I'm just ~80 pages into the first book in Book of the New Sun ( Shadow of the Torturer ), and guys I'm in love.
I just finished The Citadel of the Autarch, the last book in Book of the New Sun. Mind Blown. What a great book(s). You are very very lucky because it keeps getting better and you get to read it all for the first time. Beware of any spoilers or hints it's much more fun that way. It's inevitable that you'll look for answers to some of the mysteries. I had to be really careful when I searched not to get ahead of myself. Looking forward to re-reading it all over again next winter.
You can see where RR Martin got a few ideas. There's a lot of obscure extinct animals from across the Cenozoic. Obscure terms for medieval weaponry. It's especially tricky because he often doesn't know what the weapon really does. For instance he'll refer to a obscure type of Roman lance. Only that's not what the weapon really is, it functions and probably looks much differently. So you have two obstacles to stumble over, the archaic terms and his limited worldly experience. It must have been a rough read before google. It would be easier if he'd just say, Green Berets, Army Rangers, or Special Forces, instead of an obscure 14th century name for Arabic soldiers who did essentially the same thing. (made up analogy)
When I started reading it I saw the book referenced as an example of an 'unreliable narrator'. This is the sort of stuff they're talking about and I think it's unfair. If the narrator is describing something you should be restricted to what he can understand. Of course on a greater level you can question the narrator's honesty and such but then you have to question the themes and overall philosophy..
I can see how some people would be turned off by the style but to me it's perfect.. Give the book an even more mysterious, antique, and dream-like vibe. Layers within layers within layers. There's all sorts of coincidental meetings throughout, starting with saving Vodalus. Normally I hate that kind of thing but the book is so insane I end up accepting it.
I could go on and on, you know how it is when you just finished a series of some of the best books ever. It reminds me of some of the old weird fiction writers, specifically Clark Ashton Smith. If you've never read him before check him out. There's a website that has most of his stories printed up. Most of them are old enough and I don't think he had heirs so it's public domain or close to it. He uses very long, obscure words you need a dictionary. Or the glossary the website has.
Oh if you have questions about terms or ideas, ask. Some of it is a google away but some is more complicated and you don't want spoilers..
Finally getting off my butt and reading Dune. I know there are multiple books, but I've heard anything after Herbet's death isn't worth reading.
Any insight from anyone?
Great series. Anything written by old man Herbert is good, anything by the son is questionable. I don't want to call the people that like nu-Dune idiots, I don't want to insult anyone and different strokes for different folks. I can't imagine anyone who enjoyed all the original books liking the new ones. Discrepancies, dumbing down, one dimensional caricatures of the original characters, sloppy, juvenile writing, etc. etc. If you like simple young adult fan fiction to while away a rainy day you could like the new books. Or if you absolutely must have the blank spots the author expects you to use your imagination to fill, filled poorly, you may enjoy them. (They suck.)
As you get deeper into the original series the books get more philosophical. God Emperor is a stumbling block for a lot of people, it's the most philosophical and there's a lot of Frank Herbert's view on humanity and humanity's evolution. I enjoy it but I can see why some people don't. The last two books are quite good, pick up steam. At the end there's not a 'cliffhanger' as the nu-Dune authors claim, I think Frank knew it could be his last book. There are mysteries and string left hanging. To me ending it there is fine and makes sense. There were several times Frank thought he wouldn't write more books while writing the series. More money and ideas brought him back but the series could have ended after most the books and it would have been fine.
