The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe
The novel follows a young apprentice torturer named Severian who is exiled for showing mercy to one of his victims by allowing her to die. As he travels through a futuristic, dystopian world, he becomes embroiled in a series of political and supernatural events, while also grappling with his own moral compass and the nature of his profession. The story is steeped in allegory and symbolism, with a narrative that explores themes of memory, truth, and the nature of storytelling.
The 2937th greatest book of all time
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This book is on the following lists:
- 78th on 20th Century's Greatest Hits: 100 English-Language Books of Fiction (Larry McCaffery)
- World Fantasy Award—Novel (World Fantasy Awards)
- The British Science Fiction Association Awards - Novel (British Science Fiction Association)
- Science Fiction: The 100 Best Novels (David Pringle)