There Are Doors - Gene Wolfe *****
By Brian Clegg
One of Wolfe’s specialities is to keep the reader unsure of what’s happening – and this 1988 novel is probably his greatest example of this particular fantasy mode. The central character (we don’t even discover his name until well through the book) has fallen deeply in love with a woman he has only known for a few days – but she has disappeared leaving behind a mysterious note about doors he should avoid (or back out of if he accidentally goes through one).
Inevitably he goes through such a door, into what appears to be an alternate USA, where there are references to people and even dolls who resemble the missing Lara, who he is obsessive to find. But is any of this real or is he mentally ill? This is an idea that isn’t pursued enough in real world fantasies (though done beautifully in Buffy).
It has been a long time since I last read this book, but I’ve always remembered it as one of Wolfe’s best. I was disappointed when I’d got well past halfway through and nothing was becoming clearer – it was all feeling too random. If you get that feeling too, don’t give up. The final few chapters are a brilliant resolution to it all, transforming the way things seemed to be turning out. It’s a very risky approach, but remarkable.
At last, one of Wolfe’s classic fantasies that’s still in print from Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com and Bookshop.
Review by Brian Clegg - See all Brian's online articles or subscribe to a weekly email free here
Now Appearing is the blog of science writer Brian Clegg (www.brianclegg.net), author of Inflight Science, Before the Big Bang and The God Effect.
Source: http://brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/06/there-are-doors-gene-wolfe.html
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