Shadow of the Torturer
by Gene Wolfe
Total Points
#485
- Pages
- 211
Severian is a torturer, born to the guild and with an exceptionally promising career ahead of him . . . until he falls in love with one of his victims, a beautiful young noblewoman. Her excruciations are delayed for some months and, out of love, Severian helps her commit suicide and escape her fate. For a torturer, there is no more unforgivable act. In punishment he is exiled from the guild and...
Reader Reviews (4)
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Jul 14th, 2018
Apr 5th, 2018
This was mesmerizing! Very different!
May 18th, 2017
Jul 30th, 2013
This is the first book of a tetralogy (which itself is part of a more overarching series). Despite being a mere 211 pages, it is impossible to quickly give any good summary. Severian, who forgets nothing, is recalling his life. As a child, he was abandoned to the Seekers of Truth and Penitence (the torturers guild), which sort of explains the title. Gene Wolfe is held in special awe by readers and writers of S/F alike. You need to pay very close attention and/or reread his books to figure out just what is going on, even though they seem to be deceptively simple. I've read these books multiple times and will do so again.
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