I remember reading this story when it first came out in the late 80s and hating it. On rereading it, I still dislike it. I know I’m missing something, because Gardner Dozois liked it enough to include it in his Modern Classics of Fantasy book, but to me its as opaque as a glass tinted darkly, and about as interesting. I have no clue as to what is supposed to make this story great. Instead, I’m just annoyed at it.