Gene Wolfe is one of the most admired and respected American science fiction and fantasy writers. He is also a productive writer of outstanding short fiction, which is collected in many volumes over the last forty years, most recently in The Best of Gene Wolfe.
Although Wolfe is not as well-known to readers as he once was, he has been the receiver of great praise, including three World Fantasy Awards, two Nebulas, and eight Hugo Award nominations (提名). Sci-fi author Harlan Ellison has called him, “no less than one of the finest, most original writers in the world today”, and the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction names him “quite possibly the most important” writer in the field of science fiction.
Born in 1931, New York, Gene Wolfe moved frequently as a child, but spent most of his growing-up years in Texas. Wolfe began writing fiction in 1956, selling his first story,T he Dead Man, to Sir magazine in 1965. He produced a vast amount of short fiction during the 1960s and 1970s, many of which were published in Damon Knight’ s Orbit anthologies. In 1972 Wolfe’ s groundbreaking The Fifth Head of Cerberus appeared. The story of human conquest (征服) upon two distant planets, the book examines issues of identity, individuality, and the results of colonialism (殖民主义) upon both the colonised and the colonizer. The novel was later listed in David Pringle’ s 1985 list of The 100 Best Novels in science fiction for the period 1949-1984.
Many of his novels, The Shadow of the Torturer included, rely on a diary or letter to tell his story. In addition, Wolfe’ s early interest in mystery novels shines through in his ability to drop cleverly hidden clues that allow the readers to grasp at the possible narrative behind the narrative.
By 1984 Wolfe was able to retire and devote himself full-time to his writing. Yet despite (尽管) all this, and despite the continuing respect of his colleagues, his work has become somewhat unfamiliar. Wolfe’ s admirers hope this fact will be at least somewhat improved by his most recent offering, The Wizard Knight, which falls within the fantasy type that is currently popular.
1. What is Harlan Ellison’s attitude towards Gene Wolfe?
A.Concerned. | B.Sympathetic. |
C.Admiring. | D.Regretful. |
2. What do we know about
The Fifth Head of Cerberus?
A.It was well received. |
B.It was Gene Wolfe’s first novel. |
C.It was published in Sir magazine. |
D.It was co-authored by David Pringle. |
3. Which has great influence on Gene Wolfe’s writing style?
A.His understanding of life. |
B.His childhood experiences. |
C.His colleagues’ suggestions. |
D.His love for mystery fiction. |
4. What can we infer about Gene Wolfe from the last paragraph?
A.His work has become less popular. |
B.He became famous for The Wizard Knight. |
C.His fans were disappointed to some degree. |
D.He stopped fantasy writing after his retirement. |