The Shadow of the Torturer cover art

The Shadow of the Torturer

Urth: Book of the New Sun, Book 1

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The Shadow of the Torturer

By: Gene Wolfe
Narrated by: James Lailey
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About this listen

So begins one of the most celebrated stories in fantasy literature . . . packed full of mystery, deep themes and incredible prose, meet Severian the Torturer and follow him on his journey across the great world of Urth

Severian is a torturer, born to the guild and with an exceptionally promising career ahead of him...until he falls in love with one of his victims, a beautiful young noblewoman.

Her excruciations are delayed for some months and, out of love, Severian helps her commit suicide and escape her fate. For a torturer, there is no more unforgivable act. In punishment he is exiled from the guild and his home city to the distant metropolis of Thrax with little more than Terminus Est, a fabled sword, to his name.

Along the way he has to learn to survive in a wider world without the guild—a world in which he has already made both allies and enemies. And a strange gem is about to fall into his possession, which will only make his enemies pursue him with ever-more determination....

1981, John W. Campbell Memorial Award, Short-listed

1981, World Fantasy Award, Winner

1982, BSFA Award, Winner

©1980 Gene Wolfe (P)2021 Orion Publishing Group Dark Fantasy Epic Fantasy Genre Fiction Hard Science Fiction Literary Fiction Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction

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Wonderful rendition of one of the greatest books written. Difficult to put down once you get into it.

Wonderful rendition of one of the greatest books

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as much goes unspoken as is made explicit. a meandering story of allusion and allegory that gives it an almost dream like quality. not for everyone, but to the initiated truly sublime.

dream like, almost ephemeral

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this is a great creative piece that will capture the minds of many readers with the twisted future world, the strong cast of characters or the beautiful anaology that prevades most of the book.
the only thing that may turn people off is the of the wall rants and turns that can be very hard to decipher what is going on

excellent original story

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Incredible book. It wasn’t always un-put-down-able in the way some books are, but this book was certainly like nothing else I’ve yet encountered. A highly distinct and unfamiliar setting, countless alluring mysteries, and above all, the flawless, meticulous language in which the book is narrated. If I had to compare it to something, I would say it reminded me of Adrian Tchaikovsky’s ‘Cage of Souls’. I recommend that to anyone who enjoyed this and vice versa.

Like nothing else

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I have some friends that love this series, and the concepts and theories they talk about sound interesting, but the this story did not grip me in the same way. Which is unfortunate as it does sound like if you can get into it, it will be very interesting. The narrator was amazing and I believe he helped keep my interest as the story meandered around from point to point.

Great Narration, somewhat confusing story.

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I was directed towards this series as a hidden gem, and it did not disappoint. Closer to proper literature, this book easily keeps pace with Dune with setting and style. It's unlike any book I've read and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

The narrator is also amazing, he gives great life to the story and really sells the persona of the main character.

Worth the hype

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The narrator is the only thing that kept me listening until the end. World and story have potential in beginning, ends up being a story of how a weak boy turns macho, cannot explain feelings and spends much more time describing women's physical properties rather than their character.

Expected better story, great narrator

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I love this story, remembering it clearly from my youth. The presentation is masterful.

Outstanding

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Wow
I read an article on the author a couple years back that likened these books to Miyazaki’s rich video game world and dark dreamlike storytelling it delivered in spades at one point literally. He’s got an incredible voicing and breath of language thats rare in fantasy Patrick Rothus and Scott lynch spring to mind but the depth is that of peake and a dreamy almost intangible world that feels almost murakami esq.
this narration is something else too especially a character near the end who really took me by suprise by how hard the narrator went in on the character, really brought him to life. Gonna be grabbing all of these cant wait.

Dark souls brought me here

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Unlike modern fantasy this story takes you on a journey to the bizarre but believable. One of the best journeys my imagination has taken in years!

A journey to the bizarre but believable

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