quite enjoyed it. my coworker told me it’s filled w jargon and is generally perceived as being difficult to read. i agree that this is true but also felt that it worked well to build this intriguing world. the words aren’t that hard to understand with context, it just requires a bit of close reading and then you’re good. 

bears a lot of resemblance to le guin’s cerebral sci-fi/fantasy writing style. 

for some reason i was so touched by severian, the main character, though he didn’t really do anything to gain it. 

also, yes if you read old books, you get some old perspectives—be warned now.