We need to start sharing Moid’s work in various Sci-fi subreddits. This channel is a true gem.
@thebookrapport-cx8kh
4 күн бұрын
But you gotta send MOID a dollah for every share.
@randbrannigan2590
Күн бұрын
Please don't invite redditors here
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
I may have poured everything i have into this video but that doesn't mean i know what i'm talking about. Any feedback, disagreements and theories are very welcome, this is just the start. Either comment on here where I'll try my best to respond to any non-wankers, or better still, join the conversation over on discord.
@jramoo
5 күн бұрын
Heck ya, been waiting for a new video from you!
@ilselauwers6009
5 күн бұрын
Some little reactions to this eccentric, extraordinary deep dive …. There is no way to know if the Severian whose story we read is the first one or the second or maybe Severian the 550 …. Because it is about a reset , go back to start situation … How many times has the whole thing been playing out before ? And does it follows the same narrative every time like a never ending loop or is every cycle different ? The ape Men dream scene is , starting from the viewpoint of never ending cycles actually a very disturbing, disappointing scene . We readers existing in an other cycle ( or is it the same cycle ) recognize these ape men . They are a familiar part of our collective memory of humanity… So, let’s hope that the translated books come from the future of our cycle … Because if they are from a different cycle and they contain such familiar scenes than then indicates that nothing is ever learned, nothing ever gained and everything becomes meaningless… I found that a very bleak rabbit hole to fall into. I would like to add Michael Moorcock’s ‘Dancers at the end of Time’ to the list of recommended book you mentioned.
@moonkeele
4 күн бұрын
It never occurred to to me that Nessus was on the west coast. I always assumed the city was Buenos Aires and the river was the Amazon on the east coast. Also, Typhon making offers to Severian mirrors Satan tempting Jesus in the bible
@djfoskey1
3 күн бұрын
Thank you for posting this. Can’t wait to watch it. I read BotNS for the first time this year and really enjoyed it but can’t wait to read all four books again. I listened to hours and hours of Alzabo Soup podcast as I was reading but still…this shit is mad confusing but also brilliant. Thanks again Moid
@MediaDeathCult
2 күн бұрын
@@djfoskey1My pleasure, don’t forget the fifth book
@sturgeonslawyer
4 күн бұрын
As someone who was there at the time -- I don't mean "in the offices of Tor Books," I mean "alive, reading, and involved in the science fiction community" -- Urth of the New Sun happened thus: Dave Hartwell, one of the finest book editors SF has ever had, had published the first volume of tBotNS at Timescape Books. When he moved to Tor, he was permitted to take Wolfe's contract with him. (No, I don't know why, though Timescape books was quickly headed for collapse.) He edited and published the remaining volumes. In the meanwhile -- between the publication of "Sword" and that of "Citadel" -- Wolfe bowed to public demand and published "The Castle of the Otter," a collection of essays about tBotNS, with a small publisher. (Eventually this was included in one of Wolfe's larger collections, "Gene Wolfe's Castle of Days," which also contained an out of print collection of stories ["Gene Wolfe's Book of Days"] and some other stories. Anyway.) As you said, tBotNS was quite successful. Tor was happy to publish Wolfe's next book ("Free Live Free") which, while nearly as strange as tBotNS, was more "fun," something of a jeu d'esprit. Then Wolfe came up with _Soldier of the Mist_, the first of the "Latro" books. Latro is a kind of anti-Severian, a man whose memory, including the ability to retain new information for more than a few hours, has been lost, due either to a head wound or to a curse from a wronged goddess. It was quite as difficult as tBotNS, and less immediately attractive. Hartwell, who had published tBotNS on faith and without understanding some of it, made Wolfe a deal: if he would write a fifth book in _that_ series, to explain some of what had happened in tBotNS, Tor would take a chance on Latro. Wolfe took the deal, and wrote a book that explained some of the mysteries of the original tetralogy, often in oblique ways, while introducing new ones. And that was the end of Severian's tale -- at least until his brief appearance in the Book of the Short Sun, but that's another story...
@MediaDeathCult
4 күн бұрын
Great stuff, thank you so much
@luna123neo
4 күн бұрын
Best synopsis I've seen. Already shared the link with friends and had my wife watch it because she doesn't get why I love it.
@floydhopkins7901
4 күн бұрын
Been trying to get my partner to read these for years. My absolute favorite series ever.
@MediaDeathCult
4 күн бұрын
Thank You
@_jared
4 күн бұрын
This is art. Bravo!
@MediaDeathCult
4 күн бұрын
Thank You Jared
@Severian1
5 күн бұрын
Bless the Cult Leader, whose sweat is the nourishment of his flock! Thank you Moid.
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
You're very welcome
@imacg5
3 күн бұрын
(Cartman-style face-licking
@purpleporygon
4 күн бұрын
I love the pringles can just subtly chilling next to you. Gene Wolfe is THE master of Fantasy and Sci-fi.
@Mako2401
5 күн бұрын
This is a masterpiece just like the book. Well done mate.
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
Thank you so much
@Kim_Miller
4 күн бұрын
OK, you got me to click and I stayed for the whole thing. What a marathon. I predict that in two years we'll see The Ultimate Guide Revisited. 😀 I read the five books in a row with nothing in between and loved them. Soon after that I read The Fifth Head of Cerberus, another top experience that got very trippy towards the end when I realised what Wolfe was doing to my head as the story started to double back on itself. When I'm talking about Wolfe's work I usually suggest that they start with Fifth Head as it will prepare them for the New Sun books. Early this year I read the Sun Eater series so far, which many people say references Dune (which I've not read) but seems to me to mirror New Sun. That was highlighted here a little when you quoted Severian's words, ' Here I pause. If you wish to walk no farther with me, reader, I do not blame you. It is no easy road.' Hadrian has a similar ending for each book in Sun Eater. 'If you would read no further, I understand. You have the luxury of foresight. You know where this ends. I shall go on alone.'
@MediaDeathCult
4 күн бұрын
I have talked to Ruocchio, he is a huge BOTNS fanboy.
@iSamwise
5 күн бұрын
This is probably the best video I’ve seen on Book of the New Sun, yet somehow the best moment from it is at 1:57:35!!!!
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
I had to check that, and i agree
@ilselauwers6009
5 күн бұрын
1:57:45 to be exact 🤗
@iSamwise
5 күн бұрын
@@ilselauwers6009 indeed, but context is necessary.
@pistos777
5 күн бұрын
My goodness I can't take anymore. I have got to read these book!
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
Indeed you do, all five of them
@moresmaiorum9691
5 күн бұрын
This is very good. I set Wolfe aside after The Claw as I was having difficulty. This inspires me to pick him up again. Thank you.
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
Godspeed
@jadziaschillzone
3 күн бұрын
In my opinion it got more difficult for book 3, but like Moid said, Citadel of the Autarch is a satisfying reward 😂😂😂 most of the time 😅
@ilselauwers6009
5 күн бұрын
Thank you for this Moid. I can not imagine how many hours , blood , sweat and tears have gone into this .
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
My pleasure, it took about a month, on and off
@Charlie_Lap
5 күн бұрын
Certainly Blood... Certainly Sweat... Not sure if there were any Tears though. Those edit session sessions must have been pretty grueling
@Etry63
5 күн бұрын
Here we go
@TheTimeshadows
5 күн бұрын
At 2+ Hours, even at only the 1:46 mark, I know it is already a masterpiece. Thank you, MDC.
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
You're welcome
@turnstilesai
2 күн бұрын
In addition to the excellent deep dive on this tangled timeline of sci-fantasy, the filming of this was also excellent! I really enjoyed being taken on holiday while you broke this story down. Very nice visual touch.
@MediaDeathCult
2 күн бұрын
Thank you
@jevinday
5 күн бұрын
Your passion and authenticity is appreciated, you've turned me on to this series, I read Shadow and started Claw. I can tell I'll be studying this series for years! One of the nice things about this series is I can watch this whole video and I'll still be lost when I go back to read the book 😂 but thank you Moid, you make literature that much more enjoyable
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
Lovely comment, thank you
@robbmnr8221
4 күн бұрын
I second this post.
@Atop77
4 күн бұрын
HOLY SHIT MOID AND CHARLIE! This could be the best MDC video yet. I know y'all were going for that and it was accomplished! Awesome camera work Charlie! The changing perspectives and the audio/video syncing is great. Great set pieces! The sermon in the church is just perfect. True cult leader status. When Metz, Phil, and Michael showed up I yelled. The interviews looked amazing and were very fluid in their placement. Did y'all travel to them to get these segments? And the review......I know Moid was forced to put the review in there, by Roy. It made me tear up when the traditional MDC review popped up and when Moid forgot the books while saying the title, made me feel real good. Moid's reviews helped keep me sane during the pandemic, and I always maintain that Moid is the best book reviewer in the biz. That being said, if we never ever get a traditional book review ever again, this was the way to end it. Hopefully this video causes bookstores to sell out of Gene. Not many people let their copies out of their possession, so good luck everybody. Love you guys. Love MDC. Great work! Long live the cult!
@Charlie_Lap
4 күн бұрын
Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed it!
@spacecowboy5486
2 күн бұрын
There are not enough videos about The Book of the New Sun, love to see more
@DamienWalter
4 күн бұрын
Superb storytelling Moid. People will be watching this for years or decades to come.
@MediaDeathCult
4 күн бұрын
Thanks mate
@plekazunga
4 күн бұрын
Omg yessss. Just finished another reread of Botns and Urth. Stoked for a deep dive 🌞
@kufujitsu
4 күн бұрын
MediaDeathCult mentioned Mervyn Peake's evocative Gormenghast trilogy. Great prose - weird characters, & it pulls off the seemingly impossible -: making the crumbling castle the star of the show.
@alanpennie8013
2 күн бұрын
He's something of a writer's writer, like Wolfe. Brian Aldiss' remarked that Peake's prose is so *dense* you wouldn't want to read much of it at a sitting.
@kufujitsu
2 күн бұрын
@alanpennie8013 It's dense at times, but the story of Gormenghast was still enjoyable. The second volume was my favourite, with that long scene underneath the castle. It felt as if I was there.
@hardtailgang
2 күн бұрын
Nobody paints a picture with their words like Peake. I tried starting the Wheel of Time and as a result, thought I hated anything but the briefest of "straightforward exposition" for worldbuilding. But then I read Gormenghast and found myself glued to multi-page descriptions of a rotting old sideroom in a castle, smiling, chuckling, and wanting it to keep going.
@kufujitsu
2 күн бұрын
@@hardtailgang Yeah. From the first page, I knew that the Gormenghast trilogy was going to be something special.
@Belemrys
4 күн бұрын
I have shared this everywhere!
@MediaDeathCult
4 күн бұрын
Thank You
@LiminalSpaces03
5 күн бұрын
Dang it! I've only read the first two, so I can't watch this entire video! What I did watch looks incredible. I'll come back when I've finished the series and watch the rest.
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
We'll be waiting for you, and remember it's 5 books
@itaivoller
5 күн бұрын
I'm half way through the video but had to stop and say that your delivery is absolutely brilliant.
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
Thank you
@matt984
5 күн бұрын
I had to stop the video at 26 minutes because I haven’t finished the last 2 books but WOW. This truly is a love letter. I’m definitely going to be finishing this series asap and watching this video in its entirety. A+ stuff
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
Thank you, see you soon
@CasperHulshof
4 күн бұрын
You will like them!
@Atop77
4 күн бұрын
I would definitely add 'A Voyage to Arcturus' by David Lindsay into the mix of books to read post New Sun. One of the main reasons I love Book of the New Sun is because it reminds me of A Voyage to Arcturus. Similar vibes, deep rereadable writing, one person traveling through strange environments while growing and learning and suffering. I'm pretty sure Gene Wolfe claimed this as inspiration in his writings.
@MediaDeathCult
4 күн бұрын
Thanks, we actually made an Arcturus video a few months ago
@ahaeron
5 күн бұрын
I know what I’m doing tonight. Thanks!!
@epone3488
4 күн бұрын
Given the transhuman elements, it makes so much sense that torcher -as oposed to just death sentenses - is the prefered mode of punishment... It hadnt occured to me before now. Talos in greek myth which GW loves is a bronze automamton. nuff said.
@alanpennie8013
2 күн бұрын
Let's not forget that Theseus and The Minotaur show up in the second book. I've no idea why.
@disconnected22
Күн бұрын
I was worried about spoilers, but I’m NEVER gonna remember this plot
@nathancroft
4 күн бұрын
Absolutely essential listening and thoughts on Wolfe's masterpiece. I only recently finished my first read-through and this is just a fantastic resource to have. Thank you. I'm sure it was a monumental effort to put together.
@MediaDeathCult
4 күн бұрын
Thank you
@slavicgarou6414
Күн бұрын
I absolutely love The Book of The New Sun. Must read it again, and again and ...
@Jester1411
5 күн бұрын
Amazing work… I am just on my second re read after a long time and this is a great summary…. It gets less confusing after every re read
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
Until it gets confusing again, just you wait
@Jester1411
4 күн бұрын
@@MediaDeathCult 😄
@kurtgoldstein3254
2 күн бұрын
That's your best film ever man. And I've seen them all. I personally doubt that churchgoing, religious, everyday praying catholic Wolfe wrote something that rejects traditional religion, but I take it as a excuse for my 4th reread.
@MediaDeathCult
2 күн бұрын
Me neither, but we see what we want right? And thank you
@bendybruce
3 күн бұрын
I've finally finished watching this and I have to say this video was almost as much of a masterpiece as the book series itself. You really should feel proud of yourself for creating this, It's even inspired me to go back and read the book series again.
@MediaDeathCult
3 күн бұрын
Thank you
@michellevey9608
4 күн бұрын
Thanks for the ❤! I made a comment early on about poor Jolenta. And now you're talking about her!!!
@michaellacy8510
3 күн бұрын
I love all of Gene Wolfes’ work. But, The New Sun is my very favorite SF series. I got turned on to it by a woman I knew in the late ‘70s. Never was able to thank her properly. This is the best description and discussion of these challenging books I’ve ever seen. Bravo and many thanks!
@MediaDeathCult
3 күн бұрын
You're welcome, thank you
@ducciomori46
Күн бұрын
This is the type of video I love to see on telling and explaining of books with passion, and i do hope to see this done for other stories
@MediaDeathCult
14 сағат бұрын
Thank You
@chungusdisciple9917
5 күн бұрын
Been waiting for this video Moid! bless you
@dergrimnebulin
2 күн бұрын
Looking forward to watching all of this. Probably my favorite book series. Love the “we did meet Jolenta earlier at the cafe, but don’t worry about it”
@MediaDeathCult
2 күн бұрын
Charlie actually corrected me while we were filming
@howardhavardramberg333
5 күн бұрын
powerhouse of a video 😎
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
Cheers
@thedreadtyger
Күн бұрын
i have meant to read these for years. the first few minutes of your video have convinced me to acquire the links to the audiobooks here on yt. the Sword of the Lictor is missing, but i intend to go ahead. thanks for the impetus, and when i have finished them i shall return to your video.
@SLMDNKAHO
Күн бұрын
I’m going to read Urth and come back to this
@MediaDeathCult
Күн бұрын
Very wise
@alanpennie8013
2 күн бұрын
The Urth of The New Sun (which I haven't read) seems like an enormously extended version of Van Vogt's Seesaw (1941) which impressed me a good deal when I read it as a child. Severian's quest to return The Claw to The Pelerines is admirable. A point worth making since he's an equivocal character in some ways. Regarding Severian and The Moon Landing, I think it's a combination of Severian's rather partial education and the fact that The Moon was terraformed a long time ago. It's admittedly a bit weird that none of Autarch Severian's other personalities knew about The Moon Landing, but perhaps his private memories were sectioned off.
@MediaDeathCult
14 сағат бұрын
Thanks for the comment. At the time Severian saw the moon landing painting, he hadn't "consumed" anyone else and he was writing the memoir as if he was in the moment.
@dominicg11
5 күн бұрын
You've just made my next read a return to these books. I love Gene Wolfe and I know I should re read them more
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
Cool
@bighex5340
2 күн бұрын
The timing on this drop is crazy, i finished UotNS literally yesterday. Damn good timing.
@MediaDeathCult
2 күн бұрын
Hope you enjoy it
@markoconnor1691
4 күн бұрын
Good man!
@aturninward
5 күн бұрын
finally!
@Dejasmo
5 күн бұрын
Bravo!
@chantheman8443
5 күн бұрын
Have been looking forward to this video for weeks now, hype that its finally out
@robbmnr8221
4 күн бұрын
I can only imagine the many drafts of the script and the hours you spent rewriting. Then of course, how to film it, fab stuff Moid it’s all paid off. I loved it. Will watch it again when I’m reading the books, great idea in the time stamps, just wonderful stuff. I hope your pleased with it as well.
@MediaDeathCult
4 күн бұрын
Thank You, i'm pretty happy with it
@lordlawless5183
3 күн бұрын
Thanks. This was vastly more enjoyable than slogging through the unreliable narration of the first book. Which soured me on the whole series.
@alanpennie8013
2 күн бұрын
I don't know why people call Severian an unreliable narrator. Though it's admittedly not easy to describe dying and being resurrected (at least twice in that first book).
@MichaelTamburrino
5 күн бұрын
The hype is real! Cannot wait to settle in and watch this later!
@LightningRaven42
5 күн бұрын
Even though I haven't read Urth yet, I would like to thank you Moid for presenting, and selling, this amazing book series to me. It quickly rose, along with Dune, to my top favorite book series ever. Also, I'm currently reading Seven Surrenders by Ada Palmer and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. Which, by the way, I hope Mycroft Canner's story also gets the same treatment as Severian. Terra Ignota is a masterclass in world-building. More people need to know how amazing these books are!
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
Thank you, great comment
@michellevey9608
3 күн бұрын
I haven't finished yet. What a fantastic presentation so far! You hit on something that's been in the back of my brain all this time! The fountain on the tombstone! Thank you so much Moid! I'm very financially strapped. l'll join the cult when l can! When was the last time being in a cult was cool and could be bragged about!
@distranthegloriouslydeform9259
4 күн бұрын
Ive been waiting for a good video essay on wolfe. Thanks dude.
@MediaDeathCult
4 күн бұрын
You're very welcome
@mikeruel6238
4 күн бұрын
I love the video and format. I read these books when I was young and didn’t appreciate them, I tried a couple of years ago when you put reviewed them, and mostly didn’t only saw the things the book was saying based on your videos. Might not be as smart as I like to think. Would love to see a similar format on PKD, or Ender’s universe, or Dune.
@MediaDeathCult
4 күн бұрын
Thank You
@mikaelmarklund7908
3 күн бұрын
Finally 🎉 thank you 🙏 just finished my reread of the 5 books two weeks ago. What a timing ⏱️ Love it, great. The best book ever written
@MediaDeathCult
3 күн бұрын
You're welcome
@rantsreviews3573
16 сағат бұрын
I read the first two books and loathed them. I listened to this ENTIRE video and I can say that I enjoyed you enjoying these books much more than I ever could or would enjoy them. Maybe I'll go back. Probably not. But this was great.
@MediaDeathCult
14 сағат бұрын
Thanks
@seanclark9891
5 күн бұрын
Brilliant summarization and filming!
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
Thank you
@emosongsandreadalongs
2 күн бұрын
Moid, please don't ever delete this. I will eventually get around to reading BotNS and I want to watch this right after
@MediaDeathCult
2 күн бұрын
It's not going anywhere
@conorsowersby1274
4 күн бұрын
Thank you for this
@MediaDeathCult
4 күн бұрын
My pleasure
@tmoh99
5 күн бұрын
God love ya Moid!!! So excited for this!
@Dylan13Collins
3 күн бұрын
Not only am I sad this is over, I'm also tempted to just watch it all over again! Unbelievable job as always Moid! We love your content and your incredible quality.
@MediaDeathCult
3 күн бұрын
Thank You
@Pacal_II
4 күн бұрын
The Hierogrammates tell Severian " Your race and ours are, perhaps, no more than each other's reproductive mechanisms." The Hierogrammates in Yesod seem to consider humanity somehow important. When Severian spends some time in Yesod after he comes back to Urth he's about 1000 years earlier than where he originally started. So it's possible that time moves backwards relative to our time (but at a different pace, a few days there thousand years heres). This would also explain why the hierodules constantly move in time opposite to Severian, they just go back to Yesode for a few minutes/days and go back to Urth being at the exact time they need to. So I'm wondering is it possibly that humanity (or some race of the future, green urth) eventually either evolves into or creates the Hierogrammates? Either their creators or the hiegrammates themselves learn how to travel to Yesod or possibly create it themselves. That's how they're able to escape the divine year, by escaping into this higher plane of existence. Of course that leaves them with one concern they have to look over the universe their origins are tied to and make sure that the timeline goes correctly and they end up being born.
@alanpennie8013
2 күн бұрын
I like that idea. Their cosmic meddling is necessary for self preservation.
@releasethequackin266
4 күн бұрын
This video is exactly what was needed, I think, there's not enough video presentations on Wolfe on KZitem. It's been five years after his passing and I know he's popular but seeing this honestly made me so happy. I hope it brings new eyes to his amazing work (though spoilers abound!). Really, really great work guys! For anyone interested, there are also great podcasts out there, I highly recommend Re-Reading Wolfe and Alzabo Soup.
@MediaDeathCult
4 күн бұрын
Thanks
@unclecolkie
2 күн бұрын
This is fantastic. Top tier video production and some great analysis.
@MediaDeathCult
2 күн бұрын
Thanks
@SamsonDJB
4 күн бұрын
Fantastic!!
@MediaDeathCult
4 күн бұрын
Thanks
@andrewhaldenby4949
Күн бұрын
Many congratulations on this great achievement
@MediaDeathCult
14 сағат бұрын
Thank you
@tmoh99
5 күн бұрын
Had to pause an hour in to comment- it strikes me that the time travels of severian/ conciliator relate to Christ as being present in history about 2000 years ago and also being omnipresent as the Logos with god in the beginning and all things made through him, darkness not understanding him bit…… Also hints in wolfe’s callbacks and obscure foreshadowing of Old Testament passages being reworked as prophecy in the New. Of course there are many many layers here besides….. Again- loving this episode already mood and I’m sure I’ll watch it time and time again! Thank you sooooo much for all the work and thought that went into to it!
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
My pleasure
@calebmauer1751
Күн бұрын
Wow, great video! I thought the part where you carried a table into the woods was really well done (plus the explanation of the fifth book time travel was helpful). And of course, the sequence ending with you speaking from the pulpit was hilarious. I started a re-read of the series before even finishing the video.
@MediaDeathCult
Күн бұрын
That's great, thanks
@willfagence3144
9 сағат бұрын
I enjoyed this video very much. Many thanks to everyone involved. I've read the book of the new Sun three times so far, the first time was around 1988 I think. I have enjoyed each subsequent reading more than the last, (so Wolfe succeeded I think). I intend to re read the book, and I have plans to read the long and short sun series too. I have read the fifth head of Cerberus twice, I found it to be incredible. A bit like my experience reading the Heart of Darkness; I didn't get it the first time, the second reading blew me away!!
@MediaDeathCult
9 сағат бұрын
Thank you
@andybertaut
5 күн бұрын
Well, you did say you were working on the ultimate video...!!
@jasonrhome710
4 күн бұрын
One of my favorite tech timeline asides in the books is how the towers of the torturers and witches are implied to be derelict space rockets. Also, isn't it implied that the library that the photo of the moon landing is stored in is itself somewhere outside of time? I might bring the books on my upcoming vaykay to read again...
@alanpennie8013
2 күн бұрын
I think you may be right. The Library is at least partially in Yesod.
@tmoh99
5 күн бұрын
Could it be that since the green man receives his energy through photosynthesis directly from the new sun that he can actually carry energy hence power from the new sun to any place in the timeline or all timelines? Like carrying a little ember from the giant fire of the new sun?
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
I like this a lot and i'd never really considered that the green man is from the time of the new sun in that way. However, i think it's only Severian that can harness it's power, probably because he actually ejaculated it in Yessod so he is the father of the new sun, sort of, otherwise more people, maybe all people would be able to walk the corridors of time. Then again, the green man must get his power from somewhere, so maybe he has figured out a way to use the new sun, or those that manipulate the timeline gave him the power so he could be in the right place at the right time to save Severian. Could Severian himself have granted the green man that power in the future, from Ushas, thus saving himself?
@Durungham
3 күн бұрын
Helpful, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.
@MediaDeathCult
3 күн бұрын
My pleasure
@freshhands9461
3 күн бұрын
The synopsis made perfect sense and I had no further questions at all :D But thank you very much for elaborating! One of my favourite fictional worlds ever...there simply isn't anything like it.
@Lokster71
3 күн бұрын
This is excellent Moid. I read The Book of the New Sun back in the early 90s, but never really engaged with it beyond the surface level. Definitely going to re-read it.
@MediaDeathCult
Күн бұрын
Thanks
@jerryB75
3 күн бұрын
I recently bought “Urth of the New Sun” but haven’t got to it yet because I want to start over from the beginning. This is getting me in the mood. Great synopsis. I stopped the video after book 4 though. Don’t want any spoilers.
@MediaDeathCult
3 күн бұрын
Very wise
@paulh7751
5 күн бұрын
Incredible, thanks for this, I think it will have to be split into a number of sessions to be fully appreciated! I read these books during lockdown and I still ponder it regularly, so much mystery to unpack!!
@randyd7836
16 сағат бұрын
I read this series 20 years ago. Like Dune, I picked it off a shelf with no conscious memories that anyone or anything had recommended it. Someting about the title or cover indicated it was dense and important and a necessary read. It took months to finish because I didn't want to rush and would only read a few pages a day. I knew the story was confusing, yet I never felt confused. Wolfe never got the popular recognition he deserved. But readers and critcs who know his work do not have a casual opinion about it.
@jjk9999
2 күн бұрын
Death in the ship. I always thought he was replaced by the mimic creature. That is, the creature becomes him, including his memories (?). The creature has taken his memories too, so is sufficient to bring the new sun when examined by the aliens. Mimicry/emulation is a long running theme throughout Gene Wolf's work. At what point does something become what it's emulating?
@MediaDeathCult
2 күн бұрын
That's one part of the book that is very hazy to me, i'm not really sure
@CamInTheHat
Күн бұрын
If you love Gene Wolfe check out the Sun Eater Saga by Christopher Ruocchio. He was massively influenced by Gene Wolfe and Frank Herbert. Sun Eater is what got me into Book of the new sun since Christopher Ruocchio referenced it all the time. Great video btw ❤
@MediaDeathCult
Күн бұрын
I will read it when it's finished
@Mentat1231
5 күн бұрын
I read the first four books with the cult read-along, but I never read Urth... I think I may need to do that first and then come back to this video... And then read them all again.
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
That would be wise, the video will be waiting for you
@houserivain
2 күн бұрын
Started reading this in 7th Grade, and my dad made me stop because it was about a torturer. Definitely need to go back to it.
@SoonGone
3 күн бұрын
I've just realised I've got books 1 through 4 on my shelves. Think I'll give them a read.
@MediaDeathCult
3 күн бұрын
Don't forget book 5
@sturgeonslawyer
4 күн бұрын
...and having said that I agree with pretty much everything you say, except that I hold to the million-year-or-more time scale: in "Sword of the Autarch," we see that Severian is living long enough in the future for ancient (meaning our time) cities to have been buried and then uplifted in new mountains. That is a _long_ damn time, much more than paltry score of millenia...
@MediaDeathCult
4 күн бұрын
Unless the lifting of the mountains is artificial, just like the aging of the sun,
@sturgeonslawyer
4 күн бұрын
@@MediaDeathCult While that is certainly possible, Occam's Razor seems to weigh against it.
@alanpennie8013
2 күн бұрын
@@MediaDeathCult I suspect Wolfe set his story both in the incredibly deep future (because it would be cool) and in the much nearer future (because it would be realistic). When you're writing fiction you don't need to be specific.
@carlosbranca8080
2 күн бұрын
This is a great video. I have already seen it twice. I read the first 4 books recently thanks in big part to your recommendation. Now I am getting Urth and will read the whole series again. Excellent job Cult Leader!
@MediaDeathCult
2 күн бұрын
Thank you so much
@siener
2 күн бұрын
The Book of the New Sun is one of my favorite series ever, but I never read Urth of the New Sun. I really thought it was just a cash grab. You've convinced me otherwise. I paused the video just before you started talking about it. I'll come back to watch the rest when I'm done. Great video so far
@MediaDeathCult
2 күн бұрын
Thank you
@thewayofthegunn
3 күн бұрын
WoW! That was mind-blowing.
@MediaDeathCult
3 күн бұрын
Thanks
@dcieniuch
4 күн бұрын
Your most ambitious video to date. I have always admired your dedication to what you do, the time and effort you put into such documents is simply amazing and I will always be grateful for your work. Thanks to you, I have discovered this series and many other great books over the last few years. Thank you!
@MediaDeathCult
4 күн бұрын
My pleasure, thanks
@pivoune
5 күн бұрын
This looks amazing. Since I haven’t read it yet though, I guess it’s best to avoid the video until after I have read it? Aka Spoilers?
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
Indeed
@JohnG225
2 сағат бұрын
Look forward to watching this, but I need to read the books first 😃
@TheSDC81
3 күн бұрын
Epic! Thanks Moid.
@MediaDeathCult
3 күн бұрын
My pleasure
@breesway9749
2 күн бұрын
Next you’re going to have to cover The Book of the Long Sun. Might need a read along for that because I can’t wrap my head around it
@rhoadsy
5 күн бұрын
As someone who hasn't yet read any Gene Wolfe (I know, I'm sorry!), would this series be a good place to start?
@MediaDeathCult
5 күн бұрын
Yes
@CountofVatesgrad
5 күн бұрын
Maybe give Fifth Head of Cerberus a try first to see if Gene Wolfe's style is your cup of tea.
@severianthefool7233
4 күн бұрын
I approve this message.
@michellevey9608
5 күн бұрын
Ah yes...The Urth Of The New Sun. That was a tough one for sure! The meeting with Dr. Talos has always stuck in my mind the most.
@felipe.b.felicio
3 күн бұрын
Nice job. Didn't have another channel some years ago? It's over? Your content is perfect for newcomers to sci fi genre. I wish this books series was traslated to my language, I think I can't grasp the complexity of it reading in English.
@Ferd_Turgeson
4 күн бұрын
By the end of the books I was so sick of Severian and so fatigued by the mind blowing presentation and plot that I couldn’t wait to get away from it. I’ve reflected on it since and for me to say I didn’t like it isn’t accurate. I have never felt so conflicted and uncomfortable about a character in anything, and I’ve never been so blown away by the concepts and presentation. But it all made me uncomfortable. LOL. So, a testament to the genius for sure, but man you better button your pants for this one….
@alanpennie8013
2 күн бұрын
Severian is both very good and very bad, so it's hard to know how to evaluate him.
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