Severian

Severian is the narrator and main character of Gene Wolfe's four-volume novel The Book of the New Sun, as well as its sequel, The Urth of the New Sun. He is a Journeyman of the Seekers for Truth and Penitence (a Guild of torturers) who is exiled after showing mercy to one of his clients.

Severian claims to have perfect memory (his eidetic memory is stated as a fact by Gene Wolfe in Shadows of the New Sun). In spite of this, some critics and analysis claim him to be an unreliable narrator.

Severian's life

At the opening of the novel, Severian saves the life of Vodalus, an outlaw who is fighting to restore Urth to its former glory. As a reward, Vodalus gives Severian a gold coin, which Severian treasures from then on. He later learns that the golden coin is fake. Dr Talos hands Severian a similar coin and tells him it is fake; Severian compares the coin to the coin Vodalus gave him, and notices they are the same (pg. 395, Citadel). Throughout the rest of his youth, Severian idolizes Vodalus and seeks to join him.

Severian (disambiguation)

Severian can refer to: