Favourite Zelazny novels and short stories

@Strife - Lord Demon was indeed finished after his death by Jane Lindskold, she finished Donnerjack in the same way. While Lindskold did a good job with both books, I think Donnerjack hangs together better. I don't know which was the more complete manuscript

My understanding, Snowdog, is that the first section, up to the point where a character dies (not wanting to give too much away), was pure Zelazny, the rest wasn't. Though I could be wrong.
 
My understanding, Snowdog, is that the first section, up to the point where a character dies (not wanting to give too much away), was pure Zelazny, the rest wasn't. Though I could be wrong.

I've researched this point, and others, for the annotated Zelazny story collection and biography forthcoming from NESFA. The bottom line is that you're probably wrong, and it is not possible to pinpoint a particular section of the novel where Jane Lindskold took over.

The reasons for my conclusion are:

1) Zelazny's handwritten outline of the novel goes way beyond the point that you mentioned because the beloved character of Donnerjack Sr was not the focus of the planned trilogy - the *son* was the title character, not the father.

2) Zelazny's own handwritten, complete sections of the novel span parts beyond the point that you mention.

3) William Sanders, an author well acquainted with both Zelazny and Lindskold, and who apparently saw close-up how the completion of the novel evolved, wrote in an essay "Jane boldly disassembled Roger's beginning chapters and rearranged the whole structure of the novel. This is another reason it is so hard to tell who wrote what; Roger's original text is not printed as an integral whole, but is distributed in hunks and chunks through the present book. More boldly still, she completely rewrote certain parts, and threw out bits that didn't work. She acted, that is, as a genuine collaborator, not just a posthumous amanuensis—which was exactly what Roger had asked her to do."

It is true that Zelazny's contribution is about one-third of the final novel, but that doesn't mean the first third of the novel, it means about one-third of the material. Most of that material is in the first half of the book. But all of the first third is not entirely Zelazny's work.

As part of researching the biography, I have had the privilege of asking Jane Lindskold many questions about Zelazny and his work, but with respect to the question of exactly where she "took over" the writing, she has wisely declined to answer other people who asked (some of whom were apparently quite rude in how they asked, and angered that she wouldn't), and I chose not to ask this one because I don't think it is really answerable anyway, as Sanders' essay made clear.

Chris
 
Hi, Chris,

Sorry, perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I wasn't suggesting for one moment that Zelazny had no input into the bulk of the novel. I don't doubt for a minute that the main section owes something to his outline and more, but his voice certainly sounds a lot stronger and clearer in the first section, where I understand he had left something beyond an outline to build on.

I thoroughly enjoyed Donnerjack, but the opening section feels like Zelazny at his very best, the rest of the book a little less so. That's not intended as a criticism. I was delighted to find something by Zelazny posthumously available and applaud Jane Linskold for making it possible. It's simply an observation.
 
i just finished reading Donnerjack.

it's ****** good! i loved the virtual/real worlds.

the death of a programme was sad. i found it a melancholic book.

do you agree or am i way off?
 
I am primarily a book reader, the longer the better so I really have no favorite short stories. However Lord of Light makes my all time top 20 favorite books. Next would be the Corwin of Amber books. After thats its more confused as I like several of his books equally. I really wish he had written more adventures of Sam from Lord of Light either before LoL or after.
 
Oddly (and I think I'm definitely in the minority here), I only thought Lord of Light was so-so. Have absolutely no argument about it's creative use of mythology or, for that matter, many of the other characteristics that others here proclaim of it, but it just didn't grab me, for some intangible, difficult-to-articulate reason.

And I just found my copy of A Night in the Lonesome October last weekend. When a re-read opportunity presents itself (am working on offerings from Robin Hobb and Stephen Donaldson at the moment), it's next on my list! Might even read it to my kids!
 
Oddly (and I think I'm definitely in the minority here), I only thought Lord of Light was so-so. Have absolutely no argument about it's creative use of mythology or, for that matter, many of the other characteristics that others here proclaim of it, but it just didn't grab me, for some intangible, difficult-to-articulate reason.

Having just re-read it, I have some sympathy with that. The problem for me is that the characterisation is very sketchy, even of the main character. Nowhere is there any explanation for why he would challenge the rest of the "gods" rather than just enjoying their luxurious lifestyle. Fortunately, the writing is so beguilingly intelligent that I still enjoyed the read, but it's certainly not my favourite of his.
 
I think for novel it would be This Immortal. In the back of The Hugo Winners, Volumes I & II it's listed as And Call Me Conrad and, for years I looked for it and wondered why I couldn't find it. :)

I'm far less a fan of the novels than the stories in general. And specifically, in each case where I've read both ("He Who Shapes"/The Dream Master, "Damnation Alley"/Damnation Alley, maybe some other I'm forgetting) the short work is superior to the expansion. The great stories are too numerous to mention all of them - most everything, especially in that initial 60s flood. "A Rose for Ecclesiastes" is superb. I also like "Home Is the Hangman" and the rest of My Name Is Legion.
 
Having just re-read it, I have some sympathy with that. The problem for me is that the characterisation is very sketchy, even of the main character. Nowhere is there any explanation for why he would challenge the rest of the "gods" rather than just enjoying their luxurious lifestyle. Fortunately, the writing is so beguilingly intelligent that I still enjoyed the read, but it's certainly not my favourite of his.

Nowhere? How could you miss this? The explanation for Sam's actions are made quite clear in the novel. Sam and his other contemporaries were the original crew of the starship Star of India. The rest of the crew have made themselves the "gods" of this colonized world and have kept the resurrection equipment for their exclusive use so that they can live indefinitely and stay youthful. They have kept the descendants of the colonists in ignorance, forcing the colonists to think they are gods, suppressing knowledge and redevelopment of technology, and making the colonists live short mortal lives. Thus, generations of colonists have passed while most of the original crew live on as "gods." When someone stumbles upon the concept of the flush toilet or the printing press, the knowledge is quickly suppressed and forbidden by the "gods." The former crew enjoy their role as "gods" to the colonists when in fact all should be sharing the knowledge and technology equally. Sam was originally part of this but he objects to this form of slavery that the colonists have been placed under, and he decides to work various campaigns to undermine and overthrow the "gods," ultimately making the technology available to everyone again. He uses Buddhism against the Hinduism that the "gods" are mimicking, and he makes other efforts to help the colonists rediscover old technologies. The "gods" want the status quo of the colonists kept in servitude and ignorance; the Accelerationists want the colonists brought quickly back up to the level of technology and knowledge that the crew have kept for themselves. And by the end of the novel he has succeeded in his efforts, assisted by the other Accelerationists.
 
Forgot to comment on this.

Oddly (and I think I'm definitely in the minority here), I only thought Lord of Light was so-so.

So-so in the "glass half-full" sense of so-so, but I found a note I wrote ten years ago, awhile after reading it, to the effect that I liked it better while reading than after I had finished it; that it at first seemed like superior SF using Hindu elements but ended up feeling like an inferior Hindu epic using SF elements; that the aimless disjointed style of Chapter 5 could be seen as reflective of the aimless disjointed life in "Heaven" but that it ruined the mood created by the superb style of the first four chapters; something about feeling a dislocation in ch.6-7; something about doing more to raise themes than really address them. Ending with "I sort of liked it but it would be really easy to overrate and probably has been."
 
Nowhere? How could you miss this?

I'm well aware of the plot, having just read it.

My point was that the character of Sam was never properly explained - why did he take the stand that he did? What drove him to take the "moral" position, at considerable cost to himself, when most of the crew didn't? This is just stated and then taken for granted in the book. Sam never really came alive for me, I never felt I understood him or his motivation.
 
Hi - I've just found these forums and as a long time fan of Mr. Zelazny I thought I'd drop in and say hello....

To join in - favourite novels (difficult to choose, can I reserve the right to change my list?)

1. Lord of Light. Read and re-read this, and each time I feel like I'm getting something new.
2. A night in the Lonesome October. Quite a quick read, but enjoyable fun
3. This Immortal.
4. Amber series. Intrigue, adventure, passion....
5. Roadmarks.

trouble is, I've just written this list and now I'm already changing my mind!

CT.
 
Welcome to the Chrons, Cotton Tail. Stop by the Introductions forum and tell us a little more about yourself, if so inclined. In the meanwhile, other than the aforementioned lack of a spark that Lord of Light caused, I'd probably change the other 4 around on and almost daily basis amongst my top list..:D
 
Welcome to the Chrons, Cotton Tail. Stop by the Introductions forum and tell us a little more about yourself, if so inclined. In the meanwhile, other than the aforementioned lack of a spark that Lord of Light caused, I'd probably change the other 4 around on and almost daily basis amongst my top list..:D

Thanks! I've posted a very brief bio in Introductions....

Just reading other peoples suggestions make me change my list as each newly mentioned opus jostles for attention with me!

CT.
 
Yeah, Zelazny's too good for any of his stuff to constantly eclipse the rest for too long, at least in my cranium. And Call Me Conrad/This Immortal tries damn hard, though.....
 
I'm really looking forward to re-reading some of these - we've moved house, and our books have been in storage for months...I've missed them!

CT.
 
Yeah, Zelazny's too good for any of his stuff to constantly eclipse the rest for too long, at least in my cranium. And Call Me Conrad/This Immortal tries damn hard, though.....

Since i just finished This Immortal i must say it was pure quality. I liked it alot.

I liked how he played with mythology in a dead earth.

Have you read The Dream Master or the novella He Who Shapes ? They are like This Immortal and And Call Me Conrad.
 
I have read The Dream Master, Conn, though it's been a while. Picked up the first two volumes of the Collected Stories CKovacs has posted about (he's the one of the editors), and they're a must have for Zelazny fans. I should get to He Who Shapes in about a couple weeks. Thusfar, The Graveyard Heart (a novella) and Horseman! (very short story) were both excellent. Rose is in here, too, as are poems and lots of other goodies.
 
I have read The Dream Master, Conn, though it's been a while. Picked up the first two volumes of the Collected Stories CKovacs has posted about (he's the one of the editors), and they're a must have for Zelazny fans. I should get to He Who Shapes in about a couple weeks. Thusfar, The Graveyard Heart (a novella) and Horseman! (very short story) were both excellent. Rose is in here, too, as are poems and lots of other goodies.

Heh i was wondering because i hoped you had read the novella. Which version Zelazny prefered or which is the better version was what i was wondering. Like This Immortal. The books was cut different than serialized story and RZ prefered it,the novella title according the wiki info. Which made me wonder.

Im becoming a fan so i will get his short collection+Lord of The Light.

Hopefully He Who Shapes is in the same volume as Dilvish stories. A Zelazny S&S i must read.
 

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