THE WIZARD muse redux

THE WIZARD muse: I just reached page 371 and now think it has recaptured, finally, the spirit of THE KNIGHT. It seems the entire sequence with the giant sons of the Angrborn in Utland
was a mere detour from the main story of Sir Able and his honor bound persuit of a life of love with Aelf Queen Disiri. The tale now seems to be progressing toward a climax, though that may be unrealistic considering that this is a Gene Wolfe book. But the sense of purpose is unmistakable, and draws the reader into Sir Able's quest.

The WIZARD confusion

THE WIZARD. I just finished chapter 26 and am now confused. Wolfe has taken me from the plains of Jutenland through the fog of Mythgarthr and into Alefrice, where Able meets is friend Garsec/Setr whom Baki wants him to kill. Able intends to kill Kulili/The White Dragon instead, but, oddly, we now learn that in the time since Able has left Jotunland, Toug, Etela and others have been kidnapped by Kulili and imprisoned on the Isle of Glas. Able swims there to fight Kulili but Garsec enters the fray, killing Sir Garvaon. Vil kills Garsec and Kulili goes free. This chapter seems so detached from all else that I wonder if Wolfe has lost control of his narrative. He often likes to leave things out in between chapters, but this is different, it seems a total departure from all that has gone before. Read on and I shall see.

(Deus Vult)

THE WIZARD muse

Wolfe's THE WIZARD is becomming more endearing the further I go into it. I know of no other writer that makes such skillful use of dialog to tell his story. If Wolfe wants the reader to know something, he will contrive a situation that will have the characters talk about it. Wolfe scarcely employs naration of any kind. True, Sir Able will, on occasion, mention something to his brother Ben, the recipient of his letter, but even these are put across as casual remarks, and not through the voice of an impersonal narrator. Wolfe's conversational style is unobtrusive, yet unmistakable. I am enjoying this book very much. I have no idea where Wolfe is taking me.