Subjects / The Book of the New Sun

Best books to learn The Book of the New Sun, in order

Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun is four volumes narrated by a torturer with a perfect memory who is also, demonstrably, lying. It is usually sold as two omnibuses, Shadow and Claw and Sword and Citadel, which is fine to buy but confusing to talk about — the work is four books, not two.

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Frequently asked questions

How should I approach learning the book of the new sun?
Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun is four volumes narrated by a torturer with a perfect memory who is also, demonstrably, lying. It is usually sold as two omnibuses, Shadow and Claw and Sword and Citadel, which is fine to buy but confusing to talk about — the work is four books, not two.
What's a good book to start the book of the new sun with?
A strong starting point is In Green's jungles by Gene Wolfe. The ordered reading paths above show exactly where it fits and what to read next.
What should I read after the book of the new sun?
Once you have the fundamentals, explore closely related subjects like J.M. Coetzee, Michael Ondaatje.

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