Author
7 May 1931–14 April 2019
Also known as Wolfe, Gene., Wolfe, G., G. Wolfe
Gene Wolfe was born in Texas. After dropping out from Texas A&M University, he served in the Korean War, and later graduated from the University of Houston. He worked first as an engineer, notably designing part of the machine that produces Pringles potatoe chips, and later as the editor of a professional engineering magazine, Plant Engineering.
Wolfe was a prolific writer, publishing over 30 novels and hundreds of short stories in his life. He was known for the complexity of his narratives and the depth of his characters, frequently using unreliable or fallible narrators to enhance his thematic focus on memory. His work explores topics of morality, often through the lens of his Catholic faith.
Primarily recognized for his science fiction and fantasy works, Wolfe received a litany of recognition in those genres including the British Science Fiction, World Fantasy, British Fantasy, Locus, Nebula, and Campbell Memorial Awards. In 2012 he was recognized as the 29th Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
Information from Tor Publishing and The New Yorker.
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A way in
A considered starting point for reading Gene Wolfe, drawn from catalog context and salon activity when available.
The catalog
100 works
Core ranking is using the catalog’s provisional quality order while the versioned ranking population is prepared.
Recorded as 1999; date may be inaccurate
24 cataloged editions
21 cataloged editions
17 cataloged editions
Recorded as 1983; date may be inaccurate
15 cataloged editions
15 cataloged editions
12 cataloged editions
11 cataloged editions
Recorded as 1991; date may be inaccurate
10 cataloged editions
10 cataloged editions
10 cataloged editions
Recorded as 1994; date may be inaccurate
9 cataloged editions
9 cataloged editions
Recorded as 1997; date may be inaccurate
8 cataloged editions
Recorded as 1995; date may be inaccurate
8 cataloged editions
Recorded as 1983; date may be inaccurate
8 cataloged editions
8 cataloged editions
8 cataloged editions
8 cataloged editions
7 cataloged editions
Recorded as 2004; date may be inaccurate
7 cataloged editions
7 cataloged editions
6 cataloged editions
With Dirk Berger, Tim Powers
5 cataloged editions
5 cataloged editions
Readers in conversation
Public notes, reviews, lists, and conversations around Gene Wolfe.
Wolfe's language is singular; it's knotted and chewy, intentionally obscure; the po-faced 'translator's note' left at the end of the book freely admits that the words used do not necessarily accurately reflect the objects of the story's world. This haze exten…
There are many things to like about Shadow of Torturer. Sentences that make you want to kiss its feet. Sentences that are both profound and beautiful. Take this beautiful passage alluding to quantum mechanics in a way Perhaps when night closes our eyes there…
I feel that pressure of time is perhaps the surest indication we have left childhood behind
I am a serial lurker of Western Australian Op Shops. Here are the fruits of my labours.