The Catholic Tradition Podcast: Ep. 77 – Gene Wolfe, Catholic Sci-FI Legend

Jun 12, 2020

After a lot widespread demand, Thomas pays tribute to legendary
Catholic sci-fi author Gene Wolfe, who handed away final yr.
Although not identified to most people, Wolfe is a sci-fi writer’s
sci-fi writer—various his contemporaries thought-about him not
solely the most effective within the style, however in American fiction on the time
(Ursula Le Guin stated “Wolfe is our Melville”). Amongst at present’s
writers, one in every of his greatest followers is Neil Gaiman.

One critic described Wolfe’s magnum opus, The E book of the
New Solar, as “a Star Wars–model house
opera penned by G. Ok. Chesterton within the throes of a
spiritual conversion.”

Wolfe additionally held the patent on the machine that makes Pringles.
That’s his face on the can.

On this episode, Fr. Brendon Laroche feedback on Wolfe’s works,
whereas Wolfe’s buddy, Catholic historian and sci-fi professional Sandra
Miesel, shares private reminiscences.

Contents

[2:48] Why Fr. Brendon likes Gene Wolfe

[4:14] Cryptic but entertaining, evocations of reminiscence,
comparisons to Bradbury and Chesterton

[13:23] Wolfe’s standing on the planet of sci-fi and speculative
fiction

[16:50] Sci-fi therapies of medieval characters, dialogue of
“Below Hill”

[22:57] The character and prospects of “style” fiction

[32:03] Sandra Miesel’s involvement within the sci-fi world,
friendship with Gene Wolfe

[35:21] Wolfe’s distinctive and unusual thoughts, huge studying and
vocabulary, writing Sandra into his magnum opus

[38:01] Wolfe’s conversion to Catholicism and devotion to his
spouse, Catholics within the sci-fi world

[40:04] Wolfe’s magnum opus as Augustinian confession; the
religious perform of fantasy

[46:00] Premise and themes of The E book of the New
Solar

[52:26] Sacramentality and therapy of symbols [spoilers
here]

[1:02:38] Sandra’s work as a grasp costumer, its affect on
Wolfe’s invention of Severian

[1:06:11] Sandra on Catholicism in Wolfe’s writings, his
esotericism

[1:10:05] Wolfe’s delicate allusions and puzzles

[1:20:44] Wolfe’s therapy of sexuality; torture and illicit
pleasure as two sides of the identical coin

[1:27:58] Opening paragraph of “The Fifth Head of Cerberus”

[1:30:52] Colourful anecdotes about Wolfe and different sci-fi
legends; reflections on how the scene has modified

Hyperlinks

Really useful start line: The Better of Gene Wolfe

https://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Gene-Wolfe-Definitive-Retrospective/dp/076532136X

The E book of the New Solar in two volumes:

https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Claw-First-Half-E book/dp/0312890176/

https://www.amazon.com/Sword-Citadel-Second-Half-E book/dp/0312890184/

Learn the quick story “Below Hill” http://www.infinitematrix.internet/tales/shorts/under_hill.html

Wolfe’s essay on Tolkien, “The Greatest Introduction to the
Mountains”
http://www.scifiwright.com/2011/05/gene-wolfe-on-jrr-tolkien-the-best-introduction-to-the-mountains/

Tolkien’s letter to Gene Wolfe
http://tolkiengateway.internet/wiki/Letter_to_Gene_Wolfe#:~:textual content=Onpercent207percent20Novemberpercent201966percent2Cpercent20J.R.R.,thepercent20footnotepercent20ispercent20inpercent20script.

Interview with Wolfe coping with his Catholicism https://www.gwern.internet/docs/fiction/1992-jordan.pdf

Sandra Miesel’s “A Dialog with Catholic SF Writers”

https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2009/08/10/a-conversation-with-catholic-sf-writers/

Two completely different (non-Catholic) podcasts that are fairly useful in
exploring Wolfe’s many and assorted works: The Gene Wolfe Literary
Podcast (https://www.claytemplemedia.com/the-gene-wolfe-literary-podcast)
and Alzabo Soup (https://alzabosoup.libsyn.com/).

Comply with-up feedback from Sandra Miesel: “A current guide to study
how the sphere operated within the Good Outdated Days is ASTOUNDING by Alec
Nevla Lee.

My novel was DREAMRIDER, later expanded as SHAMAN revealed by
Baen Books in paperback (1989). I co-edited with Paul Kerry an
tutorial guide, LIGHT BEYOND ALL SHADOW on faith in JRR Tolkien’s
works. I co-edited with David Drake two anthologies about sf
writers influenced by Kipling, HEADS TO THE STORM and A SEPARATE
STAR. I edited or packaged books by Poul Anderson, Gordon R.
Dickson, and Andre Norton.

And the way did I overlook to say my most profitable publication,
THE DA VINCI HOAX coauthored with Carl Olson?”

Another novels talked about:

By Gene Wolfe: Latro (sequence), The Urth of the New
Solar, The E book of the Lengthy Solar (sequence)

Poul Anderson, The Excessive Campaign

James Blish, A Case of Conscience

Frank Herbert, Dune

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