Shadow & Claw (1983) by Gene Wolfe is a little complicated in form: it contains two novels–The Shadow of the Torturer (1980) and The Claw of the Conciliator (1981)–which themselves comprise the first half of a series known as The Book of the New Sun.
It could be described in terms that are quite familiar: a student at a specialized (at least mystical, if not magical) institution undergoes a trauma that forces them to leave and wander, in search of their destiny.
And while true, that would also grossly undersell the book. The institution is compelling: the protagonist is raised in a guild devoted to the art of torture, and their place within society is never quite clear. This ambiguity extends to other parts of the society as well: the ruler may be a savior, or he may be a despot; the existence of magic is undeniable, but inexplicable; etc.
There are hints throughout Shadow & Claw of a grand destiny, of a kingship yet to be discovered. In some ways, I hope that proves untrue: Wolfe’s writing is strongest in the smaller moments, in the cast of characters encountered, and in the slow discovery of the world he has created. There is a “play within a play” element that may seem unfulfilling, but the rest of the writing more than makes up for it.
The narrative is more meandering than sweeping, and that may not be everyone’s cup of tea. It is a reminder that, perhaps as an antidote to the formulaic demands of contemporary publishing, sometimes the best thing is to wander with an author, seeing a new world through their eyes.
#WhatIWishICouldDo
Wolfe is shockingly, expansively literate, to the point of creating an entirely new lexicon of invented, yet highly believable terms. Fuligin, the color darker than black; thalamegii, a boat powered by magic; metamynodon, a domesticated beast of burden. And that ignores the words that are obscure or entirely out of circulation that he revives: carnifex, anagnost, nidorous, quaesitor.
The intelligence sparkles throughout the text, yet somehow without being either overly obtuse or off-putting. That’s quite an accomplishment.