The Wizard

My husband and I read the two books of the series, and to gain additional insight I did some surfing on Mr. Wolfe and appreciated what he has done with these books even more than I had. To those who find the books flawed... I can only say that perhaps you expect him to be doing something with the books other than what he intended to do. The profoundly dreamlike quality of the plot and narrative, the way things move forward, the way the POV bounces from Able to others and back again, the way in which events are magical but at the same time deeply mundane, and overall the way in which Able exemplifies certain qualities (honor, duty, loyalty) set these books apart in my mind as something beyond the vast sea of fantasy fiction. These books capture some quality of "the otherworld" in a way that I've never encountered before, deftly and with beauty. Wolfe also writes limited first person viewpoint more perfectly than anyone else I've read; the way in which we get Able's view, and also just what Able choses to write to his brother - is just masterful. Sometimes events are confusing because Able writes briefly or sketchily about certain events, or skips over battles and then refers back (or forward) to events that he doesn't actually describe... All I can say is "WOW". Good job, Gene.

This is better than anything else I have read in the last two years. I will not summarize the plot because you will find that elsewhere, but I prefer to check the negative feedback. I feel sorry for the people who read this book and seek a linear, easy-to-discern story. Just because the plot is disjointed, convoluted, complex, and yes, perhaps contradictions abound, (all revealing many different emotions and levels of maturity) does not translate to "a mess." Go read some milk-toast fantasy to satisfy your mundane literary aspirations! There is a bountiful "mess" of galant adventure and introspective sophistry to be found within these novels. The prose is magical. The story is invigorating. Satisfaction is assured. Gene Wolfe's body of work shames most want-to-be masters of sci-fi and fantasy. Give these novels a read with a steady mind. Perhaps a second or third read will find new, overlooked insights. You may find within these novels a plethora of goodness which changes your perspective on the world around you. Or at least takes you upon a journey of chivalry and courage. Cheers!

As I write this review, I have left the final six pages unread, because I do not want my journey with Sir Able and his wide-ranging assortment of companions to end. Not yet. I am thoroughly and completely enchanted by Wolfe's version of Faerie and Arthurian/Norse legend. Wolfe pays homage to a wide range of classical influences, including Edmund Spenser, Lord Dunsany, and T.S. Eliot. Because Able is such an unreliable narrator, and (as he insists) just a boy in a man's body, it's easy to miss how deeply his worlds turns in on themselves, and the significance of several events is not at first apparent. That makes this a demanding work, because few things are as they seem on the surface. While not as obscure as *Castleview*, this is a deep novel, best read in a reflective mood and not as a page-turner. Like many of Wolfe's books, the journey seems to be the real point, not the destination that ultimately appears on the last page. Superficially, these two books resemble sword'n'sorcery or hack'n'slash that you might find from lesser writers; but the deceptive, dream-like flow of Wolfe's elegant prose and his refusal to put characters into simple boxes of good and evil separate Wolfe from the pack. If you are new to Wolfe, I would first recommend the "Book of the New Sun" series or *A Devil in the Forest*. Once you are familiar with Wolfe, my bet is that you'll appreciate this book on many levels. This series has earned the many glowing reviews from other accomplished fantasy authors. I believe it is a true masterpiece from a genuine master.

I waited a while to post on this book, because I wanted to read it again before I formed a solid opinion. I have championed Wolfe's other series to no end, and I just wanted to leave a few comments that might help readers other readers here. The first time you read a Wolfe book, you expect that certain things you want to happen actually will. There was so much buildup to Skai in the Knight that you wanted Able to spend his time there and hear about the awesome gods. Then the Wizard seems to go off on a long tangent about Gilling and Idnn, and it wasn't what you were expecting. Then you go back to The Knight, and realize this is exactly how the story had to develop. Because the gods that are chronicled are not from Skai, but from Mythgarthr. The aelf want to be better, so they implore the king of their gods to make the world better, and send a champion messenger, Able. The entire quest is not about ascending to Skai, but in getting Arthnor's attention enough to convince him to change, so that the artificial people of Aelfrice can themselves change for the better. Where is the real Able? This seemed to be a big loose end to me. It turns out that when Arthur Ornsby went wandering away into the forrest at the beginning of The Knight, he cut a piece of spiny orange tree that had been planted by the original Able. Perhaps this triggered their big switch. Other nice touches: the ghost of Ravd appears to Toug watching over Svon, but is only listed as a golden knight with a lion's crest. The earl marshal, when he visits Aelfrice, splits in two, leaving one version of himself sitting there. Perhaps the same thing has happened to Able? It seems almost certain that Garvaon slayed Gilling for his love of Idnn. In any case, the book is much better the second time through. You realize that the big disappointments of the two books (in book one, Able won't use a sword and act like a knight, in book two, Able won't use his magic and act like a wizard) are intentional and important. While Able is both knight and wizard, his honor and his message of setting a good example is more important than weilding a sword or exercising his magic.

After living in Skai for thirty years, Sir Able is back in Mythgarthr (only a few months passed in the Mythgarthr dimension). One condition of Able's return is that he not use his magical powers. Instead, he must fight as a knight. Fortunately for him, the Valfather has given him one of the great dogs of his own hunt, as well as a young unicorn to ride. Together with Able's bowstring made of severed souls, and his sword--equiped with dead knights prepared to join in battle, although only sometimes in aid of Able, he hardly misses those magical powers. Able returns to a complicated political situation. The frost giants are restive and attempts to placate them bog down when the frost giant king is attacked. Even when he escapes the frozen lands of the north, Able is unable to find peace. There is a dragon to fight, and a message to take to the king. The result of that message, when finally delivered, leaves Able in prison while the kingdom falls into horrible war and defeat. Author Gene Wolfe creates a powerful and fascinating world--with strong ties to Germanic myth. Able, and the squire Tong, try to understand what is happening around them, make decisions that might not always be wise, and face a world where good and evil are vague terms--and making the choice between them is often difficult. THE WIZARD is a compelling and fascinating read. Often dark, sometimes obscure, filled with so many characters that the list of players at the beginning comes in very handy, THE WIZARD is still hard to put down. WOLFE has become one of the major literary authors of contemporary Science Fiction/Fantasy. With THE WIZARD, it is easy to understand how he's achieved this popularity.