The Book of the New Sun series is most definitely high literature. I read it in audiobook form, and am absolutely certain that I missed at least half of what was actually going on. Wolfe seems to bury underlying themes within his main one. This book is not a good leisure read, but is excellent for analytical reading. As for the main plot, its very complex and written to be confusing at first. I do love the premise of the book, which you find out later, but thats kinda spoilery, so I won't say it.