Shadow & Claw: The First Half of The Book of the New Sun

Gene Wolfe

Oct 1994 · New Sun Book 1 · Sold by Orb Books

About this ebook

The Book of the New Sun is unanimously acclaimed as Gene Wolfe's most remarkable work, hailed as "a masterpiece of science fantasy comparable in importance to the major works of Tolkien and Lewis" by Publishers Weekly.

Shadow & Claw brings together the first two books of the tetralogy in one volume:

The Shadow of the Torturer is the tale of young Severian, an apprentice in the Guild of Torturers on the world called Urth, exiled for committing the ultimate sin of his profession -- showing mercy toward his victim.

Ursula K. Le Guin said, "Magic stuff . . . a masterpiece . . . the best science fiction I've read in years!"

The Claw of the Conciliator continues the saga of Severian, banished from his home, as he undertakes a mythic quest to discover the awesome power of an ancient relic, and learn the truth about his hidden destiny.

"One of the most ambitious works of speculative fiction in the twentieth century." -- The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Ratings and reviews

Can be tough to follow at times, but an overall incredible work of speculative fiction told by an unreliable narrator/protagonist. Absolutely gorgeous prose throughout. Littered with references to Catholicism and Classical Myth for those well-versed (unlike myself who missed most of them until searching terms and names later on). Go in with an open mind!

Overall, I would say this book is needlessly pretentious and dull. The author has little hints of a wildly original setting for the story, but never elaborates. The book is a bit disorienting, but not in a particularly meaningful way. The characters are not likeable or even particularly unlikeable. Maybe I need to read the second book to bring everything together, but the first one was so taxing that I have no desire to do so.

I've read a great deal of Gene Wolfe but it stared with Shadow & Claw. I've loved a lot of his stories including his short stories. However, these 5 books are my favorite. I can't say his style and voice is for everyone but if you like books that challenge you to think and participate these will be for you.

About the author

Gene Wolfe (1931-2019) was the Nebula Award-winning author of The Book of the New Sun tetralogy in the Solar Cycle, as well as the World Fantasy Award winners The Shadow of the Torturer and Soldier of Sidon. He was also a prolific writer of distinguished short fiction, which has been collected in such award-winning volumes as Storeys from the Old Hotel and The Best of Gene Wolfe.

A recipient of the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement, the Edward E. Smith Memorial Award, and six Locus Awards, among many other honors, Wolfe was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2007, and named Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America in 2012.