Hey, I'm still here and reading. Way more often than I read Facebook. (Many weeks I manage daily reads; this week has not been, for a variety of reasons.)
I'm so sorry to hear of your mom's illness, but I'm glad that things are looking positive. Hugs and good thoughts for you.
So far things have been going well - just saw the family this weekend.
Lord of Light is the only thing - including short stories - that I've read from Zelazny. There are certain stylistic tendencies of fantasy novels that it employed that I was really not prepared for which threw me off. I went in blind, not knowing at all what the book was really about, so it took me a while to adjust to that style. If I reread it now, I think it would read extremely differently than the first time! Are there any other books he wrote that you would also recommend?
I was all set to recommend The Chronicles of Amber, but thinking back on it, I liked the idea of the books a lot more than I actually liked the execution. I'm kind of amazed I didn't hurl it across the wall. The ideas are fantastic, though--I'd suggest at least reading the first novel (Nine Princes in Amber), and see if you like it.
Bring Me the Head of Prince Charming is great parody fantasy.
Dilvish, the Damned is a good take on the "eternal fantasy hero," though it's very...modern, I guess? It's a bit hard to describe. That might be part of what I didn't like as much about the Chronicles of Amber, too--the hero is very cynical, one-liner tossing hero of modern mindset.
"A Rose for Ecclesiastes" is a great short story, and there's a short story collection with it in it that I think is called "The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth" (also another great story), but I can't find a link.
Comments 7
I'm so sorry to hear of your mom's illness, but I'm glad that things are looking positive. Hugs and good thoughts for you.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
I do! Though the number of people posting there is pretty diminished nowadays.
I'm glad your mother has a good prognosis. I hope things have been going well since you posted this.
"Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny"
That might be his best book. I really need to reread it and see if it's as fantastic as I remember it being.
Reply
Lord of Light is the only thing - including short stories - that I've read from Zelazny. There are certain stylistic tendencies of fantasy novels that it employed that I was really not prepared for which threw me off. I went in blind, not knowing at all what the book was really about, so it took me a while to adjust to that style. If I reread it now, I think it would read extremely differently than the first time! Are there any other books he wrote that you would also recommend?
Reply
Bring Me the Head of Prince Charming is great parody fantasy.
Dilvish, the Damned is a good take on the "eternal fantasy hero," though it's very...modern, I guess? It's a bit hard to describe. That might be part of what I didn't like as much about the Chronicles of Amber, too--the hero is very cynical, one-liner tossing hero of modern mindset.
"A Rose for Ecclesiastes" is a great short story, and there's a short story collection with it in it that I think is called "The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth" (also another great story), but I can't find a link.
Hopefully that helps!
Reply
Leave a comment