I have never read this book or even heard of it until the start of this series. My knowledge of Gene Wolfe’s works is very small unfortunately. That said, when I start a book I don’t immediately go into a close read of the text. So reading chapter 1 I’m left with questions. What’s the plot of this? Right now the answer is no, this isn’t a plot story it’s a character story. Does this old man have Alzheimer’s? Is this a first person account of experiences living with dementia? Right that’s what it seems like.
If you handed me chapter 1 to read and asked me what classification is this story I would say it’s Literature not a speculative fiction story. I would expect the author to be one of those names that people claim to love and have read but haven’t read any of, they just want to sound smart. Like all of the 19th century Russian authors.
‘’I’m reading this on Kindle and I wonder if the cover of the print edition gives a better clue what to expect from this story or that a close read is beneficial. Would I have read this when I was twenty? I’m thinking the lack of an immediate plot would have been turn off, I was more interested in action. I have enjoyed the close coverage you have given this story so far. I am also hopeful a plot arrives by the end of chapter 2.
On my first reading of Peace.
My wife: You sure are reading that book pretty heavily. Is it good?
Me: Oh yes!
Wife: What's it about?
Me: That's why you read a Gene Wolfe story.
Haha, yeah, it's a weird book. My first reading of this came when I was in my mid-twenties and I was reading it when I got home from work at 6 AM and needed to unwind so I could try to fall asleep as the sun was coming up. The dense and lyrical prose did the trick, but I have quickly realized that none of the content stuck in my mind -- just some of the images and descriptive passages.