Severian

The fact that Severian is an unreliable narrator, who distorts his own account and fabricates certain episodes in his adventure, doesn't * change* the larger fact that here is yet another SF story about some guy who finds out he's God.

MIND MELD: Books We Love That Everyone Else Hates (and Vice Versa) 2010

In SHADOW OF THE TORTURER, Wolfe implies, without every saying so, that the tower in which Severian is raised is the hulk of an ancient starship, so old that its original use is forgotten, but the old names for things (decks, bulkheads, portholes) betray its original use.

WolfeWiki 2008

For instance, Severian is an orphan, I believe, or at least, he doesn't remember who his parents are.

SCiFi Chat Transcript - Gene Wolfe 2004

By my friends, of whom there were never very many, I was called Severian the Lame.

The Urth of the New Sun Wolfe, Gene 1987

But some of them, known as the Severian Monophysites, set limits to the knowledge of Christ.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 1: Aachen-Assize 1840-1916 1913

If he were forced to recall Severian, he would cherish no hidden grudges.

Gathering Clouds: A Tale of the Days of St. Chrysostom 1831-1903 1895

So when 'Severian' came along, which collects the four books of Gene Wolfe's Book Of The New Sun, I thought, yes.

MIND MELD: What SF/F/H Books Are On The Top of Your "To-Be-Read" Pile? 2010

I said, "Severian," and steadied her with one hand while I accepted Terminus Est with the other.

The Shadow of the Torturer Wolfe, Gene 1980

So when 'Severian' came along, which collects the four books of Gene Wolfe's

SF Signal 2010

Muggles will read it and be puzzled why Severian always described sunrise as the Eastern horizon dropping away from the sun.

What SF would you recommend to a non-reader? 2009