The Urth of the New Sun

The Book of the New Sun, Book 5

By: Gene Wolfe

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

Length: 13 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

The long awaited audiobook sequel to Gene Wolfe's four-volume classic, The Book of the New Sun.

Listeners return to the world of Severian, now the Autarch of Urth, as he leaves the planet on one of the huge spaceships of the alien Hierodules to travel across time and space to face his greatest test, to become the legendary New Sun or die. The strange, rich, original spaceship scenes give way to travels in time, wherein Severian revisits times and places which fill in parts of the background of the four-volume work, that will thrill and intrigue particularly listeners who enjoyed the earlier books. But The Urth of the New Sun is an independent structure all of a piece, an integral masterpiece to shelve beside the classics, one itself.

©1987 Gene Wolfe (P)2018 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“The Urth of the New Sun is a fine coda to what is arguable the finest piece of literature American science fiction has yet produced, the four-volume Book of the New Sun.” —Chicago Sun-Times

“Gene Wolfe's new book soars, falls free, runs like the river that runs through it from universe to universe, between life and death and life again. The groundnote of it all is human pain, so that this fantasy has the weight of vision.” —Ursula K. Le Guin

“Gene Wolfe's four-volume magnum opus, The Book of the New Sun, is one of the modern masterpieces of imaginative literature--an evocation of a world so far in the future that magic and technology, poetry and science, are indistinguishable,a world heavy with time but yet bereft of hope, a world brought to life by Mr. Wolfe's unique blend of slightly archaic diction and ever-surprising vocabulary. Readers familiar with these volumes will find much to enjoy in The Urth of the new Sun.” —The New York Times

Wow, what an experience

This series is magnanimous, with a scope I have never encountered before. I mean, this series truly is one of the most brilliant pieces of sci-fi I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I have a handful of favorites and this series just made it onto that shelf. I most definitely will read the entire series again, and until I do, I am sure I will never forget this experience and it will live with me for forever-more. I have thoroughly enjoyed stories that allow the audience to co-create the world along with the author (think, the Never Ending Story), and this book is the godfather and granddaddy of that style. I intend to think deeply upon the narrative, and I look forward to co-creating within the gaps so that I could circle back and find more deeper and meaningful experiences on the second run through.

good book

This is probably my favorite of the series. I wasn't a huge fan of the first two books but they were certainly necessary for this 5th book. I enjoyed the Messianic aspects. overall a good listen.

Yes! Finally!

I've been reading and rereading all of The New Sun series, both in paper and audio form, and have missed having a good studio version of book five, I. E. Wolfe's great trick of extending his series in order to answer (still in Wolfe-y fashion) a few more questions raised by the first four. So happy to have a complete audio set to dive between the sun's now.

The Most Captivating Science Fiction Story Ever

Gene Wolfe is a genius and master story teller. I’m so blessed to be able to experience this story.

Beautiful coda to a master piece

The book of the new sun marked my introduction to the writing of Gene Wolfe whose work I have become obsessed with since. I'm openly admitting to my bias here. Though I felt this one differed from the books of the tetralogy in overall tone and pacing, there are some very interesting loose ends tied up in interesting ways I had not imagined. So much so that I will need to read this one a second time to truly appreciate. Davis' narration is beyond great as always. For hardcore Wolfe fans I'd say it's a must read. For fans of the book of the new sun left wanting more, I recommend this but not without saying to expect something a bit different.

Gene Wolfe Rules

This book is sick, confusing, very well written, very tight book that I enjoyed

Jonathan Davis is a master storyteller

Davis’ performance is brilliant, shedding the light of a new sun on Wolfe’s ingenious work.

A fine finish

A beautiful, labyrinthine tale of time and feeling. Wonderfully woven by Gene Wolfe and excellently narrated by Johnathan Davis. The Book of the New Sun is truly five books.

Time shifting hassle for a new sun

The Urth of the New Sun is Gene Wolfe's fifth book in The Book of New Sun series. Severian has risen to be the Autarch but must travel to another planet to earn a new sun. During the voyage people try to kill him. When he reaches Yesod he must undergo a test where he meets dead people. His arrival back on Urth has now sent him back in time to the first Autarch who also tries to kill him, but travels to the future where his wife is now playing Autarch. A flood wipes out everything and he then travels way into the past and is worshiped a god but is killed when he tries to leave. He wakes to learn that he was killed long ago and has been a wandering ghost. He again travels far into the future well after the flood and the arrival of the new sun and is shown a resting place with other gods.

Wolfe plays fat and loose with time throughout. At the same time, everyone seems to want Severian dead, but for no reason. In addition, there is never any clear explanation for the trials he must endure to get a new sun.

The narration is well done with good character distinction and smooth pacing.

hard to understand

I really enjoyed the previous books in the series. this however went right over my head.