Gene Wolfe: The Faux Escapism of "THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR DEATH & OTHER STORIES"
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- Опубліковано 3 лис 2023
- In his much requested and first video on the work of Gene Wolfe, Steve tackles the multi-layered first tale in the Archipelago Sequence, the dizzying "The Island of Doctor Death & Other Stories". What is going on here in this reflection on escapism and harsh reality? #bookrecommendations #sciencefiction #sf #booktube #bookcollecting #fantasy
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Thank you for talking about this story! The fact that Wolfe leaves so much of the interpretive responsibility to the reader (not that Wolfe doesn't have an interpretation, but that he doesn't beat you over the head with it; the story invites effort, and rewards effort) makes his stories so much more effective.
Yes, I think the story is all the more effective for that reason and because it encourages you to re-read, that's a good thing- some people say they never/hate re-reading, but if a text is truly great, it will stand up to a return and be enhanced. It also argues for close, slow reading, two other neglected virtues.
Thank you so much for finally sharing your thoughts on Gene Wolfe, and on one of his finer stories. Readnig throught the four volumes of The Book of the New Sun (for the first time) in the past four months has been the apex of my book-reading experiences; naturally, I am now reading The Urth of the New Sun. Gene Wolfe is among the very few authors (e.g. Stanislaw Lem) that I am sure I will continue to read (and to re-read) in my remaining years, and that I have already sought to collect as many works by him as I can. I am very much looking forward to your further analysis of his other works!
Thanks. I'm re-reading a Wolfe I've not tackled before currently and will cover it here very soon. I thought I was done with collecting him, but I am thinking now I'd like to go further....
I think your point about ‘show, don’t tell’ is interesting. Some love flights of science info dumps or expospeak often found in ‘hard’ SF. Long conversations between scientists have been standard fare since the golden age. For me, telling in SF works in moderation. Telling that bogs down the story becomes unproductive and unpleasant. It t starts to read like a textbook. Writers that can tell in succinct clear prose, often with a metaphor, illuminate and continue the pace of their storytelling.
Agreed. I found 'tell' very, very irritating when re-reading Neal Stephenson's 'Snow Crash' recently for the first time in 30 years. Sometimes, there are other ways to do this that are subtle and sometimes SF writers can simply not do it at all and get away with it, but usually they've woven it in subtly somewhere. Infodump remains a hotly debated topic among writers and it's something I almost always ask writers about in person when interviewing them in front of live audiences.
I have this volume and read a couple of the stories. Previously, I’ve read the four volumes of the Book of the New Sun and The Fifth Head of Cerberus. I totally agree that he has a genius for subtlety and misdirection. I generally enjoy his prose even though I don’t always connect with his stories. I’ll definitely read more of this short story collection going forward because I crave having Wolfe’s “voice” in my head.
It is good to read an author with true mystique from time to time, who doesn't spoonfeed you - I get this from M John Harrison, Christopher Priest, Kobo Abe and various other Modernists. The good ones don't have to try too hard, either...or they write as if they're managing it easily.
Nice. Gene Wolfes my all time favorite. I got into him just a year after he passed, and found out he lived 2 towns over from me. Love these videos, and so glad you got around to talking about the old Genester.
More Wolfe to come this month, then something more in depth later in Spring.
I've always thought the saddest aspect of the story is that Tacky seems (especially at the end) to relate much more to Dr Death then Ransom. He seems to reject Random as another face in the weird party at the end, while Death is the one to comfort him. I've always supposed its a bit of a nod to the fact that many sci-fi/fantasy fans, especially those reading in the pulp era, were much less likely to actually be the dashing handsome young man who gets the girl, and are more likely to be the one to "make the monsters." With tacky being acutely aware of this, given he sees a twisted version of the pulp hero in his mothers lover. Perhaps I've mis-read it though, Wolfe is like that.
Thanks very much for this video, I was happy to hear you mention the solider series which as a Wolfe fan, is probably his most underrated and undermentioned work. Though its understandable given that Wolfe really requires a lot of you to "get it." much more even then his famous book of the new sun series. Among younger fans Wolfe seems to be making a light comeback, since Podcasts about him, analysing his works have become more frequent. Keep up the great videos!
Yes, that's a telling detail and I think it works on two levels (at least)- Tackie's enjoyment - possibly subsconscious - in Death's power to create a sense of the sublime in the monsters and the very fact that he is 'Death', which to me references the closed loop of the story, which, like all metafiction, exists in a kind of afterlife we can always re-access. And I think you're right about Jason's image in Ransom- and of course drug addiction being a kind of 'being held to ransom' situation. I think multiple readings are possible and credible with this story and I'm sure it resonates with Wolfe's experiences of reading pulp SF as a child (it does with mine). TBOTNS is never really out of print and in the 1980s was a massive seller, which sometimes felt very strange - these days I sell him to youngish readers regularly.
@spookymouse846 Thanks for a comment well worth reading.
EDITED: You are so right, Stephen, about it being a combination of the showing and the telling rather than one or the other. Marrying those two important aspects requires mental dexterity, a deft hand, if you will, and leave it to you to point it out! Yet another addition to my winter TBR list, thanks to your agile and creative perspective. Well done sir. It must be lonely having no peers. :). Cheers.
Thanks as ever, Rick, pleased you liked the video.
Man, I always learn so much from your videos. This is one of those videos I'm going to have to watch at least twice, maybe three times. First thing's first: I now have to read THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR DEATH & OTHER STORIES immediately. Thanks, Outlaw. Hope you're getting along all right and not taxing yourself too much.
Thanks, my friend. I have to admit I'm near burnout again, if I'm honest. But I have some material in the can for next week, a special featurette I will be finishing tomorrow for next weekend, then on that weekend I'll be attending a multi-author signing in London which I'll be filming for upload about a week later. I'll then be taking a week to decompress late in the month- which will include some filming, but will largely be a moment for me to catch my breath. Your kind thoughts are much appreciated.
A few years ago I finally read the fourth tale in his Archipelago sequence and found myself intensely, and unexpectedly, moved. I first encountered Wolfe in one of Knight's Orbit collections, in fact this very story. It foiled my teenage expectations seemingly promised by the title. Over the years it has risen greatly in my estimation. I, too, find Wolfe's work dense and frustrating at times but when one of his tales hits the mark, it is nonpareil.
Someone else pointed the fourth story out to me - I haven't read it - but its existence was hovering around in my consciousness when I made this video. I am reading and re-reading more Wolfe currently, so watch this space.
Escape to reality through worlds where monster's mask what secrets we've kept feom waking life. I am always willing to work with a Wolfe story because he's crafted them with care. I think it's worth exploring this escapism theme in archipelago stuff with Eco's Foucault's Pendulum. Using threads of reality to put ourselves at the heart of an international global conspiracy is more destructive as losing time being held hostage at Ransom's fancy. Wolfe's approach to fictions seems more balanced, playful and less cynical.
Yes, certainly a perspective worth considering.
Nicely said.
@@waltera13 well, both phone and fatigue make it harder than it ought to be, but thanks.
Wolfe can definitely be perplexing and benefits from rereading as you say , my personal favourite is fifth head but have not gone further than the books of the new sun yet . Dr death sounds quite an intriguing collection I shall keep a eye out for it. Thoughtful stuff as always many thanks.
It's well worth a look- and it does encourage you to go back and try things again, which is a good authorial skill, I'd say.
In my limited experience of Wolfe, I certainly agree his work rewards a re-read or 5. I ploughed through BOTNS at some velocity and no doubt only got the surface layer. I think I have the Pennington cover of Doctor Death on my shelves. 👍
The Pennington Wolfes are increasingly uncommon and sought after, as people tend to hang onto them, despite the fact that those issues of 'The Book of the New Sun' series were very, very popular in the 1980s, which always surprised me even at the time. I've read 'The Shadow of the Torturer' three times, but really need to re-read the rest, but it's unlikely I'll cover them here for a long time and when I do, I'll look in depth at one particular aspect, I think.
Ooooh, this is a great background and lighting. Upping the game here, Steven!
Hey Jozef, it's actually nothing new, if you dig back through the channel I've been using this setting on and off since the start, though not so frequently of late- it's just my living room. I only film there when my partner is out and it does make a change.
Excellent! I was waiting for this. I took notice when you mentioned some time ago that you'll be covering " off the beaten path " Wolfe works.
I think it's good idea to go with his stories : There are many magnificent ones, they often have different effect than his longer works & are underrepresented on youtube.
Also, it's less work to reread them carefully ( as Wolfe demands ) & you can even put two or three in a video...
There's more than enough of Sun books videos on youtube ( Moid really outdid himself in that area ! ), so if you're thinking of covering some novels maybe you could go with some of his later stage novels ( from Pirate Freedom onwards) . Or maybe " There Are Doors " ( one of my favourite singleton Wolfe novels )
I am a Wolfe fanatic ( top spot in my personal pantheon of SF gods ) . Recently I decided to make another ( fifth ) go with Severian with Moid and I found plenty of new stuff I have not deciphered before. This summer was my third Long Sun adventure and it was better than before.
Truly, his prose gives more enjoyment with each succesive reread.
Excellent video, I'll be looking forward for more Wolfe content...Cheers !🎉
I'm reading a previously untackled Wolfe currently, so there will definitely be more- I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
Didn't I already comment here?
Great video -an in depth treatment of a book never discussed elsewhere. It makes me hungry for more *unique* info on Wolfe!
I don't have anything to add on Wolfe: I'm not sure what I've read (as in short stories) but I haven't read any of his novels yet. While used book hunting, other than the New Sun books, so far, I've only stumbled across "Castleview" and "The Devil in a Forest" (which sounds particularly intriguing.) I hope one of those will turn up sooner as you address your efforts to Wolfe.
At least, a man can hope. . .
Since I don't really know much about Wolfe, I don't have much to say. I always thought the Book of the Long Sun sounded really good, but haven't gotten to it yet. In fact, with a quick glance it looks like here's a LOT of really interesting & informed comments on his writing in response to your video, so, thank you again. I'll go read the comments through now.
"Almost any interesting work of art comes close to saying the opposite of what it really says."--Gene Wolfe
Interesting quotation from GW- and I suspect very germane to a lot of his own work, thanks.
The Island of Doctor Death & Other Stories was one of the 1st short story collections I read - I can still remember certain stories in it - probably because I returned to it more than once (LOL), but it has to be one of the most formidable short story collections ever put into print, & I've read a lot of them, being that I tend to read more short story collections than I do novels - Seven American Nights, was my favorite in the book, along with the title story (influenced by "The Island of Dr Moreau" by H,G. Wells, which is also well worth reading) ,& the story about the robot in a predicament was effective as well, but all the stories were readable.
Yes, I have a copy of "Seven American Nights" in a Tor double dos-a-dos chapbook paperback, twinned with another novella, can't think what though, I must dig it out. If you said to me 'No more novels for you, it's all collections from now on," I'd be quite happy.
@@outlawbookselleroriginal I remember those Tor Doubles. I have several of them & they're great - the novella/short novel length is well suited to this genre.
@@outlawbookselleroriginal
Seven American Nights is intriguing because I have no idea what it's *about*.
The title seems to recall the song Seven Drunken Nights.
Also a family resemblance with the book (and TV show) Station 11, with theatre folk attempting to preserve civilization in a ravaged USA.
@@alanpennie8013 I felt 'Station Eleven' also owed a debt to George R Stewart's 'Earth Abides', which in its closing chapters develops a theme about language and the survival of literary creativity, very poignant. Of course Stewart and Wolfe were not just decades ahead of Mandel, but superior prose stylists too.
Given my UA-cam handle and profile picture, it will come as little surprise that Wolfe is my favorite author. Though that did not come right away. When I first finished the Book of the New Sun, I wasn't sure what to think. I was not even sure if I enjoyed it. Upon reread, however, I discovered a depth that I had never before experienced in SF and still really have not outside of Wolfe. Really the only thing that compares in my reading experience is Joyce's Ulysses, and in both cases, as you alluded to, you get what you put into the works. A surface-level reading can leave one wondering what all the fuss is about, but once you actively read and reread, new depths open up.
I love this particular short story and have read it more than any other short story. It would probably be my recommendation for someone's introduction to reading Wolfe before moving on to the Fifth Head of Cerberus and then trying BotNS.
Yes, it's excellent. I haven't read 'Cerberus' for many years, but a few months back acquired a US first hardcover- I had the Uk first hardcover a long time ago and sold it when I needed some cash-at least 15 years ago, I'd say. I have UK first hardcovers of all the BOTNS volumes, 'Free Live Free', 'Peace', 'Storeys from the Old Hotel' (signed numbered limited edition), a US first of 'There Are Doors' and of course paperbacks of a number of his works as well.
Will track this one down The only Wolfe I"ve read are SOTT and COTC. I really enjoyed them and will work through the rest. Work is the apt word I think. It's "work" I enjoy but i need to be in the mood to give these books the attention they deserve. Really enjoying the content - Cheers.
Cheers Barrie.
Great video. I am a big fan of Gene Wolfe, and enjoyed your commentary on his story.
Thanks very much, I'm pleased you liked it. If a big fan approves, I'm happy!
Great one Steve.
Thanks Matt.
I agree that Gene Wolfe experimented a lot so each of his stories is a hit or miss. But when it is a hit it is more beautiful and deeper than stories by other authors. Book of the New Sun is my favorite novel.
I'd agree with this. Some I re-read to get more out of, but some leave me cold even on a second or third attempt- one thing is sure, he pushed the envelope and always aimed to do interesting work.
I read The Fifth Head of Cerberus decades ago, and I should return to reread it. Other than that work, my reading of Gene Wolfe has been neglectful. I've started reading Shadow & Claw, the first half of The Book of the New Sun. I picked it up recently in a local bookshop because it was the only title that I could recognize, and because it was Gene Wolfe, the only Gene Wolfe of the whole SF section. I can't believe that bookshops here are in such a lackadaisical state. I want to read more of his ouvre, and eventually I will be getting Doctor Death And Others Stories And Other Stories, love that title. I like the aspect of GW's writing that requires reading carefully at a measured pace, and rereading. An excellent video, by the way, that whets one's appetite for climbing the Everest of Gene Wolfe's stories and novels. You hit the right tone for such an endeavor.
There's a certain kind of reverential air that coalesces around Wolfe and I'm not always sure it is deserved, but he's not someone you can rush into reading with the wrong expectations. An open mind and a stately approach is necessary, I've found. I still have many books by him to read- and I find re-reading him essential.
I really should read more of his work to see if he deserves the hype. I've started to read The Shadow of the Torturer, and I'm getting the weird vibe that I've read this, at least the beginning, somewhere before.
What would be your top 5 or so SF short story collections?
Well, you'll have to wait until I do a video on this subject, but there are existing videos here on two of my preferred collections by Harlan Ellison and Alfred Bester- and both are mentioned in my '25 Best Science Fiction Books I've Ever Read' video series, both episodes of which are easily found in the 'popular uploads' section of the channel.
I've read that story more times than any other of Wolfe's works. I own almost everything that he has written, and admit that I don't always get what he is saying, but the more you read him, the more you get. One thing to mention is that the names of his characters are very carefully chosen, mostly with religious or mythological references. You get much more if you have a dictionary of Catholic saints alongside your book.
So I would say that Wolfe is possibly the only real genious that SF has produced, even if many of his later books are completely baffling.
I look forward to more Wolfe in the future, but perhaps best to keep away from the New Sun books. They have been analysed to death.
Yeah, John Clute is very big on the religious references in Wolfe, but I've never tried the name association game with Wolfe- though I am going to do this as I re-read his work and tackle a few I've not read. When watching this video back I kept thinking of Tom Disch, whose genius is all on the surface in many ways and who- of course- hated the Catholic Church. I find "The Island..." very moving too.
I'm not a Catholic, nor very religious at all, but I do think that non-catholics find it hard to understand all of his meanings. Wolfe had deep beliefs which influenced most aspects of his life, but he also liked to play games by dropping in details that only people who were well informed about Catholic traditions would appreciate.
I like this episode. Now listening to audio books (my eyes are weak and cannot afford the actual books) presently finishing The Forever War by Joe Haldeman which is one of the greats imho. I know it is not your area but any recommendations for Audibooks? Thanks for the Jack Vance ideas for further listening (on the list after Robert A. Heinlein) To relax am watching B+W movies, last one ''The Earth Dies SCREAMING'' which is so very cheap and I loved it. Classic stuff.
I never listen to audiobooks so I don't look at what is out there, sorry. I know there's a lot, but can't really comment on this.
I picked up The Best of Gene Wolfe last summer and have been slowly working through it. Just finished the story “The Death of Doctor Island” which was great and full of the puzzles that Wolfe loves to put on to the reader. I probably foolishly passed on picking up a nice paperback set of the Long Sun series that was with this volume, but I read it before and have too much to read now as it is.
I read and own the New Sun + Urth set and started a reread of that as well. I love how Wolfe makes me read and it makes reading other less-skilled authors of all genres difficult.
I have struggled and not liked some of his works (I have a lot left, thankfully). Wizard Knight was a chore and I did not care for Home Fires.
I think there's a general feeling that some of the later books don't cut it. Despite sometimes finding him frustrating, he is fascinating and I like the fact he makes me work for it.
Hello Steve, Would you tell me what that book is with TANGIER on its spine on the shelf behind you (the one next to SARDINIA)? I'm writing a long piece about the city and trying to read as much about it as possible. Thanks. Joë
'Tangier: From The Romans to The Rolling Stones' by Richard Hamilton, Tauris Parke. The other title of interest on that shelf is 'Tangier: A Literary Guide For Travellers' by Josh Shoemaker, I B Tauris. Neither are available in paperback, I suspect.
I haven’t read much of Wolfe’s short fiction. I’ll rectify that based on your analysis of this great story which I have read.
As an aside I have to say that I’m the only one I know who prefers his Soldier novels to the New Sun tetralogy. I thought the first two volumes of New Sun were fantastic. The latter two volumes left me somewhat cold except for the very ending of Autarch. But I loved The Urth of the New Sun which I understand is considered a misstep by Wolfe. Go figure.
I think the 'Soldier' books are underrated. My take on them will appear in the future.
Interesting analysis of a great author 👀
Thanks very much- more on Wolfe to come before the end of November.
@@outlawbookselleroriginal Looking forward to it! Cheers
First time viewer, fantastic break down of this great short story! We are going to do an episode about it in the near future, would you be interested in joining us? Thank you again for this great content! - Nikita.
Very kind offer but I am cutting back on my YT activity, especially collabs as I have huge issues with timetabling currently. I'm glad you liked the video though, plenty more like this here.
A good perspective on a great story, Steve.
What do I think of Wolfe, a self effacing genius, who never saw in his work the greatness others, including me, saw. I see in his short stories Borgese, Thomas Mann and a bit of Salvador Dali too, as well as SF influences, Avram Davidson for example.
The collection is another lost Kerosina title. Story intros were written, dustwrapper art was under way, the mss of the bonus volume was with me (and still is).
One correction to your commentary, there are four tales in the cycle, the fourth story, "The Death of the Island Doctor", is embedded in the introduction to "The Wolfe Archipelago" (Ziesing), a nice piece of Wolfe trickery.
I kept thinking "I'm sure there's a fourth one," so I must look for the Zeising book - though little excuse is needed to look for Marc's work, they're always lovely. I see Borges there immediately and the Thomas Mann thought makes sense to me too. Sorry to hear we never got that other Kerosina Wolfe. Thanks for your kind comments as ever, mate.
I've always considered Wolfe one of the finest short story writers of his generation - not just in SF. La Befana is pretty much perfect. The success of his novels, which I admire but do not enjoy, has always annoyed me. It effectively stopped his shorter writing, a great pity in my opinion. It's not the prose, it's the plotting, mise en scene and shorthand characters that make them effective.
Interesting view- as I said, I felt this story would stand up to any in American literature in that time. So many writers eschew shorts in time, but it's usually for commercial reasons- the market shrinks for them and this is literature's loss, I feel.
Neither cover is super great but the two covers of dr death show how lame covers have gotten in the past 10-20 years. “Oh, death? Put a skull on it”
Yep, the Tor cover is pretty bad. The Pennington one, however, does stir the imagination- well, mine anyway, but that's nostalgia for you.