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Claw of the Conciliator

Gene Wolf
Nebula 1981, Locus 1982, Internet Top 100, Top 20

Strange and fascinating, almost mythic tale of adventure, intrigue and overwhelmingly original character and setting. Great juxtaposition of the random, everyday-life feeling of events unfolding within a bizarre environment inhabited by a myriad of unexpected occurance.

Rich and engaging use of language. Portrays an admirable tenacity of purpose and meaningfulness surrounded by an existential world almost totally devoid of morality, enthusiasm or value. The already highly innovative situation frequently implodes with beings unexpectedly out of the future or from another planet. Many mysteries remain unresolved setting the stage for the next books.

In rare instances a little too graphically macabre and disturbing for my own taste. Not enough of a concern to unbalance the overwhelmingly positive aspects but watch out for a few passages if you have a weak stomach.

Unusual in that the Nebula went to the second in a series of four books. (Most common for the first in a series to win a Nebula or Hugo like Dune, Hyperion, or To Your Scattered Bodies Go or the last in a series like Tehanu, Foundation's Edge or Cyteen.) Because the brilliance in these books is based more on startling situations and personalities than plot, reading them out of order makes less difference. Though the first book, The Shadow of the Torturer, sets the stage and gives the main character's history; Claw of the Conciliator stands well on its own. You wouldn't have to start with the first book to understand and enjoy the second; but, after reading the second, most would feel inspired to go back and read the first book anyway ­ you might as well start at the beginning.

Without typical hyperbole, the jacket aptly describes my evaluation, "Evocative, profound, hypnotic. . . a novel of dreamlike beauties and awesome terrors".

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