The Shadow of the Torturer

The Book of the New Sun, Book 1

By: Gene Wolfe

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

Length: 12 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

The Shadow of the Torturer is the first volume in the four-volume epic, the tale of a young Severian, an apprentice to the Guild of Torturers on the world called Urth, exiled for committing the ultimate sin of his profession - showing mercy towards his victim.

Listen to more in the Book of the New Sun series.

©1980 Gene Wolfe (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The best science fiction novel of the last century." (Neil Gaiman)

• World Fantasy Award, Best Novel, 1981

• Favorite Audiobooks of 2010 (Fantasy Literature)

Caution

Good narration, intelligent and sometimes engrossing story. Nevertheless, dark like listening to Leonard Cohen, without his occasional humor. If you like literary and/or theological puzzle-chasing, this may be more enjoyable to you than to me. It felt like it was projecting more "weightiness" than actual weight. Pulp science fiction is always accused (rightly) of having cardboard characters, but there is only one realized character in this sophisticated series, though he is not of a type any of us is likely meet in reality. Also note that while this is classified as science fiction, it might be more properly classified as sword and sorcery set in a science fiction universe. For myself, I question whether the series was worth my 4 credits.

Slow start that gets better and better

The book starts out kind of slow but after a while it picks up speed and it was a really great "read". I highly recommend it.

The greatest book that ever put me in a bad mood.

This book is important. I can tell just be reading it. I should have read this years and years ago. My entire mood has been thrown off by this book. I find myself really beside myself. I pride myself on getting things. I have to try so hard to get this book it makes me mad. Compelling, confusing, colossal. Three words that really sum up the series. How can I explain any better? Read it, and judge for yourself.

amazing

I really enjoyed listening to this book. The author has an amazing descriptive style without falling into the usual trap in genre novels of trying too hard to explain everything about the world/society that they've created. Definitely not a book for someone looking for a straightforward plot, it kind of meanders through the story, never really revealing where it is going or what might or might not be important. The narrator's voice was perfect for the tone of the novel. Warning, it does end kind of in the middle of things. Can't wait to download the next book!

Great books but difficult to understand

The writing style here is incredible but it takes a bit of getting used to. The story is interesting and complex and sometimes I floundered. But it was a great series and I am very glad I purchased them. I recommend them for sure.

Beautifully Boring

I must confess I struggled to end this book. It seemed to me not far from the story of a whiney boy's crush, followed by a series of absolutely unconnected and mostly uninteresting adventures. The characters seemed one-dimensional and the plot lacking.

However it does have one of the most beautiful prose in a fantasy book I have had the opportunity to read. It made the book astonishingly beautiful to listen to, but utterly boring to continue listening.

The narration by Jonathan Davis was clean and he gave life to the characters, however it was slow and, at times, he seemed just as bored by the story as I was.

Long story short, if you like works of literature get this book immediately. If you're looking for an interesting read, with awesome character development, I would go somewhere else.

narration too quiet

like the dramatic stuff, but audiobooks are best for when one is in the car or other noisy places, and this narration was often too quiet to hear, necessitating frequent changes in volume or earsplitting sections after trying to hear a quiet bit. story was excellent however.

Mercy is grounds for expulsion

Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer is the initial installment in his Book of the New Sun series. Set in what is presumed to be a deprecated earth future, the story concerns Severian, a junior member of the torturer's guild. The guild serves the ruler and simply carries out instructions. Severian is "technically" expelled for showing mercy to a prisoner under their control. Mercy is providing her the means to commit suicide. To avoid bad press, the guild reassigns Severian to a frontier post, letting him keep his credentials as a torturer and executioner. The bulk of the tale involves his travel to his new posting.

Wolfe creates a richly detailed world that is firmly in the Middle Ages. At the same time, there is a mysterious rebel leader that Severian met in his younger days and is indirectly responsible for his guild slip. He is easily duped along the way and encounters a wide array of questionable characters. There is also the curious incident of his not dying from poison that is never fully explained. The tale ends suddenly with minimal resolution of his current condition, far from his intended destination.

The narration is excellent with exceptional character distinction. Pacing is brisk and well aligned with a fast moving plot.

More Literature than Genre Fiction

To me, this is the Dune of the 'Dying Earth' subgenre started, possibly, by Jack Vance. It is filled with baroque and evocative prose. I found Jonathan Davis' performance to be a great match to Gene Wolfe's style and diction.

Amazing

Wow.... I can not recommend this enough. Mr Wolfe is a master of his craft.