SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

We're approaching the end of the month and by now most should have finished the book.

Did any of you decide not to finish it? If yes, why?

How do you feel it compares with other books in Zelazny's oeuvre, excluding the Amber series, which pretty much stands on its own? I'm thinking of Roadmarks for instance.

Lonesome was written about two or three years before his death in 1995, although he was really in mid-career.

I've only read one other Zelazny novel: Trumps of Doom. I'd say they were equally uninteresting. This one had some clever s___, though.

'Trumps of Doom' was not one of his better novels, in my opinion. They are somewhat clever & funny, but I never cared for the second Amber series as much as the first & the Amber novels are not his best work, by far. This Immortal & Lord of Light were two of my favorites, but his short stories are really gripping too. Roadmarks is certainly up there along with Doorways in the Sand & Creatures of Light and Darkness.

I don't care much for most of his books written with other authors, especially those finished by Jane Lindskold. Zelazny had a touch that she fails to complement & the results are really disappointing. One exception is Coils which he wrote with Saberhagen Fred.

Most of his books are quick reads. His description is excellent because he doesn't bog you down with a lot of useless detail. There's just enough to paint the outlines & the rest is left to the reader's imagination. Sometimes that can add some interesting twists.

He also experimented with a variety of styles. I've mentioned Doorways in the Sand in another topic here. Roadmarks uses 3 timelines broken into 'chapters'. Today We Choose Faces is told from the point of view of a man who tried to better himself & the human race through memory deletion, but has to unlock his memory due to a crisis, so there are almost 2 timelines going on. Sometimes it can be disconcerting & I've had to read some books twice to really get the full feel of the story. It's worth it.

I also think Doorways in the Sand is one of his best and I concur with you Jim that his second Amber series was nothing but disappointing. I have Roadmarks on my shelves right now. I`ll have to reread it.

I liked both the first and the second Amber series... but then, I probably read them both before I could drive, so my tastes may have changed since then.

Since I've been an adult, I've not only read but taught Lord of Light to high school students a few times. It's quite good.

Since Peggy mentions short stories, I'll add that the short story that's stayed with me longest was "A Rose for Ecclesiastes."

I haven't read any other Zelazny books, but I really enjoyed this one. I think I just might get some more Zelazny.

From Fantastic Fiction Zelazny's collections are:

Four for Tomorrow (1965)
aka A Rose for Ecclesiastes
The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth: And Other Stories (1971)
Poems (poems) (1974)
My Name Is Legion (1976)
Unicorn Variations (1977)
The Illustrated Roger Zelazny (1978)
The Last Defender of Camelot (1980)
When Pussywillows Last in the Catyard Bloomed: and Other Poems (poems) (1985)
Frost and Fire (1989)
Here There Be Dragons / Way up High (1992)
Manna from Heaven (2003)

I'm not much on poetry, haven't read his & don't have the books.

'My Name is Legion' is 3 stories about a guy who opts out of computerized society after helping to create the system that puts everyone in one big database.

'Manna From Heaven' has a few otherwise unpublished Amber stories that help tie the books up better & the title story is neat.

I enjoyed the book so much that I wrote a song about it. I have it posted on my blog, if you'd like to give it a listen.

http://scifisongs.blogspot.com/

Thanks,
John

That's fun. Thanks, John.

Thanks Jim. Glad to hear that you enjoyed it.

John

This is the first of Zelazny's work I have read. I am behind on my reading so that is why I ended up reading it in November but I am so glad I did. This was a fun and entertaining book to me. I could not tell by the posts here if any of his other books are similar?



John I just checked out your song and it is great! I loved it!~!

In my completely biased opinion (I'm a Zelazny fan) no, it's not really like his other books & yet it is. He fiddles around with lots of styles. He rarely tells the entire story, but draws the mystery out. See my message #3 in this thread.

Thanks Angie. I'm happy to hear that you liked it.

I tried to leave a comment on your website but I think you have to be a member? It is not open to the public right?

Wow, I didn't know anyone else had read this book. I stumbled across it in a used book store many, many years ago. I don't remember it too well except getting a little thrill with the vampire's choice toward the end. I also thought the idea of telling it from the familiars' point of view was a welcome little twist.

I recommend this book to everyone!