Title: The Claw of the Conciliator
Author: Gene Wolfe
First published January 1, 1981
303 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780671416164 (ISBN10: 0671416162)
Rating: 3.99
Overview
Severian, wielding his sword Terminus Est, possesses a gem of immense power: “The Claw of the Conciliator”. This legendary relic is said to have belonged to the Master of Power, a mythical figure of great renown.
As Severian embarks on his journey to Thrax, the city of his exile, he encounters peculiar creatures, bizarre rituals, and a mysterious foreigner named Jonas. Will Severian be able to navigate the challenges ahead with the help of the Claw and his trusty sword?
The answers lie within the pages of Gene Wolfe’s gripping novel, The Claw of the Conciliator.
About the Author
Gene Wolfe was a celebrated author of science fiction and fantasy from America. He was known for his rich and complex writing style, which often contained references to his Catholic faith, which he adopted after marrying a Catholic woman.
Wolfe was a prolific writer of short stories and novels, and his contributions to the field have earned him numerous awards.
One of the most prestigious honors that Wolfe received was the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award. This award is given by SFWA to recognize lifetime achievement in science fiction and/or fantasy.
Wolfe was inducted into the Grand Master ranks alongside other luminaries like Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, and Ursula K. Le Guin.
The award was presented to him at the 48th Annual Nebula Awards Weekend in San Jose, CA, in May of 2013.
Wolfe’s interest in speculative fiction began while he was attending Texas A&M University. He published his first works in The Commentator, a student literary journal.
However, he left college during his junior year to serve in the Korean War. Upon returning to the United States, he obtained a degree from the University of Houston and worked as an industrial engineer.
Wolfe eventually retired from engineering to focus on his writing, although he did make a notable contribution to the manufacturing process for Pringles potato chips. He lived in Barrington, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
Throughout his career, Wolfe was nominated for many awards, although he did not always win. Nevertheless, he was recognized for his contributions to the genre with awards like the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement and the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award.
He was also honored with induction into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame.
Editoral Review
The Claw of the Conciliator: A Gripping Tale of Adventure and Philosophy
Gene Wolfe’s The Claw of the Conciliator, published in 1981, is the second book in the tetralogy called The Book of the New Sun. Set in a distant future, the novel is a blend of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, mixed with philosophical musings and religious imagery.
Wolfe’s writing style is dense, complex, and sometimes opaque, but also lush, poetic, and evocative. The story follows Severian, a young torturer who is exiled from his guild and embarks on a journey that leads him to become a journeyman in the Order of Seekers for Truth and Penitence, a mysterious sect that seeks to unravel the secrets of the past and the nature of the universe.
Along the way, Severian encounters various people and creatures, including a giant claw that is said to have healing powers, a mysterious woman named Thecla, who becomes his lover and mentor, and a giant, floating, autonomous city called the Citadel. The plot of the novel is convoluted and nonlinear, with many flashbacks, dream sequences, and foreshadowings.
The setting is a mix of the medieval, the baroque, and the futuristic, with technology that is both advanced and archaic, such as robots, spaceships, and ray guns, as well as swords, shields, and castles. The conflicts are both external and internal, as Severian struggles with his own identity, morality, and destiny, while also facing enemies, rivals, and challenges.
The themes of the novel are manifold and profound, touching on issues such as identity, memory, truth, justice, faith, mortality, and transcendence. Wolfe’s philosophy is rooted in various source materials, including Gnosticism, Catholicism, philosophy, and mythology, but he also adds his own twists and innovations.
For example, the concept of soul is reimagined as a physical substance that can be transferred from one body to another, and the concept of time is depicted as a fluid and malleable entity that can be manipulated by certain artifacts or technologies. The strengths of the novel are many, including the richness of the worldbuilding, the complexity of the characters, the depth of the themes, and the beauty of the prose.
The descriptions of the landscapes, the architecture, and the creatures are vivid and immersive, creating a sense of wonder and awe. The characterization of Severian is also impressive, as he is a flawed and contradictory protagonist, who is both relatable and enigmatic.
The philosophical musings are also thought-provoking and illuminating, shedding light on many existential questions and dilemmas. The weaknesses of the novel are few but notable, including the occasional confusion caused by the nonlinear plot, the occasional slow pace and repetition, and the occasional obscurity of the language and symbolism.
Some readers may find the novel too dense, too esoteric, or too grim, as it deals with themes of violence, sexuality, and death. Overall, The Claw of the Conciliator is a masterful work of speculative fiction that deserves to be praised and studied.
It is a book that rewards careful reading and rereading, as it offers many layers of meaning and significance. It is a book that challenges the reader’s intellect, imagination, and emotions, as it explores the mysteries of the human condition and the universe.
It is a book that can be read as a standalone story, but also as part of a larger epic that spans multiple volumes and dimensions. Therefore, I highly recommend The Claw of the Conciliator to fans of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, who are looking for a deep and immersive reading experience.
I also recommend it to readers who are interested in philosophy, religion, and mythology, who are looking for a novel that explores profound and timeless ideas. I give it a score of 9 out of 10, based on its originality, complexity, and beauty.
