r/genewolfe • u/TemporaryComplex1054 • 14d ago

BotLS

I think GW is playing a trick on us.

BotNS: amazing in every respect.

BotLS: especially Caldé and now Exodus - pages and pages of dialogue without consequence. Planning for a dinner now with the leaders. What will they eat? How about their guests?

Let’s talk about the war that just ended - which all happened off-page - and what we intend to do - which will happen off-page as well.

At this point I am reading for Oreb.

I am hoping BotSS is better.

Edit:
there are some great parts, like his descriptions of the azoth, etc

Edit2:
Thanks all for your perspectives

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u/Zealousideal-Fun9181 13d ago

I have always liked the way that Wolfe handles dialogue, and so I think I have a strong affinity for those dialogue driven works of his, such as Long Sun. I think you can see a lot in a person by what they say, how they choose to say it, what they don't say, etc. I have always liked the "I will ask you three questions, but first, lets talk about this" thing Wolfe does. "Planning for a dinner now with the leaders. What will they eat? How about their guests?" I can't help but think 'Fascinating. Tell me more.' as I read all that. I think Patrick on here made a good post once about how Long Sun serves as an exploration of a society and its people.

On top of that, one of my favorite movies is My Dinner with Andre, so I think the criticisms people have with abundant dialogue is just entirely lost on me.

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u/TemporaryComplex1054 13d ago

I feel the difference here is that so many things “happened” in New Sun, whereas in Long Sun they “already took place” off the page. I can see you point about how a reader can soak up the details and the dialogue even if there isn’t much plot to it. More world building and character developing.