(urth) theories

[Ryan Dunn]

On Oct 23, 2011, at 11:29 AM, Sergei SOLOVIEV <soloviev at irit.fr> wrote:

> There are especially many theories trying to declare that different personages are
> identical.

Well if people weren't always appearing masked, in disguise, or spying on Severian, then I'd see where you are coming from.

Wolfe's works most definitely ARE puzzles to be solved. He hides things in plain sight and assumes his readers will try to solve the mysteries he lays out. BotNS couldn't be a better example of this type of story.

I'm more concerned by naysayers who dare to presume that either 1) they know the material so well that those who still theorize have nothing valuable to offer; or (worse) 2) they believe they have figured it all out and anyone who offers a new line of thought is somehow beneath their literary prowess.

Inire is the most talked about, least seen character in the series. He is elusive yet somehow omnipresent. He is also (for no apparent reason) called Father. Do you really believe if is our of line to explore his character at length?

Tsk tsk.

And finally, there is nothing more disrespectful in literature discussion than to tell someone how they should or should not read a book, ESPECIALLY a Wolfe book. Give me a break. None of us are so all-knowing as to pass that kind of judgment. If you don't like people using an Urth discussion list to discuss theories related to Urth, maybe you're subscribed to the wrong list. I can think of no more appropriate place to have such spirited discussions. 

...ryan