Really liked a lot of the ideas and tech/magic. What I’ve struggled with is 4 pages of description for one page of story/plot development. The Jolenta sex was weird, unnecessary/out of character for both of them and just seemed like the author getting off on it.
Were there clues on who the Autarch was or was it just a reveal?
All of that wordy exposition is hinting at a couple layers of backstory that won’t makes sense until your 2nd or 3rd time thru the series. Yes it’s all important, but on a first read thru, you’re probably fine to skip that stuff. As for that out of character scene, >!Severian raped Jolenta!< - he’s an unreliable narrator, remember?
Really liked a lot of the ideas and tech/magic. What I’ve struggled with is 4 pages of description for one page of story/plot development. The Jolenta sex was weird, unnecessary/out of character for both of them and just seemed like the author getting off on it.
Were there clues on who the Autarch was or was it just a reveal?
Did not spot Neil Armstrong, Jonas?
No, Neil Armstrong is back towards the beginning. The painting of the knight
All of that wordy exposition is hinting at a couple layers of backstory that won’t makes sense until your 2nd or 3rd time thru the series. Yes it’s all important, but on a first read thru, you’re probably fine to skip that stuff. As for that out of character scene, >!Severian raped Jolenta!< - he’s an unreliable narrator, remember?