as food and air indefinitely. Gautama remains alive within.....