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Title: Read it with a friend...
Review: I bought the first book of this series because of SF awards it received over the years (e.g., Nebula). So, I went in with rather high expectations and still was completely blown away.The characters are complex beyond imagination (mine, not Wolfe's, clearly). I've spent hours contemplating whether Severian is a moral man or not...My reason for posting this review, however, is to say that I only fully began to appreciate this series after a close friend read it and we began to discuss it. Wolfe leaves so many gaps in the plot...in his universe...in his philosophy...that the reader can supply a lot of imagination. Hearing my friend's interpretation, and his hearing mine, really brought that point home to each of us.I think a casual reading would still prove enjoyable. But, this book (at least for me) really came alive after long periods of introspection and discussion. So, get a friend to read it :-)
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