ReReading Wolfe
A chapter by chapter discussion of Gene Wolfe's science fantasy masterpiece "The Book of the New Sun", starting with "The Shadow of the Torturer." Spoiler heavy.
Episodes
tbotns 3-10,11,12 The Dorcas Break-Up Part 2
No listener comments in this one, so nothing to skip past.
The Sword of the Lictor The Dorcas Break-Up Part 2 Chapter 10-12 "Lead", "The Hand of the Past", "Following the Flood"
The second part of Dorcas and Severian's breakup, in which... honestly, it's too sad to be snarky.
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Patron-only bonus content can be accessed here.
This episode's bonus content: two of four of Wolfe's early stabs at dete
tbotns 3-10,11,12 The Dorcas Break-Up Part 1
Listener comments end at: 24:25
The Sword of the Lictor The Dorcas Break-Up Part 1 Chapter 10-12 "Lead", "The Hand of the Past", "Following the Flood
The first part of Dorcas and Severian's breakup, along with some drama about vomiting odd things.
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Patron-only bonus content can be accessed here.
This episode's bonus content: two of four of Wolfe's early stabs at detective stories, now collected
tbotns 3-9 "The Salamander"
Listener comments end at: 28:00
The Sword of the Lictor Chapter 9 "The Salamander"
After a spiritually fulfilling evening at the jacal with the children, Severian has an encounter with the local fauna.
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Patron-only bonus content can be accessed here.
This episode's bonus content: Gene Wolfe's 1974 essay ''The Tolkien Toll-Free Fifties Freeway to Mordor & Points Beyond Hurray!" from Vector 67
tbotns 3-8 "Upon the Cliff"
Listener comments end at: 26:30
The Sword of the Lictor Chapter 8 "Upon the Cliff"
Severian and Cyriaca keep flirting until Abdesius shows up.
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Patron-only bonus content can be accessed here.
This episode's bonus content: Gene Wolfe's ''Mathoms from the Time Closet"
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Links:
* Facebook
- Chapters 11 and 12 Cyriaca's Story
- Chapter 7 'Attractions'
- Chapter 6 'The Library of the Citadel'
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* Red
RRW Bonus: CSE Claire Cooney and Carlos Hernandez interview
Craig talks to CSE Cooney and Carlos Hernandez
CSE Cooney met Wolfe early in her career, and he became something of a mentor to her. Craig caught up with her and her husband at Gen Con where they were releasing and demo-ing their new narrative role playing game Negocios Infernales (all about aliens infiltrating 16th century European culture). Check out her collection Bone Swans or the novel Twice
tbotns 3-11 and 12 Cyriaca's Wrap Up
Listener comments end at: 10:05
The Sword of the Lictor Cyriaca flashbacks in Chapters 11 and 12
No. You did not miss an episode. We have skipped Severian's actions immediately after leaving the party to discuss the end of Severian and Cyriaca's tryst -- related to Dorcas in her little motel room.
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Patron-only bonus content can be accessed HERE.
This episode's bonus content: Gene Wolfe's ''The T
tbotns 3-7 "Attractions"
Listener comments end at: 21:45
The Sword of the Lictor Chapter 7 "Attractions"
Severian and Cyriaca keep flirting until Abdesius shows up.
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Patron-only bonus content can be accessed here.
This episode's bonus content: Gene Wolfe's ''The Tale of the Four Accused"
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Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 7 'Attractions'
- Chapter 6 'The Library of the Citadel'
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* Reddit
- Chapter 7 'Attractions'
- Chapter 6
Bonus: Ryan Leslie talks about The Between and The Garden of Before (and Wolfe)
Ryan Leslie Interview
Ryan Leslie is a writer whose third book, The Garden of Before, is coming out on September 23, 2025. We discuss his other books The Between and Colossus (which Craig narrated for him -- the audiobook is available on Audible).
Links:
* The Between
* Colossus
* Audiobook of Colossus (narrated by Craig)
* Incubus (Shatner's Esperanto movie)
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This episode is sponsored by Self-C
tbotns 3-6 "The Library of the Citadel"
Listener comments end at: 18:10
The Sword of the Lictor Chapter 6 "The Library of the Citadel"
Severian and Cyriaca keep each other company while Cyriaca relates a strange story that is also vaguely familiar.
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Patron-only bonus content can be accessed here.
This episode's bonus content: Gene Wolfe's ''Incubator"
You can read it HERE
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Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 6 'The Library of the Citadel'
- C
tbotns 3-5 Cyriaca
Listener comments end at: 14:45
The Sword of the Lictor Chapter 5 "Cyriaca"
Severian goes to a party and chats up a girl in a nun costume.
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Patron-only bonus content can be accessed here.
This episode's bonus content: Gene Wolfe's ''British in Bloomington"
You can read it HERE
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Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 5 'Cyriaca'
- Chapter 4 'In the Bartizan of the Vincula'
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* Reddit
- Chapter 5 'Cyriaca'
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tbotns 3-4 In the Bartizan of the Vincula
Listener comments end at: 30:32
The Sword of the Lictor Chapter 4 "In the Bartizan of the Vincula"
Severian has a project management meeting with his boss.
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Patron-only bonus content can be accessed here.
This episode's bonus content: Gene Wolfe's ''Sob in the Silence"
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Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 3 'Outside the Jacal'
- Chapter 2 "Upon the Cataract"
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* Reddit
- Chapter 3 'Outside the Jacal'
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tBotNS 3:3 Outside the Jacal
Listener comments end at: 23: 50
The Sword of the Lictor Chapter 3 "Outside the Jacal"
Severian sets up Dorcas in a cheap motel, tries to explain himself, gets lost (of course), and ends up outside of some poor people's house.
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Patron-only bonus content can be accessed here.
This episode's bonus content: Gene Wolfe's 'King Under the Mountain'
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Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 3 'Outside the Jacal'
tBotNS 3:2 Upon the Cataract
Listener comments end at: 38: 10
The Sword of the Lictor Chapter 2 "Upon the Cataract"
After his fight with Dorcas, Severian takes a walking tour of Thrax.
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Patron-only bonus content can be accessed here.
This episode's bonus content: Gene Wolfe's 'The Case of the Vanishing Ghost'
You can ready this 1951 undergrad Wolfe story here.
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Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 2 "Upon the Cataract"
- Chapter
tBotNS 3:1 Master of the House of Chains
Listener comments end at: 45:05
The Sword of the Lictor Chapter 1 "Master of the House of Chains"
Severian starts his new job. Dorcas is unhappy
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Patron-only bonus content can be accessed here.
This episode's bonus content: Gene Wolfe's 'Why I Was Hanged'
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Links:
* Facebook
- Claw of the Conciliator Summary
- Chapter 31 "The Cleansing" Part 2
- Special All-Comments Episode
- Chapter 31 "The Cle
tBotNS 2 Summary Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New
Listener comments end at: 1:02:35
The Claw of the Conciliator Summary
At long last we put paid to the second volume.
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Patron-only bonus content can be accessed here.
This episodes's bonus content: Gene Wolfe's 'The Green Wall Said'
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Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 31 "The Cleansing" Part 2
- Special All-Comments Episode
- Chapter 31 "The Cleansing" Part 1
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* Reddit
- Chapter 31 "The Cleansing" Par
tBotNS 2:31 The Cleansing PART 2 - Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 46:00
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 31 "The Cleansing" Part 2
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Patron-only bonus content can be accessed here.
This episodes's bonus content: Gene Wolfe's 'The Green Wall Said'
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Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 31 "The Cleansing" Part 2
- Special All-Comments Episode
- Chapter 31 "The Cleansing" Part 1
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* Reddit
- Chapter 31 "The Cleansing" Part 2
- Special All-Comm
tBotNS Special All-Comments Episode 1
Listener comments starts at: 0:00:00
cuz it's aaaaall comments
Special All-Comments Episode
This is an all comments episode where we go through comments we might have missed talking about in this crazy half-year.
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You can become a patron and hear additional episodes at https://www.patreon.com/rereadingwolfe
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You can get episodes on your podcast app or on our Youtube channel.
Note: Youtube sub
tBotNS 2:31 The Cleansing PART 1 - Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 1:00:00
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 31 "The Cleansing"
After Hildegrin reveals himself, Severian and Dorcas' encounter with the Witches continues.
Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 31 "The Cleansing"
- Chapter 30 "The Badger Again"
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* Reddit
- Chapter 31 "The Cleansing"
- Chapter 30 "The Badger Again"
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This episode is sponsored by Insta-Sommelier Medical App!
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tBotNS 2:30 The Badger Again - Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 38:00
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 30 "The Badger Again"
Severian and Dorcas and Jolenta arrive at the Stone Town and encounter two witches, but, gee, it really looked like there was someone else with them. 'No' you say, Merryn? Well, okay. Oh! Wait now you've changed your story...!
For Patrons, check out the special super-duper version with secret high-quality bon
tBotNS 2:29 The Herdsman - Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 38:00
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 29 "The Herdsman"
Severian and Dorcas and Jolenta have an eventful morning and afternoon --almost too eventful to be believed -- filled with roast beef, bull riding, and encounters with the animal kingdom.
For Patrons, check out the special super-duper version with secret high-quality bonus content starting at 1:54:00 where we ta
tBotNS 2:28 The Odalisque of Abaia - Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 45:05
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 28 "The Odalisque of Abaia"
Severian, like Fezzig, dreams of large women. But turns out it's not a dream. And Dorcas bleeds from her wrists.
For Patrons, check out the special super-duper version with secret high-quality bonus content starting at 2:31:30 where we talk about Wolfe's uncollected story "Thou Spark of Blood"
Bonus Christmas Episode 2022 - Christmas Inn by Gene Wolfe and added discussion by James and Craig
First, a very unofficial reading of "Christmas Inn" by Gene Wolfe, narrated by Craig. Then James and Craig discuss the story.
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This episode is sponsored by Kith and Kin the Party Game!
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You can become a patron and hear additional episodes at https://www.patreon.com/rereadingwolfe
-
You can get episodes on your podcast app or on our Youtube channel.
Note: Youtube subscribers in some locales might
tBotNS 2:27 Toward Thrax - Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 14:35
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 27 "Toward Thrax"
Severian, Dorcas and Jolenta camp out Severian dreams of Mama. Then he gets a call.
For Patrons, check out the special super-duper version with secret high-quality bonus content starting at 1:22:44.. Where we talk about Wolfe's uncollected werwolf story "Innocent."
Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 27 "Towar
tBotNS 2:26 The Parting - Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 17:07
Patron bonus content starts at: 1:39:15: Wolfe's uncollected Robert E. Howard homage: "Six From Atlantis"
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 26 "The Parting"
Severian, Dorcas, and Jolenta choose the road NOT traveled by Talos and Baldanders.
Links:
- If you'd like to listen to the Patron episodes on your regular podcast app, it's easy to do in just a few steps: He
tBotNS 2:25 The Attack on the Heirodules - Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 20:56
Bonus content starts at: 1:45:34
Note: It's really not very bonus-y. It's just us talking about what we should do in the bonus section to make it worth it. But in the future it will only be available on the Patreon site and there will be a link to it here in the show notes.
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 25 "The Attack on the Heirodules"
After the thrilling end
tBotNS 2:24 Dr. Talos’s Play Part 5 - Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 21:45
Play Summaries start at: 1:49:50
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" - PART 4
The Glorious end of the play complete with factionalism and recriminations.
Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" Part 5
- Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" Part 4
- Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" Part 3
- Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" Part 2
- Chapter 24 "Dr.
Dispatch from The Shadow of the Con - Worldcon 2022
Craig and James talk about The Shadow of the Con: our little Wolfecon within a con at Worldcon 2022 with other Wolfe fans.
Watch the "Gene Wolfe Renaissance" panel from Worldcon here.
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This episode is sponsored by No Mo' FOMO
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You can become a patron and hear additional episodes at https://www.patreon.com/rereadingwolfe
-
You can get episodes on your podcast app or on our Youtube channel.
Note
tBotNS 2:24 Dr. Talos’s Play Part 4 - Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 23:10
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" - PART 4
Statues! Autarchs! Demons!
Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" Part 4
- Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" Part 3
- Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" Part 2
- Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" Part 1
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* Reddit
- Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" Part 4
- Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" Part 3
- Chapter
tBotNS 2:24 Dr. Talos’s Play Part 3 - Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 50:30.
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" - PART 3
We push on! The Contessa sparks confusion and disagreement. Then we get theological. Links:
* The Garden of Earthly Delights
* Facebook
- Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" Part 3
- Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" Part 2
- Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" Part 1
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* Reddit
- Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" Pa
tBotNS 2:24 Dr. Talos’s Play Part 2 - Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 29:45
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" - PART 2
We push on! We encounter Jahi and a statue. Craig and Marc Aramini grapple. James flounders. Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" Part 2
- Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" Part 1
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* Reddit
- Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" Part 2
- Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" Part 1
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This episode is spo
tBotNS 2:24 Dr. Talos’s Play Part 1 - Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 37:05
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" - PART 1
Marc Aramini joins us at great event of the late Commonweath has come at last! Talos's play "Eschatology & Genesis!" We get started with it in this episode. We'll keep doing this for as long as it takes.
Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 24 "Dr. Talos's Play" Part 1
- Chapter 23 "Jolenta"
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* Reddit
- C
Bonus: Joan Gordon & Diana Lambert Discuss Jolenta
Joan Gordon and Diane Lambert discuss the meaning and implication of the character Jolenta in The Book of the New Sun.
Gordon wrote the first non-fiction book on Gene Wolfe's works. She's a teacher and scholar.
Lambert is a moderator of the Gene Wolfe Appreciation Society Facebook Group. She is also a teacher and a scholar.
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This episode is sponsored by The Male Gaze Travel Edition!
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You can b
tBotNS 2:23 Jolenta - Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 27:00
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 23 "Jolenta"
Severian and Jolenta tour the House Absolute grounds. Absolutely nothing controversial happens. /sarcasm
Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 23 "Jolenta"
- Chapter 22 "Personifications"
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* Reddit
- Chapter 23 "Jolenta"
- Chapter 22 "Personifications"
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This episode is sponsored by Soporific Bedding and Beyond!
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You can be
Bonus: Darrell Schweitzer talks about interviewing and editing Gene Wolfe & Others
The Darrell Schweitzer Interview
Darrell Schweitzer has been a fanzine/genre magazine contributor and interviewer since the late 60s, a published author since the 70s and the editor of Weird Tales and various anthologies. He is considered a foremost anthologist of weird fiction, dark fantasy, and horror, having edited definitive collections of Lord Dunsany, H. P. Lovecraft, and Robert E. Howard.
tBotNS 2:22 Personifications - Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 24:50
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 22 "Personifications"
Dorcas puts Severian on the couch, but it seems she's the one who could benefit from analysis.
Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 22 "Personifications"
- Chapter 21 "Hydromancy"
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* Reddit
- Chapter 22 "Personifications"
- Chapter 21 "Hydromancy"
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This episode is sponsored by Gothic Garden Fixtures!
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You can bec
016 Reader Interview - Nathan Carson
Nathan Carson: musician, agent, writer, Wolfe interviewer
- nathancarson.rocks
- Interview with Gene Wolfe
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The Questions:
1 First encounter with a Wolfe story.
2 Favorite novel or short story, either or both
3 Favorite Wolfe word
4 A personal non-consensus theory about a Wolfe story or your favorite one.
5 Most frustrating mystery in a Wolfe story (any).
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Do you want to get on our examinati
tBotNS 2:21 Hydromancy - Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 24:50
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 21 "Hydromancy"
Severian reads a really, really big book and then gets his fortune told by the fountain.
Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 21 "Hydromancy"
- Chapter 20 "Pictures"
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* Reddit
- Chapter 21 Hydromancy
- Chapter 20 Pictures
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This episode is sponsored by Tome Tombs!
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You can become a patron and hear additional episodes a
tBotNS 2:20 Pictures - Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 13:05
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 20 "Pictures"
Looking for the Green Room, Severian meets some old friends from the Citadel.
Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 20 "Pictures"
- Chapter 19 "Closets"
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* Reddit
- Chapter 20 Pictures
- Chapter 19 Closets
- Reddit: Part 1 The Usefulness of Valeria
- Reddit Part 2 The Geneology of Valeria
- Reddit Part 3 The Valeria Train
015 Reader Interview - John Kissane
John Kissane considers what makes a Wolfe story special.
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The Questions:
1 First encounter with a Wolfe story.
2 Favorite novel or short story, either or both
3 Favorite Wolfe word
4 A personal non-consensus theory about a Wolfe story or your favorite one.
5 Most frustrating mystery in a Wolfe story (any).
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Do you want to get on our examination table?
Shoot us an email at rereadingwolfe@gmai
tBotNS 2:19 Closets - Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 30:35
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 19 "Closets"
After Jonas disappeared into the mirror, Severian goes looking for his sword and encounters old friends and new ones.
Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 19 "Closets"
- Chapter 17b The Tale of the Student and His Son
- Capricon Dispatch
- Noodus' Crab C'thuhlu
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* Reddit
- Chapter 19 Closets
- A Mantis View on "The Student
Dispatch from Capricon
Warning: almost no Wolfe content at all. James and Craig just sit around in the same room (for the first time ever) and talk about going to a relatively uneventful con. Never say we don't provide novel, exciting content. But we do throw around some ideas for a Wolfe-con near the end.
And we mention books we bought and/or learned about:
Damon Knight, Three Novels
Humphrey Carter, Tolkien: A Biograp
tBotNS 2:17b The Tale of the Student and His Son - pts 3, 4, and 5 - Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 30:35
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 17 parts 3, 4, & 5, "The Tale of the Student and His Son"
Severian continues to read to Jonas from the "The Book of the Wonders of Urth and Sky:" "The Encounter with the Princess," "The Battle with the Ogre," and "The Death of the Student."
Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 17b
- Chapter 17a The Tale of the Student and His Son
- R
014 Reader Interview - Sian Greening
The story of a youth who encounters strange people in a moment of rebellion which sets them on a path to leave their family and their ideals behind. Yes, that's Severian's story. It's also Sian's.
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The Questions:
1 First encounter with a Wolfe story.
2 Favorite novel or short story, either or both
3 Favorite Wolfe word
4 A personal non-consensus theory about a Wolfe story or your favorite one
Christmas Special 2021 - How the Bishop Sailed to Inniskeen
Craig and James talk about Gene Wolfe's Christmas ghost story "How the Bishop Sailed to Inniskeen."
Published in:
* Spirits of Christmas: Twenty Other-Worldly Tales (1989)
* Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine, (December 1989)
* Innocents Aboard: New Fantasy Stories (2004)
* Season of Wonder (2012)
David G Hartwell Christmas books:
* Christmas Ghosts (1987)
* Spirits of Christmas (1989)
* Ch
tBotNS 2:17a The Tale of the Student and His Son - pts 1 and 2 - Gene Wolfe‘s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 15:45
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 17 parts 1 & 2, "The Tale of the Student and His Son"
Severian reads to Jonas from the "The Book of the Wonders of Urth and Sky:" "The Redoubt of the Magicians" and "The Fleshing of the Hero."
Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 18 Mirrors
- Chapter 16 Jonas (part 2)
- Chapter 16, Jonas (part 1)
* Reddit
- Chapter 18 Mirrors
- Chap
tBotNS 2:18 - Mirrors - Gene Wolfe’s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 27:45
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 18, "Mirrors"
Severian wakes up as Thecla. Hethor's critter is hunting them, so Sev wakes up Jonas and they go to Inire's mirrors.
Links:
- The Yarn of the Nancy Bell
- Stephen Frug on Jonas
* Facebook
- Chapter 16 Jonas (part 2)
- Chapter 16, Jonas (part 1)
* Reddit
- Chapter 16 (part 2)
- Chapter 16 (part 1)
-
T
tBotNS 2:16 Jonas - pt 2 - Gene Wolfe’s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 51:05
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 16, "Jonas"
The chapter continues with Severian gets treats from the concession cart. Jonas discusses his past in his broken confused way. He talks about Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking Glass."
Links:
- Tea-based time travel clue in the Atrium of Time
- Teilhard de Chardin and THEORY of OMEGA POINT
- Matt
Bonus: Brian Evenson talks about genre-busting fiction
The (first) Brian Evenson Interview
Brian Evenson is an academic and acclaimed, award-winning author of novels and stories spanning every conceivable genre. Naturally he is also a Wolfe fan.
Links:
* Blending Fantasy and Sci-Fi in Gene Wolfe’s The Shadow of the Torturer at Tor.com
* brianevenson.com
* bibliography
* "The Glassy Burning Floor of Hell"
* Interview at Los Angeles Review of Books
"
tBotNS 2:16 Jonas - pt 1 - Gene Wolfe’s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 1:05:00
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 16, "Jonas"
Innocents of the Antechamber are whipped and terrorized by Great Wizard of Oz knock-offs, and robot-man Jonas can't decide on the definition of sanity. (The first of two episodes on this chapter.)
Links:
* Sierra Reynolds on Kim Il Sung and Kimleesoong
* Stephen Frug on Heliocentric metaphors and hunting leopar
tBotNS 2:15 The Fool's Fire - Gene Wolfe’s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 45:15
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 15, "The Fool's Fire"
Severian meets the inhabitants of the Antechamber (not that he learns it is called that) and Jonas starts his mental breakdown.
Links:
* Jordon Flato and the Claw
* Chris Ott: A dweller in forgotten yesterdays
* Mark Mandarano and Sev thinks about his death in the Flower of Dissolution chapter
* Gary Owens
Bonus Cross-Post: Varn Vlog Interviews The Rereading Wolfe Podcast
C Derick Varn Interviews Craig and James
Derick interviewed us about Gene Wolfe, his works, and his legacy.
Links:
* The Varn Vlog: Voice Podcast
* Varn Vlog Video on YouTube
* Varn Vlog Patreon Site
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You can become a patron and hear additional episodes at https://www.patreon.com/rereadingwolfe
-
You can also get episodes on your podcast app or on our Youtube channel. If you have problems acc
Bonus: Ada Palmer talks about Gene Wolfe, his legacy, and The Book of the New Sun
The Ada Palmer Interview
Ada Palmer wrote the introductions to the latest edition of "Shadow & Claw" from Tor, "The Path of the New Sun" as well as to the upcoming "Sword & Citadel." And now she talks to us. Yay!
She is a professor of History at the University of Chicago and a scholar of the Renaissance. Her novel "Too Like the Lightning" was a Hugo Award nominee in 2017, and that year she won th
tBotNS 2:14 The Antechamber - Gene Wolfe’s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 14:15
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 14, "The Antechamber"
Severian and Jonas do NOT "come to the garden alone," but instead are accompanied by invisible praetorians and strange giant statues.
Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 14 The Antechamber
- Chapter 13 The Claw of the Conciliator
* Reddit
- Chapter 14 The Antechamber
- Chapter 13 The Claw of the Conciliator
tBotNS 2:13 The Claw of the Conciliator - Gene Wolfe’s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 48:30
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 13, "The Claw of the Conciliator"
Severian resurrects an uhlan and reconnects with the president of his fan club and its first rank and file member.
Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 13 The Claw of the Conciliator
- Chapter 12 Notules
- Jeremy Sheets Correction on Baluchitheres, etc
- Stephen Frug's corrections and comments on
tBotNS 2:12 The Notules - Gene Wolfe’s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 20:06
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 12, "The Notules"
Severian and Jonas flee extra-terrestrial ritual murder bats.
Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 12 Notules
- Chapter 11 Thecla
* Reddit
- Chapter 12 Notules
- Chapter 11 Thecla
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This episode is sponsored by Sticky Reckonings!
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You can become a patron and hear additional episodes at https://www.patreon.com/rere
tBotNS 2:11 Thecla - Gene Wolfe’s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 19:30
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 11, "Thecla"
Severian and Jonas share a meal with the Vodalarii -- and that meal is Thecla.
Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 11 Thecla
- Chapter 10 Thea
* Reddit
- Chapter 11 Thecla
- Chapter 10 Thea
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This episode is sponsored by Fine Art Barbeque!
-
You can become a patron and hear additional episodes at https://www.patreon.co
013 Reader Interview - Aaron Raisey
From New Zealand, Aaron Raisey, collector of signed, first edition Gene Wolfe books, brings love for "The Land Across."
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* Aaron's Instagram
* Author Hugh Walters
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The Questions:
1 First encounter with a Wolfe story.
2 Favorite novel or short story, either or both
3 Favorite Wolfe word
4 A personal non-consensus theory about a Wolfe story or your favorite one.
5 Most frustrating mystery in
012 Reader Interview - Mike Farrar
Mike Farrar draws the line between the Whorl and Yesod.
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The Questions:
1 First encounter with a Wolfe story.
2 Favorite novel or short story, either or both
3 Favorite Wolfe word
4 A personal non-consensus theory about a Wolfe story or your favorite one.
5 Most frustrating mystery in a Wolfe story (any).
-
Do you want to get on our examination table?
Shoot us an email at rereadingwolfe@gma
tBotNS 2:10 Thea - Gene Wolfe’s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 21:45
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 10, "Thea"
Over lunch with Severian and Jonas, Vodalus discusses his plan to return humanity to space and his Megatherian allies. Thea reveals an... unsavory... secret about the Vodalarii.
Links:
* "Chapter Guide to The Shadow of the Torturer" by Matthew Chiarello
* Phorusrhacos
* Behold the Lord High Executioner
* Facebook
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011 Reader Interview - Sierra Reynolds
Sierra Reynolds reads from her magic, fabled notes.
Fact checking:
"cacogen" = "an anti-social person"? Checks out.
Lexicon Urthus notes this but James was never fully conscious of it.
"Jolenta" and violet flowers? Checks out.
Lexicon Urthus associates the name with "Jolie" but it definitely is also possible to associate with Iolantha which means "violet flower." Also with names like Jolanta
010 Reader Interview - Keith Adams
Keith Adams and the Soviet Vampires!
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The Questions:
1 First encounter with a Wolfe story.
2 Favorite novel or short story, either or both
3 Favorite Wolfe word
4 A personal non-consensus theory about a Wolfe story or your favorite one.
5 Most frustrating mystery in a Wolfe story (any).
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Do you want to get on our examination table?
Shoot us an email at rereadingwolfe@gmail.com
Or DM us on o
tBotNS 2:09 The Liege of Leaves - Gene Wolfe’s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 34:02
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 09, "The Liege of Leaves"
Severian and Jonas ride a baluchithere and Severian gets to meet his hero, and the introduction goes about as perfectly as he could have hoped. Alas, meeting his hero turns out the way meeting your heroes often turns out.
Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 09 The Liege of Leaves
- Chapter 08 The Cultellari
009 Reader Interview - Sean Michael Robinson
Sean Michael Robinson, illustrator and musician, turns the tables and interrogates his interrogator.
* Publisher at Living the Line Books
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The Questions:
1 First encounter with a Wolfe story.
2 Favorite novel or short story, either or both
3 Favorite Wolfe word
4 A personal non-consensus theory about a Wolfe story or your favorite one.
5 Most frustrating mystery in a Wolfe story (any).
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Do y
008 Reader Interview - Korkut Gule
Korkut Gule brings it from Singapore.
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The Questions:
1 First encounter with a Wolfe story.
2 Favorite novel or short story, either or both
3 Favorite Wolfe word
4 A personal non-consensus theory about a Wolfe story or your favorite one.
5 Most frustrating mystery in a Wolfe story (any).
-
Do you want to get on our examination table?
Shoot us an email at rereadingwolfe@gmail.com
Or DM us on
tBotNS 2:08 The Cultellarii - Gene Wolfe’s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at: 59:45.
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 08, "The Cultellarii"
Severian and Jonas return to the inn and talk about the man-apes and the Megatherians.
Links:
* Facebook
- Chapter 08 The Cultellarii
- Chapter 07 The Assassins
* Reddit
- Chapter 08 The Cultellarii
- Chapter 07 The Assassins
-
This episode is sponsored by Henchmen & More!
-
You can become
007 Reader Interview - David Stockhoff
David Stockhoff, a man who looooves a good Wolfe theory.
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The Questions:
1 First encounter with a Wolfe story.
2 Favorite novel or short story, either or both
3 Favorite Wolfe word
4 A personal non-consensus theory about a Wolfe story or your favorite one.
5 Most frustrating mystery in a Wolfe story (any).
-
Do you want to get on our examination table?
Shoot us an email at rereadingwolfe@gmai
tBotNS 2:07 The Assassins - Gene Wolfe’s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at 46:35
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 07, "The Assassins"
Severian leaves the cavern and is reunited with Agia.
Did Severian heal the man-ape's arm with the Claw in front of Agia?
Links:
* Mike Bennewitz's Geographical Axis of the Enemies of the Increate:
- #1
- #2
* Michael Andre-Driuss (aka Mantis) proffers that the man-apes were not fleeing from the scar
006 Reader Interview - Mike Bennewitz
SonofWitz
* Official Website
* Mike's Axis of the Increate's Enemies Model
* Mike's Update to the Model
* Instagram
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The Questions:
1 First encounter with a Wolfe story.
2 Favorite novel or short story, either or both
3 Favorite Wolfe word
4 A personal non-consensus theory about a Wolfe story or your favorite one.
5 Most frustrating mystery in a Wolfe story (any).
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Do you want to get on ou
005 Reader Interview - Marcos Gouvea
Marcos Go-VEY-ah.
Marcos started out on the podcast with emails analyzing all the possible pronunciations of Triskele.
* From the Urth List, some of Fernando Q. Gouvea's contributions.
* Additionally, New York Review of Science Fiction, January 1990, Issue 17:
Fernando Q. Gouvea reviews ENDANGERED SPECIES and sends loc on SOLDIER OF ARETE.
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The Questions:
1 First encounter with a Wolfe story.
tBotNS 2:06 Blue Light - Gene Wolfe’s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener Comments end at 36:40
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 06, "Blue Light"
Severian throws down with the man-apes.
Also James changes his mind about what happened at Morwenna's execution... again. (See the comments).
Links:
* Facebook
---- Chapter 06 Blue Light
---- Gary Owens on Morwenna's innocence
---- Marc's Rebuttal
---- Chapter 05 The Bourne
---- Chapter 04 The Bouquet
* Reddit
004 Reader Interview - Stuart Hamm
Master Stuart Hamm -- Tower of the Bass Line.
* Official Website
* AllMusic bio
* Wikipedia page
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The Questions:
1 First encounter with a Wolfe story.
2 Favorite novel or short story, either or both
3 Favorite Wolfe word
4 A personal non-consensus theory about a Wolfe story or your favorite one.
5 Most frustrating mystery in a Wolfe story (any).
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Do you want to get on our examination table?
The Trial of Morwenna - Marc Aramini Submits a Rebuttal
Marc Aramini is not having it with our exoneration of Morwenna and putting the blame on poor flower-gifting Eusebia.
Links
* Facebook
---- Marc's Rebuttal
---- Chapter 05 The Bourne
---- Chapter 04 The Bouquet
* Reddit
---- Marc's Rebuttal
---- Mike Farrar's A Little More-wenna
---- Chapter 05 The Bourne
---- Chapter 04 The Bouquet
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Did we leave something out?
To issue your questions, com
003 Reader Interview - Stephen Frug
Stephen "I can do the Frug" Frug
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The Questions:
1 First encounter with a Wolfe story.
2 Favorite novel or short story, either or both
3 Favorite Wolfe word
4 A personal non-consensus theory about a Wolfe story or your favorite one.
5 Most frustrating mystery in a Wolfe story (any).
-
Do you want to get on our examination table?
Shoot us an email at rereadingwolfe@gmail.com
Or DM us on on Fa
002 Reader Interview - Diana Lambert
Teacher and Gene Wolfe fanatic Diana Lambert
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The Questions:
1 First encounter with a Wolfe story.
2 Favorite novel or short story, either or both
3 Favorite Wolfe word
4 A personal non-consensus theory about a Wolfe story or your favorite one.
5 Most frustrating mystery in a Wolfe story (any).
-
Do you want to get on our examination table?
Shoot us an email at rereadingwolfe@gmail.com
Or DM
tBotNS 2:05 The Bourne - Gene Wolfe’s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener Comments ends at 39:20
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 05, "The Bourne"
Post-Game conversation with Severian and Jonas over dinner. Then Severian get's a letter from "Thecla" and has to bug out.
Links:
* Pantopsalis on the significance of Valaria Parts 1, 2, 3
* Lord of Atlantis on the Geography of the Commonwealth
* Emragoolio on Your First Wolfe Story
* Luzellil on the Botanic Gar
001 Reader Interview - Jordon Flato
Urth Lister and NoMeansNo podcaster Jordon Flato.
Links:
* NoMeansNo Thing Podcast
-
The Questions:
1 First encounter with a Wolfe story.
2 Favorite novel or short story, either or both
3 Favorite Wolfe word
4 A personal non-consensus theory about a Wolfe story or your favorite one.
5 Most frustrating mystery in a Wolfe story (any).
-
Do you want to get on our examination table?
Shoot us an e
Bonus: RRW on Patreon
RRW tries out Patreon! There's a video version of this episode at:
https://www.patreon.com/rereadingwolfe
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This episode is sponsored by Busking.
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You can also get episodes on your podcast app or on our Youtube channel.
If you have problems accessing the podcast on your favorite platform, let us know.
-
Questions, comments, corrections, additions, alternate theories?
Connect with us on on Faceboo
tBotNS 2:04 The Bouquet - Gene Wolfe’s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at 31:20
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 04, "The Bouquet"
Morwenna gets executed but who is guilty? It's surprising how much debate there is and how sure opposing partisans are of their positions.
Links:
* The Green Children of Woolpit
* The Flammarion Engraving
* Basic analysis of word and sentence structure in The Shadow of the Torturer
* Facebook:
* Facebook
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tBotNS 2:03 The Showman‘s Tent - Gene Wolfe’s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at 17:30
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 03, "The Showman's Tent"
Severian chases Agia through the fair. He talks religion with the tea lady. He gets his fortune told by a Green Man. Why doesn't the Green Man, who has been through time from the future, remember the coming of the New Sun?
Links:
* UrthList:
- List of animals with an entry in "The Book of Imaginary Beings"
tBotNS 2:02 The Man in the Dark - Gene Wolfe’s The Claw of the Conciliator, The Book of the New Sun
Listener comments end at 15:55
The Claw of the Conciliator Chapter 02, "The Man In the Dark"
They pull Barnoch from his House/Tomb. So many parallels between the beginning and end of this book. Was Mother Pyrexia a Cumaean-type of Heiro?
Links:
* Facebook:
- Discussion of chapter 2
- Discussion of chapter 1
* Reddit:
- Discussion of chapter 2
- Discussion of chapter 1
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This episode is sponsored
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