\n<\/p>\n
Jun 12, 2020<\/p>\n
After much popular demand, Thomas pays tribute to legendary
\nCatholic sci-fi writer Gene Wolfe, who passed away last year.
\nThough not known to the general public, Wolfe is a sci-fi author\u2019s
\nsci-fi author\u2014a number of his contemporaries considered him not
\nonly the best in the genre, but in American fiction at the time
\n(Ursula Le Guin said \u201cWolfe is our Melville\u201d). Among today\u2019s
\nwriters, one of his biggest fans is Neil Gaiman.<\/p>\n
One critic described Wolfe\u2019s magnum opus, The Book of the Wolfe also held the patent on the machine that makes Pringles. In this episode, Fr. Brendon Laroche comments on Wolfe\u2019s works, Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n [2:48] Why Fr. Brendon likes Gene Wolfe<\/p>\n [4:14] Cryptic yet entertaining, evocations of memory, [13:23] Wolfe\u2019s status in the world of sci-fi and speculative [16:50] Sci-fi treatments of medieval characters, discussion of [22:57] The nature and possibilities of \u201cgenre\u201d fiction<\/p>\n [32:03] Sandra Miesel\u2019s involvement in the sci-fi world, [35:21] Wolfe\u2019s unique and strange mind, wide reading and [38:01] Wolfe\u2019s conversion to Catholicism and devotion to his [40:04] Wolfe\u2019s magnum opus as Augustinian confession; the [46:00] Premise and themes of The Book of the New [52:26] Sacramentality and treatment of symbols [spoilers [1:02:38] Sandra\u2019s work as a master costumer, its influence on [1:06:11] Sandra on Catholicism in Wolfe\u2019s writings, his [1:10:05] Wolfe\u2019s subtle allusions and puzzles<\/p>\n [1:20:44] Wolfe\u2019s treatment of sexuality; torture and illicit [1:27:58] Opening paragraph of \u201cThe Fifth Head of Cerberus\u201d<\/p>\n [1:30:52] Colorful anecdotes about Wolfe and other sci-fi Links<\/strong><\/p>\n Recommended starting point: The Best of Gene Wolfe<\/em> The Book of the New Sun<\/em> in two volumes:<\/p>\n Read the short story \u201cUnder Hill\u201d http:\/\/www.infinitematrix.net\/stories\/shorts\/under_hill.html<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Wolfe\u2019s essay on Tolkien, \u201cThe Best Introduction to the Tolkien\u2019s letter to Gene Wolfe Interview with Wolfe dealing with his Catholicism https:\/\/www.gwern.net\/docs\/fiction\/1992-jordan.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n Sandra Miesel\u2019s \u201cA Conversation with Catholic SF Writers\u201d Two different (non-Catholic) podcasts which are quite helpful in \u00a0<\/p>\n Follow-up comments from Sandra Miesel: \u201cA recent book to learn My novel was DREAMRIDER, later expanded as SHAMAN published by And how did I forget to mention my most successful publication, \u00a0<\/p>\n Some other novels mentioned:<\/p>\n By Gene Wolfe: Latro<\/em> (series), The Urth of the New Poul Anderson, The High Crusade<\/em><\/p>\n James Blish, A Case of Conscience<\/em><\/p>\n Frank Herbert, Dune<\/em><\/p>\n This podcast is a production of CatholicCulture.org. If you like
\nNew Sun<\/em>, as \u201ca\u00a0Star Wars\u2013style\u00a0space
\nopera\u00a0penned by\u00a0G. K. Chesterton\u00a0in the throes of a
\nreligious conversion.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThat\u2019s his face on the can.<\/p>\n
\nwhile Wolfe\u2019s friend, Catholic historian and sci-fi expert Sandra
\nMiesel, shares personal reminiscences.<\/p>\n
\ncomparisons to Bradbury and Chesterton<\/p>\n
\nfiction<\/p>\n
\n\u201cUnder Hill\u201d<\/p>\n
\nfriendship with Gene Wolfe<\/p>\n
\nvocabulary, writing Sandra into his magnum opus<\/p>\n
\nwife, Catholics in the sci-fi world<\/p>\n
\nspiritual function of fantasy<\/p>\n
\nSun<\/em><\/p>\n
\nhere]<\/p>\n
\nWolfe\u2019s invention of Severian<\/p>\n
\nesotericism<\/p>\n
\npleasure as two sides of the same coin<\/p>\n
\nlegends; reflections on how the scene has changed<\/p>\n
\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Best-Gene-Wolfe-Definitive-Retrospective\/dp\/076532136X<\/a><\/p>\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Shadow-Claw-First-Half-Book\/dp\/0312890176\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Sword-Citadel-Second-Half-Book\/dp\/0312890184\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMountains\u201d
\nhttp:\/\/www.scifiwright.com\/2011\/05\/gene-wolfe-on-jrr-tolkien-the-best-introduction-to-the-mountains\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/tolkiengateway.net\/wiki\/Letter_to_Gene_Wolfe#:~:text=On%207%20November%201966%2C%20J.R.R.,the%20footnote%20is%20in%20script.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.catholicworldreport.com\/2009\/08\/10\/a-conversation-with-catholic-sf-writers\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\nexploring Wolfe’s many and varied works: The Gene Wolfe Literary
\nPodcast (https:\/\/www.claytemplemedia.com\/the-gene-wolfe-literary-podcast<\/a>)
\nand Alzabo Soup (https:\/\/alzabosoup.libsyn.com\/<\/a>).<\/p>\n
\nhow the field operated in the Good Old Days is ASTOUNDING by Alec
\nNevla Lee.<\/p>\n
\nBaen Books in paperback (1989). I co-edited with Paul Kerry an
\nacademic book, LIGHT BEYOND ALL SHADOW on religion in JRR Tolkien’s
\nworks. I co-edited with David Drake two anthologies about sf
\nwriters influenced by Kipling, HEADS TO THE STORM and A SEPARATE
\nSTAR. I edited or packaged books by Poul Anderson, Gordon R.
\nDickson, and Andre Norton.<\/p>\n
\nTHE DA VINCI HOAX coauthored with Carl Olson?\u201d<\/p>\n
\nSun<\/em>, The Book of the Long Sun<\/em> (series)<\/p>\n
\nthe show, please consider supporting us! http:\/\/catholicculture.org\/donate\/audio<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n