Gene Wolfe Książki

Severian, wygnany z konfraterni katów za złamanie zasad, dotarł do Thraxu. Obejmuje stanowisko liktora i sumiennie wypełnia obowiązki strzegąc więźniów i ścinając skazańców. Mimo poszukiwań nie zdołał zwrócić Pazura Łagodziciela – klejnot o uzdrawiającej mocy zaczyna mu ciążyć, odbierając spokój i sen. Severian wyczuwa coraz bardziej mrok gromadzący się nad światem, zaczyna wątpić w swoje powołanie, aż wreszcie wbrew rozkazowi archonta daruje życie kobiecie skazanej na uduszenie. Musi uciekać z Thraxu i udaje się na północ, w góry zamieszkane przez istoty, które odrzuciły człowieczeństwo. Rozpoczyna niebezpieczną podróż, która wyjaśni wiele kłębiących się wokół niego tajemnic.

Nowe posłowie autorstwa Neila Gaimana„Złożona, niegodziwa, głęboka i niezwykła powieść jednego z najlepszych amerykańskich pisarzy... To nie tylko jedna z moich ulubionych książek (choć z pewnością nią jest), ale również jedna z nielicznych współczesnych powieści, które podziwiam.”- Neil Gaiman, autor „Amerykańskich bogów” i cyklu „Sandman”.„Pokój”, pierwotnie wydany w roku 1975, to dzieło błyskotliwe i urzekające. Pełne melancholii wspomnienia Aldena Dennisa Weera, rozgoryczonego starca spędzającego ostatnie dni życia w małym miasteczku na Środkowym Zachodzie Stanów w miarę rozwoju historii ujawniają swój nadnaturalny wymiar. Wyobraźnia Weera zdolna jest bowiem unicestwić czas i przeobrazić rzeczywistość, wykraczając poza samą śmierć. „Pokój”, wielki, poruszający i bezkompromisowo szczery, jest jednym z największych dzieł naszych czasów.Gene Wolfe, nazywany przez „The Denver Post” jednym z „olbrzymów s-f”, wielokrotnie zdobywał najważniejsze nagrody z tej dziedziny, w tym nagrody Nebula, Hugo i World Fantasy. „Pokój” to jego pierwsza pełnowymiarowa powieść, świadcząca o geniuszu, którzy później rozkwitł w dziełach takich jak Księga Nowego Słońca.

– Aż do nadejścia Nowego Słońca musimy wybierać między różnymi rodzajami zła. Wszystkie już wypróbowaliśmy i wszystkie nas zawiodły: powszechna dostępność dóbr, władza ludu… Wszystko. My celowo utrzymujemy ludzkość w stagnacji, zwanej przez niektórych barbarzyństwem. Autarcha broni prosty lud przed arystokratami, oni zaś chronią go przed Autarchą. Religia daje wszystkim pociechę. Zamknęliśmy drogi, aby sparaliżować funkcjonowanie społeczeństwa… Zamknął oczy, a ja położyłem rękę na jego piersi, starając się wyczuć choćby najsłabsze uderzenie serca. – Aż do nadejścia Nowego Słońca…

Severian przygotowywał się do fachu kata, lecz zakochał się w uwięzionej kobiecie i złamał dla niej obowiązujące katów zasady. Został za to wygnany z konfraterni i wysłany do odległej prowincji. Zabrał tylko katowski miecz, maskę i czarny płaszcz przynależny znienawidzonej profesji. Droga, która ma pokonać, okazuje się trudniejsza i bardziej zawikłana niż sobie to wyobrażał. Błądzi jak w labiryncie w ponurym, pełnym okrucieństwa świecie. Jego inicjacyjna podróż przypomina błądzenie w labiryncie, ale nieuchronnie prowadzi młodego czeladnika ku przeznaczeniu.

Bohater powieści Żołnierz z mgły, Latro, grecki wojownik, który stracił pamięć w wyniku zranienia głowy, kontynuuje swą wędrówkę w poszukiwaniu utraconej tożsamości. Musi poznać swoje prawdziwe imię, dowiedzieć się, kim był w przeszłości. Bogini Kora, królowa zmarłych, zwraca bohaterowi jego przyjaciół. Wsyzscy oni są martwi lub umierający, bohater musi więc wędrować dalej. Kogo spotka na swej drodze? Kim jest królowa z przepowiedni, królowa, której Latro ma dopomóc? Czy żołnierz dowie się, kim jest naprawdę?

Naprawdę mam na imię Severian. Przyjaciele, których nigdy nie miałem zbyt wielu, nazwali mnie Severianem Kulawym. Żołnierze, których niegdyś miałem mnóstwo, choć nie aż tak wielu, jakbym chciał, nazywali mnie Severianem Wielkim. Nieprzyjaciele, którzy mnożyli się jak muchy na bitewnych polach zasłanych trupami, nazywali mnie Severianem Oprawcą. Byłem ostatnim Autarchą Wspólnoty, a tym samym jedynym prawowitym władcą planety znanej podówczas jako Urth.

Zanim Severian, wygnaniec z konfraterni katów, dotrze do miejsca swego zesłania, Thraxu, musi pokonać licznych wrogów i wiele czyhających na niego niebezpieczeństw. Prześladowany przez okrutne wspomnienia i straszne wizje nie wie, czy zawdzięcza je swej absolutnej pamięci czy ogarniającemu świat mrokowi. Zawraca z obranej drogi, aby zwrócić skradziony klejnot, Pazur Łagodziciela, który przypadkiem znalazł się w jego posiadaniu. Zaatakowany przez dziwne istoty odkrywa, że klejnot nie tylko emanuje błękitnym blaskiem, ale ma też niesamowitą, magiczną moc.

Severian, wygnany z konfraterni katów za złamanie zasad, dotarł do Thraxu. Obejmuje stanowisko liktora i sumiennie wypełnia obowiązki strzegąc więźniów i ścinając skazańców. Mimo poszukiwań nie zdołał zwrócić Pazura Łagodziciela – klejnot o uzdrawiającej mocy zaczyna mu ciążyć, odbierając spokój i sen. Severian wyczuwa coraz bardziej mrok gromadzący się nad światem, zaczyna wątpić w swoje powołanie, aż wreszcie wbrew rozkazowi archonta daruje życie kobiecie skazanej na uduszenie. Musi uciekać z Thraxu i udaje się na północ, w góry zamieszkane przez istoty, które odrzuciły człowieczeństwo. Rozpo niebezpieczną podróż, która wyjaśni wiele kłębiących niego tajemnic.

Severian przygotowywał się do fachu kata, lecz zakochał się w uwięzionej kobiecie i złamał dla niej obowiązujące katów zasady. Został za to wygnany z konfraterni i wysłany do odległej prowincji. Zabrał tylko katowski miecz, maskę i czarny płaszcz przynależny znienawidzonej profesji. Droga, którą ma pokonać, okazuje się trudniejsza i bardziej zawikłana, niż sobie wyobrażał. Młody czeladnik błądzi jak w labiryncie w ponurym, pełnym okrucieństwa świecie, ale nieuchronnie zmierza ku przeznaczeniu.

Gene Wolfe has turned to the fantastic historical world of Greece, in 479 B.C., when the gods walked the Earth. Latro, a mercenary soldier from the north, has suffered a head wound in battle and has been separated from his compatriots. He has not only lost the memory of who he is and where he is from, he has also lost the ability to remember from day to day and must live out of context in an eternal present, every day rediscovering the shreds of his identity and the nature of the world around him, aided only by a written record that he attempts to continue daily and must read every morning. But in recompense for his unhappy condition Latro has received the ability to see and converse with invisible beings, all the gods and goddesses, ghosts and demons and werewolves, who inhabit the land and affect the lives of others, all unseen. Everyone knows that supernatural creatures are constantly around them and sometimes, under special circumstances, can perceive them—but Latro is now constantly able to penetrate the veil of the supernatural, which is both a triumph and a danger.

Olśniewająca powieść zdobywcy nagród Nebula i World Fantasy, uznawanego za jednego z najważniejszych współczesnych pisarzy amerykańskich, którego dokonania stawiane są na równi z dziełami takich mistrzów gatunku jak J.R. Tolkien czy Ursula Le Guin. Nie trzeba jednak znać i doceniać wcześniejszych książek Gene’a Wolfe’a, by dać się porwać tej wspaniałej historii, która w niezwykły sposób miesza stare motywy i wątki (m.in. opowieści arturiańskie, legendy celtyckie, skandynawskie mity), tworząc z nich nową wartość. Wolfe przedstawia opis podróży amerykańskiego nastolatka przez prawdziwą piramidę światów, przy czym bohater pokonuje równocześnie drogę od zagubionego i niezdarnego chłopca do rycerza i bohatera. Mówiące zwierzęta, smok, którego ojcem był człowiek, i istoty, które wierzą, że droga do człowieczeństwa wiedzie przez zjadanie ludzi – to tylko ułamek niepowtarzalnej wyobraźni, której popis znajdziemy w „Rycerzu”. Autor klasycznej już „Księgi nowego słońca” powraca w znakomitej formie i zwraca się do szerszego kręgu odbiorców niż dotychczasowi czytelnicy jego prozy.

Castleview nie jest zwykłym miasteczkiem. Przekonuje się o tym zarówno Will Shields, nowy właściciel komisu samochodowego, jak i jego rodzina. Średniowieczny zamek, pojawiający się w środku dnia, i upiorny jeździec, galopujący na olbrzymim rumaku przeczą zdrowemu rozsądkowi. Lecz to zaledwie zwiastun wydarzeń, mających położyć kres waśni, której korzenie sięgają zamierzchłej przeszłości... Gene Wolfe, z właściwym sobie mistrzostwem, tworzy przemawiającą do wyobraźni wizję, w której magia przeplata się z rzeczywistością, historia realna z mitami, a przeciętni ludzie żyją obok bohaterów z legend.

II tom cyklu "Rycerz Czarnoksiężnik". Porywająca, nasycona uczuciami, a zarazem cudownymi zdarzeniami, tajemnicami i intrygami opowieść rycerska, której przesłaniem jest pochwała magicznej mocy miłości i przyjaźni. Obie części cyklu należą do nielicznych powieści fantasy, które można porównać z Władcą Pierścieni. Gene Wolfe, ur. w 1931 r., uznawany jest za jednego z najważniejszych współczesnych pisarzy amerykańskich. Jego dokonania stawiane są na równi z dziełami takich mistrzów gatunku, jak J.R. Tolkien czy Ursula Le Guin. Autor słynnej Księgi Nowego Słońca powraca w znakomitej formie i zwraca się do szerszego kręgu odbiorców niż dotychczasowi czytelnicy jego prozy.

Tom pierwszy trylogii "Księga Krótkiego Słońca", a zarazem kontynuacja ostatniej tetralogii autora. Napisana błyskotliwym językiem, pełna znaczeń historia science fiction.

"Wolfe przywodzi na myśl Vance’a z jego poetycką bujnością obcych światów; w przewijającej się przez cały cykl zagadce tożsamości pobrzmiewają echa Borgesa; posępny i przejmujący ton opowieści kojarzą się z Melville’em. A jednak w kontynuacji swojego arcydzieła Wolfe pozostaje sobą i jak zwykle po mistrzowsku prowadzi czytelnika przez olśniewający, nowatorski, sugestywny labirynt swojej historii." Lucius Shepard "Czytając książki Gene’a Wolfe’a znajdujemy się w podobnej sytuacji jak Dorotka, kiedy przekroczyła próg domu i pierwszy raz znalazła się w Oz. Świat z czarno-białego nagle staje się kolorowy; tętni barwami, jakich nigdy wcześniej nie widzieliśmy. Na każdym kroku czekają nas nowe cuda. Jesteśmy gotowi natychmiast porzucić czerwone pantofelki, ponieważ światy kreowane przez Wolfe’a za każdym razem okazują się o wiele lepsze niż rodzinny dom." Jonathan Carroll

Gene Wolfe kolejny raz dowodzi swojego mistrzostwa w sztuce tworzenia światów, niewiarygodnej umiejętności budowania postaci i opowiadania historii w historiach zarazem bawi nas i edukuje, z równą wprawą i skutecznością. Ta książka to triumfalne zakończenie "Księgi Krótkiego Słońca", łączącej się bezpośrednio z najpopularniejszym dziełem autora, "Księgą Długiego Słońca". "Powrót do Whorla" to trzeci - po "Na wodach Błękitu" i "W dżunglach Zieleni" - tom ambitnej trylogii SF Gene’a Wolfe’a.

THE SANDMAN is the most acclaimed and award-winning comics series of the 1990s for good reason: a smart and deeply brooding epic, elegantly penned by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by a rotating cast of comics' most sought-after artists, it is a rich blend of modern myth and dark fantasy in which contemporary fiction, historical drama, and legend are seamlessly interwoven. The saga of THE SANDMAN encompasses a series of tales unique in graphic literature and is a story you will never forget. FABLES & REFLECTIONS follows the Lord of Dreams through nine remarkable tales as he touches lives from the mists of the past to the nightmares of the present. In these episodes, kings and spies, emperors and actors, ravens and werewolves all share their stories and their dreams--dreams of life and love, and of power and darkness. FABLES & REFLECTIONS is the sixth volume of eleven in THE SANDMAN LIBRARY. These books can be read in order or as individual volumes. Description from back cover

The Best of Gene Wolfe is the definitive collection of the best of Gene Wolfe’s short fiction. One of the greatest writers in genre (and literary fiction) of the 20th century, Gene Wolfe was a national treasure who produced the finest and most significant body of short fiction in the SF and fantasy field over the last fifty years. The Best of Gene Wolfe is an amazing retrospective collection of his short fiction, selected by Wolfe himself. Too many award winners and Best Of stories to list here; just as a sample we have "The Island of Dr. Death and Other Stories", "The Fifth Head of Cerberus", "Petting Zoo", "The Tree Is My Hat", "Seven American Nights", and "A Cabin on the Coast." Incredible tales from a writer who challenged and amazed. Who revolutionized the genre. And whose stories will stand the test of time. “Wolfe is our Melville.”—Ursula K. Le Guin

The two novels combined in this omnibus (Caldé of the Long Sun and Exodus from the Long Sun) comprise the second half of Gene Wolfe's long novel, The Book of the Long Sun.

This omnibus of "Nightside of the Long Sun" and "Lake of the Long Sun" is this "modern-day Homer" ("Washington Post Book World") at his best.

Latro forgets everything when he sleeps. Writing down his experiences every day and reading his journal anew each morning gives him a poignantly tenuous hold on himself, but his story's hold on readers is powerful indeed. The two previous novels, combined in Latro in the Mist (Soldier of the Mist and Soldier of Arete) are generally considered classics of contemporary fantasy.Latro now finds himself in Egypt, a land of singing girls, of spiteful and conniving deities. Without his memory, his is unsure of everything, except for his desire to be free of the curse that causes him to forget. The visions Gene Wolfe conjures, of the wonders of Egypt, and of the adventures of Latro as he and his companions journey up the great Nile south into unknown or legendary territory, are unique and compelling. Soldier of Sidon is a thrilling and magical fantasy novel, and yet another masterpiece from Gene Wolfe.

The first historical dictionary devoted to science fiction,Brave New Words:The Oxford Dictionary of Science Fiction shows how science-fictional words and their associated concepts have developed over time , with full citations and bibliographic information. Not just a useful reference and an entertaining browse, this book also documents the enduring legacy of science fiction writers and fans.

This title provides a tale of wonders by one of the field's greatest writers.

Now, for the first time, the best of the Locus Awards for short fiction are gathered in one volume. Spanning the absolute finest in science fiction and fantasy short fiction for the last thirty years, this anthology is an indispensable guide to speculative fiction from the classic to the outrageous by the leaders of the field.

Fourteen audacious explorations of the fantastic, the magical and the horrific by one of SF's greatest writers. Contents: - The Island of Doctor Death and Other Stories (1970) - Alien Stones (1972) - La Befana (1973) - The Hero as Werewolf (1975) - Three Fingers (1976) - The Death of Dr. Island (1973) - Feather Tigers (1973) - Hour of Trust (1973) - Tracking Song (1975) - The Toy Theater (1971) - The Doctor of Death Island (1978) - Cues (1974) - The Eyeflash Miracles (1976) - Seven American Nights (1978) Cover illustration by Bruce Pennington

When young augur Patera Silk emerges from his exploration of the underground passages of the Whorl, it is to find Viron engulfed in revolutionary violence - and himself hailed as leader of the uprising. As war threatens Silk's world, the Long Sun itself seems to undergo ominous changes.

First published in 1972, this SF masterpiece has been out of print for most of a decade. Now, this "subtle, ingenious, and poetic book" (Ursula Le Guin) entertains a new generation of readers with the story of two far-flung sister planets and a man's quest to find remnants of a lost.

Back in print after two decades, this fantasy tells of a young man who lives in a village deep in the forest in medieval times. Mark finds himself torn between his hero worship for charming highwayman Wat and his growing suspicion of Wat's cold savagery. And Mother Cloot, who may have sorcerous powers, works in equally suspicious ways--perhaps for evil, perhaps for good.

Wolfe, whose tetralogy The Book of the New Sun was the most acclaimed science fiction work of the 1980s, offered his second collection of short fiction in 1990 to universal acclaim. This is a hefty volume of over 30 unforgettable stories in a variety of genres-- SF, fantasy, horror, mainstream-many of them offering variations on themes and situations found in folklore and fairy tales, and including two stories, "The Cat" and "The Map," which are set in the universe of his New Sun novels. Wolfe's deconstructions/reconstructions are provocative, multilayered, and resonant. This embarrassment of literary riches is a must for all Gene Wolfe fans, and anyone who loves a good tale beautifully told.

Exodus from the Long Sun concludes Gene Wolfe's masterful sci-fi epic series, the Book of the Long Sun It is the far future, and the giant spaceship, The Whorl, has traveled for forgotten generations toward its destination. Lit inside by the artificial Long Sun, The Whorl is so huge that whole cities can be seen in the sky. And the gods of The Whorl have begun to intervene in human affairs. An entirely unexpected future awaits as Patera Silk and the other inhabitants are confronted with the world of an alien race. Wolfe's great work is complete, with the mysterious fullness of life itself.

The Washington Post has called Gene Wolfe "the finest writer the science fiction world has yet produced."This volume, Castle of Days, joins together two of his rarest and most sought after works--Gene Wolfe's Book of Days and The Castle of the Otter --and add thirty-nine short essays collected here for the first time, to fashion a rich and engrossing architecture of wonder.

Contents:How the Whip Came Back (1970)Of Relays and Roses (1970)Paul's Treehouse (1969)St. Brandon (excerpt from "Peace") (1975)Beautyland (1973)Car Sinister (1970)The Blue Mouse (1971)How I Lost the Second World War and Helped Turn Back the German Invasion (1973)The Adopted Father (1980)Forlesen (1974)An Article about Hunting (1973)The Changeling (1968)Many Mansions (1977)Against the Lafayette Escadrille (1972)Three Million Square Miles (1971)The War beneath the Tree (1979)La Befana (1973)Melting (1974)

Nearly a decade after completing his four-volume epic, Gene Wolfe returns to science fiction with a monumental multi-volume mega-novel of mystery, war, and revolution. Set in the Whorl, a world inside a giant starship sent from Urth to colonize a distant planet, this new work builds on Wolfe's acclaimed previous writings, which have established him as a leading figure in fantasy and science fiction. His earlier contributions to this universe have been recognized as significant landmarks in contemporary American literature, drawing comparisons to the major works of Tolkien and Lewis. Wolfe's ambitious narrative unfolds in a realm filled with wonders, where gods, humans, aliens, and machines coexist, leading to mysterious adventures both in space and within the human spirit. The ship-world's origins are steeped in legend, and it is governed by enigmatic gods who communicate with their followers through large screens. The human inhabitants, altered by eons of time, remain familiar yet distinct. The story follows Patera Silk as he navigates the demands of these gods, promising to engage readers seeking fresh and innovative perspectives in science fiction. This new saga marks the beginning of what is poised to be a significant contribution to the genre for the decade ahead.

There Are Doors is the story of a man who falls in love with a goddess from an alternate universe. She flees him, but he pursues her through doorways to the other place, determined to sacrifice his life if necessary for her love. For to love her . . . is to die.

This collection of all new short fiction by thirteen of today's top science fiction writers represents a memorial to the late Terry Carr and includes contributions by Ursulia K. Le Guin, Roger Zelazny, and Robert Silverberg, among others

Edited by Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio, "Stories" is a groundbreaking collection that features diverse tales from renowned authors. This anthology expands the boundaries of imaginative fiction, challenging misconceptions and showcasing the power of storytelling to transform perspectives and ignite appreciation for exceptional literature.

Magic lives in remarkable realms – and in the short fiction of today's top fantasists. In this fifth breathtaking volume of the year's best flights of the fantastic, award–winning editors David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer present a dazzling new array of wonders – stories that break through the time–honored conventions of the genre to carry the reader to astonishing places that only the most ingenious minds could conceive. In the able hands of Neil Gaiman, Kage Baker, Tim Powers, and others, miracles become tangible and true, impossible creatures roam unfettered, and fairy tales are reshaped, sharpened, and freed from the restrictive bonds of childhood. Lose yourself in these pages and in these worlds – and discover the power, the beauty, the unparalleled enchantment of fantasy at its finest.

The box is heavy, locked, and very old. The only clue to its contents is the name written in gold upon its lid: PANDORA. Bright teenager Holly Hollander is understandably curious about what's inside, but when the box is opened, death is unleashed . . . and Holly is the only one who can solve the deadly puzzle.

The best of Christmas--past, present, and yet to come Christmas is a time for miracle, scientific and otherwise, and for surprises that can only occur at this time of the year. But what marvels will the holidays bring to the far future--or to alien worlds light-years from the North Pole? In this celebratory collection, many of today's finest writers of fantasy and science fiction unwrap startling visions of the future of Christmas. An unusual Christmas spirit brings confusion-and romance-to a modern young woman. A father's gift opens up the universe for all humanity. And a devout researcher uncovers the shattering secret of the original Star of Bethlehem. These and other stories shine like sparkling, unearthly ornaments on a fresh green tree of holiday traditions. 'Twas the night before tomorrow, and all through the galaxy, nothing burns as bright as... Christmas Stars.

"Free Live Free," said the newspaper ad, and the out-of-work detective Jim Stubb, the occultist Madame Serpentina, the salesman Ozzie Barnes, and the overweight prostitute Candy Garth are brought together to live for a time in Free's old house, a house scheduled for demolition to make way for a highway. Free drops mysterious hints of his exile from his homeland, and of the lost key to his return. And so when demolition occurs and Free disappears, the four make a pact to continue the search, which ultimately takes them far beyond their wildest dreams. This is character-driven science fiction at its best by a writer whom, at the time of its first publication, the "Chicago Sun-Times" called "science fiction's best genuine novelist."

Gene Wolfe presents Lovecraftian noir fiction!

This landmark anthology presents thirty groundbreaking stories from the masters of speculative fiction heralding the future of the genre with original and revolutionary works. All-new, original stories by � Ursula K. Le Guin � Gregory Benford � Joe Haldeman � Joyce Carol Oates � and many others On K2 with Kanakaredes by Dan Simmons The Building by Ursula K. Le Guin Froggies by Laura Whitton What We Did That Summer by Kathe Koja and Barry N. Malzberg A Slow Saturday Night at the Surrealist Sporting Club by Michael Moorcock In Xanadu by Thomas M. Disch Commencement by Joyce Carol Oates Unique Visitors by James Patrick Kelly BIack TuIip by Harry Turtledove Belief by P. D. Cacek In the Un-Black by Stephen Baxter Weeping Walls by Paul Di Filippo Anomalies by Gregory Benford Captive Kong by Kit Reed Feedback by Robert E. Vardeman Between Disappearances by Nina Kiriki Hoffman Resurrection by David Morrell Cleopatra Brimstone by Elizabeth Hand Burros Gone Bad by Peter Schneider Pockets by Rudy Rucker and John Shirley Ave de Paso by Catherine Asaro Road Kill by Joe Haldeman Ting-a-Ling by Jack Dann ‘Bassador by Catherine Wells Ssoroghod’s People by Larry Niven Two Shot by Michael Marshall Smith Billy the Fetus by Al Sarrantonio Viewpoint by Gene Wolfe Fungi by Ardath Mayhar Rhido Wars by Neal Barrett, Jr.

Interlibrary Loan is the brilliant follow-up to A Borrowed Man: the final work of fiction from multi-award winner and national literary treasure Gene Wolfe Hundreds of years in the future our civilization is shrunk down but we go on. There is advanced technology, there are robots. And there are clones. E. A. Smithe is a borrowed person, his personality an uploaded recording of a deceased mystery writer. Smithe is a piece of property, not a legal human. As such, Smithe can be loaned to other branches. Which he is. Along with two fellow reclones, a cookbook and romance writer, they are shipped to Polly’s Cove, where Smithe meets a little girl who wants to save her mother, a father who is dead but perhaps not. And another E.A. Smithe... who definitely is.

This is a great book--comprised mostly of essays written about halfway through the publishing schedule of the four New Sun books--about Gene Wolfe's experiences and impetus and all kinds of other stuff about why and how he wrote such a masterpiece. It includes Urth humor and a lexicon of the words he used (every one of which is/was an actual word used at one time--a well known trait of Gene.) A must have, though a hard find, for any Gene Wolfe fan. And if you're not a fan, go be one, okay? It's way worth it.

You are familiar with the salt of the earth. But did you know there is an even finer, more delicate essence? Take wisdom and imagination, responsibility and beauty, and mix them together in arcane proportions to form a rich and peculiar brine. The resulting water of life is an emotional muddy liquid, filled with existential sediment swirling in the light of secret reality and reflecting prismatic colors of hope and wonder. If allowed to evaporate- escape, flee, ascend into the ether and join the music of the spheres-what remains is the quintessence; a precious concentrate that is elusive and volatile, neither fully solid nor so illusory as to be devoid of pithy substance. It is the Salt of the Air. In this debut collection from the critically acclaimed author of Dreams of the Compass Rose and Lords of Rainbow, the sixteen stories are distillations of myth and philosophy, eroticism and ascetic purity. Dipping into an ancient multi-ethnic well, they are the stuff of fantasy-of maidens and deities and senior retirees, of kings and artists and con artists, of warriors and librarians, of beings without a name and things very fey indeed. . . .

Introduction by Terry Carr Four Ghosts in Hamlet (1965) novelette by Fritz Leiber The Dybbuk of Mazel Tov IV (1974) story by Robert Silverberg One at a Time (1968) story by R.A. Lafferty Displaced Person (1948) story by Eric Frank Russell If Something Begins (1971) story by Raylyn Moore They Live on Levels (1973) story by Terry Carr The Horse with One Leg story by George Alec Effinger Kazam Collects (1941) story by C.M. Kornbluth Feather Tigers (1973) story by Gene Wolfe

In this thought-provoking collection of short stories, some of the most ingenious talents in science fiction explore the secret lives of the aliens who walk among us....Includes stories by:Philip K. Dick Gene Wolfe Paul J. McAuley Pat Cadigan Theodore Sturgeon Kim Newman and others!ix • Preface (Aliens Among Us) • (2000) • essay by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois1 • The Other Celia • (1957) • shortstory by Theodore Sturgeon21 • Residuals • (1997) • novelette by Paul J. McAuley and Kim Newman48 • Eight O'Clock in the Morning • (1963) • shortstory by Ray Nelson55 • Expendable • (1953) • shortstory by Philip K. Dick62 • The Reality Trip • (1970) • shortstory by Robert Silverberg83 • Decency • (1996) • shortstory by Robert Reed100 • The Mindworm • (1950) • shortstory by C. M. Kornbluth117 • Popeye and Pops Watch the Evening World Report • (1996) • shortstory by Eliot Fintushel128 • The Autopsy • (1980) • novella by Michael Shea171 • Or All the Seas With Oysters • (1958) • shortstory by Avram Davidson183 • Angel • (1987) • shortstory by Pat Cadigan202 • Among the Hairy Earthmen • (1966) • shortstory by R. A. Lafferty216 • I'm Too Big but I Love to Play • (1970) • novelette by James Tiptree, Jr.236 • The Hero as Werwolf • (1975) • shortstory by Gene Wolfe254 • Motherhood, Etc. • (1993) • novelette by L. Timmel Duchamp

Gene Wolfe and Neil Gaiman invite you to explore the Shambles, a historic Chicago neighborhood that survived the Great Fire of 1871. Known for its unique attractions, the Shambles includes the Cereal House with its Terribly Strange Bed—don’t forget to fill out the 'next of kin' form if you stay overnight. The House of Clocks features an impressive collection of 20,000 timepieces, best experienced on the hour. Visit the infamous H.H. Holmes' House, where the bars on his children's windows remain, and take a breather at Saunders Park, complete with gardens, statuary, and the notorious Petting Zoo—though it’s wise not to bring your own pets. In the spirit of Charles Addams and Edward Gorey, Wolfe and Gaiman guide you through the Shambles, revealing the best dining spots (and those to avoid) along with tips on where to start your tour and when to make a hasty exit. Described as a place of dark magic and danger, the Shambles is a must-see for adventurous sightseers. This edition features a whimsical cover by Gahan Wilson and illustrations by Randy Broecker and Earl Geier, adding to the allure of this captivating locale. Come along and discover the secrets waiting for you!

A teenager passed from Earth to a magical realm of even worlds, where he was soon given a hero's adult body and the name Able. Forced to act as a man, inside he remained a boy, even as he set out to find his destined sword and become a knight.

A novel of the fantastic set in an imagined country in Europe An American writer of travel guides in need of a new location chooses to travel to a small and obscure Eastern European country. The moment Grafton crosses the border he is in trouble, much more than he could have imagined. His passport is taken by guards, and then he is detained for not having it. He is released into the custody of a family, but is again detained. It becomes evident that there are supernatural agencies at work, but they are not in some ways as threatening as the brute forces of bureaucracy and corruption in that country. Is our hero in fact a spy for the CIA? Or is he an innocent citizen caught in a Kafkaesque trap? Gene Wolfe keeps us guessing until the very end, and after.

The Bronze Age. The era of Troy, of Gilgamesh, of the dawning of human mastery over the earth. For decades, fantasists have set tales of heroism and adventure in imagined worlds based on the real Bronze Age, from the "Hyborean Age" of the Conan stories to the Third Age of Middle-earth.Now bestselling science fiction and fantasy author Harry Turtledove, a noted expert on the ancient world, teams up with author and Egyptologist Noreen Doyle to present fourteen new tales of the real Bronze Age from some of the best writers in science fiction.In The First Heroes: here is Gene Wolfe's mock-journal of a man from the future who travels with figures out of history and mythology; Judith Tarr's tale of a a town that sends its resident goddess to try to learn the secrets of the morose God of Chariots; Harry Turtledove's story about mythological beings witnessing the devastating effect of the first humans on the Earth's natural order; and a poignant new story from the late Poul Anderson, in which a modern scholar is sent to the late Bronze Age to witness the end of an era, emerging with memories from the past as vibrant and intact as those from his accustomed life.

In this companion guide, Michael Andre-Driussi illuminates Gene Wolfe's Book of the Long Sun and Book of the Short Sun science fiction series through dictionary-style entries on the characters, gods, locations, themes, and timelines of the novels. Gate of Horn, Book of Silk , is organized in two parts, with the first half covering the Long Sun series ( Nightside the Long Sun , Lake of the Long Sun , Caldé of the Long Sun, and Exodus from the Long Sun ) and the second half covering the Short Sun series ( On Blue's Waters , In Green's Jungles , and Return to the Whorl ). "Languages of the Whorl," a section between the two parts, covers all the dialect, slang, and foreign terms used in the books—thieves' cant, flier language, Tick's talk, and more. Ten maps and diagrams are included. This is Michael Andre-Driussi's third guidebook to the rich tapestries of Gene Wolfe's worlds. As fans of of Lexicon Urthus and The Wizard Knight Companion have noted, each book is not only a convenient tool to look up a term while re-reading the novels but also an enjoyable read in its own right, from A to Z.

In a contemporary town in the American midwest where he has no connections, Bax, an educated man recently released from prison, is staying in a motel. He writes letters to his brother and to others, including a friend still in jail, to whom he progressively reveals the intriguing pieces of a strange and fantastic narrative. When he meets a real estate agent who tells him he is, to his utter surprise, the heir to a huge old house in town, long empty, he moves in. He is immediately confronted by an array of supernatural creatures and events, by love and danger.His life is utterly transformed and we read on, because we must know more. We revise our opinions of him, and of others, with each letter, piecing together more of the story as we go. We learn things about magic, and another world, and about the sorcerer Mr. Black, who originally inhabited the house. And then knowing what we now know only in the end, perhaps we read it again.

Lexicon Urthus is an alphabetical dictionary for the complete Urth Cycle by Gene Wolfe: The Shadow of the Torturer; The Claw of the Conciliator; The Sword of the Lictor; The Citadel of the Autarch; the sequel Urth of the New Sun; the novella Empires of Foliage and Flower; the short stories "The Cat," "The Map," and "The Old Woman Whose Rolling Pin Is the Sun"; and Gene Wolfe's own commentaries in The Castle of the Otter. The first edition was nominated for a World Fantasy Award. This second edition includes over 1,200 entries. When the first edition was published, Science Fiction Age said: "Lexicon Urthus makes a perfect gift for any fan of Wolfe's] work, and from the way his words sell, it appears that there are many deserving readers out there waiting." Gary K. Wolfe, in Locus, said: "A convenient and well researched glossary of names and terms. . . . It provides enough of a gloss on the novels that it almost evokes Wolfe's distant future all by itself. . . . It can provide both a useful reference and a good deal of fun." Donald Keller said, in the New York Review of Science Fiction: "A fruitful product of obsession, this is a thorough . . . dictionary of the Urth Cycle. . . . Andre-Driussi's research has been exhaustive, and he has discovered many fascinating things . . . it is] head-spinning to confront a myriad of small and large details, some merely interesting, others jawdropping."

OTHER VOICES, OTHER DOORS gathers the finest stories, poems, and non-fiction from Patrick O'Leary over the last two decades. This collection is a unique celebration of the transformative power of storytelling, blending the fantastic with the mundane. Disturbing yet amusing, frank, and original, it marks O'Leary's first (and likely last) compilation of his work, featuring a foreword by Gene Wolfe. O'Leary explores a range of topics, from Van Morrison and vasectomies to the essence of being alive in a wondrous world. Readers are invited to engage deeply with his writing. Critics praise the collection for its zany yet serious nature, showcasing the multifaceted brilliance of O'Leary as a deeply humane and original writer. The kaleidoscopic imagination on display allows readers to dive into any piece—be it a short story, essay, or poem—only to lose track of time as they become engrossed. Despite the challenges of finding shorter works in today's publishing landscape, collections like this endure, thanks to small presses and dedicated authors. Wolfe's introduction sets the stage for O'Leary's quirky versatility and depth, creating an enticing invitation to explore this captivating collection.

Think all heroes have washboard abs? Think all heroines wear Size 3 Junior Petite? Think again! Come join Gene Wolfe, Elizabeth Anne Scarborough, Jane Yolen, Jody Lynn Nye, and Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, who along with nineteen other authors, introduce you to some of the funniest, wildest, sexiest, most powerful, and normal (considering these are science fiction, fantasy, and horror stories) fat people on earth and a few other planets. Meet a pirate named "Valkyrie" and a cardsharp named "Fat Moriah". Meet a xeno-fitness instructor and an earth-mage who don't apologize for taking up space. Meet fat cats on a mission and a very different kind of vampire. Meet characters for whom "plus-size" is about body size and heart. Brought together in this first-of-its-kind collection are stories that raise the set point on adventure and redraw the picture of "the hero" along the way. Tales of power and abundance that prove that heroes and heroines come in all sizes.

The 2006 World Fantasy Convention book, issued in honor of the Robert E. Howard centenary.

This daring, star-packed collection challenges the boundaries of modern fantasy with all-original stories from bestselling, award-winning authors Patricia McKillip, Orson Scott Card, Neil Gaiman, Harry Turtledove, Gene Wolfe, and others.

The Death of Doctor Island (Oct 1973) Awards:1974 Hugo Award - Best Novella (Nomination)1974 Locus Poll Award - Best Novella (Place: 1)1974 Nebula Award - Novella (Win)

Magazín F&SF; je již šedesát let jedním z nejlepších zdrojů fantastické povídky ve světě. Česká edice vám v úzké spolupráci s americkou redakcí nabízí léty prověřenou klasiku i příběhy těch nejlepších autorů žhavé současnosti. Každé čtvrtletí se tak spolu s námi můžete ponořit do barvitých světů ničím neomezované spisovatelské fantazie.

13 verhalen van bekende/beroemde SF-schrijvers uit het Engelstalige taalgebied.

nº 03, edicion 2003, traduccion de M. Blanco, 146 y 70 paginas respectivamente, tapa blanda, en buen estado

Come la ruvida cartolina olografica in grado di restituire con una sensibile inclinazione lo sviluppo tridimensionale dell’immagine, le vicende di Severian, apprendista artigiano della corporazione dei Torturatori, si muovono tra paesaggi medievali e architetture avveniristiche. Sullo sfondo la Torre di Matachin, luogo d’iniziazione ai segreti della casta che ammette come unici adepti i figli delle proprie vittime; in primo piano, l’amore per la condannata Thecla, motore propulsore della storia, che condurrà il protagonista lontano da Nessus, la Città Immortale; ed è in cammino sulle vie dell’esilio, con la spada del Maestro come unica compagna, che Severian tenterà la riscossa contro l’imperscrutabile potere dell’Autarca... Primo volume del ciclo Il Libro del Nuovo Sole, L’ombra del torturatore è una prova narrativa sontuosamente immaginifica, capace di mettere d’accordo i cultori della fantasy e della fantascienza.

Rien de plus banal que de se faire abandonner par celle que l'on aime. Dans le cas de Green, le départ de Lara a pourtant quelque chose de bizarre, d'énigmatique. À commencer par le mot qu'elle lui a laissé et où elle lui explique qu'"il y a des portes" qu'il ne doit absolument pas franchir. Green, qui ne songe qu'à retrouver Lara, aurait-il emprunté par mégarde une de ces portes ? Toujours est-il qu'il se retrouve dans un monde quelque peu décalé par rapport au sien. La monnaie y est différente, on y trouve des poupées à l'effigie d'une "déesse" qui ressemble étrangement à Lara et, selon toute apparence, faire l'amour avec une femme y est mortel pour l'homme. En revanche, l'hôpital psychiatrique où le conduisent ses mésaventures a des airs de famille avec celui où il est arrivé à Green de faire quelques séjours...