In 1984 I went to the theater to see the David Lynch film Dune. It was a weird movie, but I liked it and went to the library to check out Frank Herbert’s book. I could not read it, my 15-year-old brain could not pick up what Frank was throwing down.About a year or so later, I watched the movie again (rented the VHS at the video store) and again tried to read the book but again to no avail. I knew I liked the story, knew there was something there I liked a lot, just could not wrap my mind around the language.Another year goes by and I try it again and the third time was a charm; I was enthralled. Since then I’ve read all of Frank’s original six and many of the follow up books and Dune is one of my all time favorite books.In 2017 I read Gene Wolfe’s The Shadow of the Torturer, his first of four in the Book of the New Sun. I liked it but did not love it as I thought I would, just couldn’t quite connect. But his wonderful writing style and imagination stuck with me and I knew I would return to that world building. A friend’s comment made me think of it again and so I bought the second book …And I get it! WOW! Wolfe is an amazing writer, and I am mesmerized by his world building. Reminiscent of Ursula LeGuin and Jack Vance, this is also like Herbert’s writing in its intricate detail and complex design. Set, like Vance’s work, in a distant future, this is a blend of science fiction and fantasy that also makes me think of Silverberg’s Majipoor books. I can also see how Patrick Rothfuss was inspired by this work.But it is Wolfe’s writing that draws the reader in, the language he uses and the tones he sets are, using subtle nuances with unique words, makes this complicated and sometimes difficult to follow, but ultimately very enjoyable. This is not light reading, Wolfe asks much of his readers, but for a discerning follower, this is well worth it.Beginning just after the end of the first book, this follows Severian’s journeys. The second book has more action, more detail, and looking back I can see that the first book was providing detail and backstory for the full four book tetralogy. Severian develops his skills and has more adventures, but Wolfe leads us into many still unanswered mysteries.On to the third book!*** 2021 rereadWait ... what? Didn't you just read this (checks notes) last month?Yes, dear reader, I did. I read books two, three and four, went back to reread book one, and then just started all over again. These four books are really one story and need to be read together.This tetralogy has quickly become one of my favorite SFF stories and Wolfe one of my favorite writers. I've read lots of books and this is one of the finest fantasy books of all time.Severian has left Nessus with his new friend Jonas, who turns out to be very different from what we first expect, perhaps an allusion to the Wandering Jew mythos.Every chapter, every sentence, every word of Wolfe's narration can have multiple meanings. There is the surface story, then there are hints and references to something else - much symbolism, allusion and invitations to look more closely and to examine and re-examine what was said and done.Severian also meets the green man, from the future or from another world. The setting is in a far distant future where the great explorations and colonizations we usually see in SF is eons on the past here and the glory of technology is a mostly forgotten memory, though magic like technology remains.The journeyman torturer is put to work in the execution of Morwena in a scene that stayed with me in its poignancy and brutality. Here is an executioner who does his duty with skill and proficiency and in so doing actually shows mercy to the victim. We also see the iconic meeting with the H. G. Wells inspired apemen, more mystery with the Claw of the Concilliator and a Cthulhu reference.Again we see a play within a play and in Dr. Talos' theater I am reminded of the scene from the 1987 film Moonstruck starring Cher where Olympia Dukakis' character asked Danny Aiello why men chase woman and he gives her the answer she has been looking for - fear of death. Severian is not only death incarnate as a headsman, but also quite the lothario who seems to fall in love with every woman he meets.All this and more in Wolfe's inimitable writing and imagination. This may be an annual re-read, absolutely amazing.