Words are inadequate

I picked this up at your recommendation.

I like that the aliens are changelings, with all the cultural meaning that those myths carry. If I may reiterate, golden age of sci-fi.

Is Gene Wolfe British? That is the only way I can reconcile the origin of Mr. Million's name, other than an attempt to be overly clever while trying to humanize him. This book could have been written in the time of the British "billion = trillion" craziness.

Overly clever is dissonant, like a dropped cymbal in the middle of a symphonic movement. Although not as jarring as Drew Barrymore's desire for more screen time, which is like a cellphone ringing during the performance.