I had only read some short stories by Zelazny several years ago which I liked. I had bought "Lord of Light" here a long time ago in a bazaar and had forgotten it on a shelf until its time came. Written during the tumultuous decade of the '60s, it is surely a work influenced by the climate of the era, yet it does not reek of contrived doubt nor does it peddle revolution. Very clever in its conception and well-written, it combines hard core science fiction with religious exploration and gives a very interesting rendition. Personally, I enjoyed it.

Zelazny's writing style in "Lord of Light" is quite unique. The story is set in a vivid and imaginative world that he has created. The characters are complex and engaging, each with their own motives and desires. The plot is full of twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. The religious themes add an extra layer of depth to the story, making it not just a simple science fiction adventure but also a thought-provoking exploration of faith and belief.

Overall, "Lord of Light" is a great read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys science fiction or is interested in exploring religious themes in literature. It is a classic work that has stood the test of time and continues to be relevant and engaging today.

Sam, the Buddha, forms an alliance with Demons to oppose the Gods in Heaven and promote Buddhism over Hinduism.

Sam, the political revolutionary, endeavors to liberate the people from a corrupt government and a stratified society under brutal technological repression.

Kali, who once loved Sam, later marries Sam's enemy Yama but then betrays him. Yama and Sam join forces to defeat Kali, yet they may unite all three against a common enemy.

Do these all seem like different books? Or even different genres? They are not.

The soap opera unfolds among the members of the ruling caste in a society deliberately structured around Hinduism to exalt the elite ruling class of a colony world. The society functions due to body transfer technology, enabling people to be reborn in different bodies and castes. The promise is that if one is a good citizen in their caste, their next body transfer will be to a higher caste until they eventually become a God. Only Gods have access to technology, which makes them godlike. This is also well presented with futuristic battles and science fictional elements such as the discorporeal natives who once fought with the Gods.

However, there is a political battle within the ranks of the Gods. Some favor giving technology to all, known as "accelerationism," but the conservative forces control the halls of Karma, and all the accelerationists do not get reborn as Gods. Enter Sam, who is also the Buddha, Siddartha, Kalkin, and has many other names.

The book is cleverly structured with seven chapters that are more like individual stories, weaving together the entire novel and spanning various timelines.

This book is masterfully layered, featuring philosophical discussions between Hindu gods and about Buddhism. Mostly, it doesn't forget that it is a mask over the political and science fictional plot. It is at its best when the implication is that these are actually the Gods they pretend to be. You are left wondering if Sam actually is the Buddha.

No one I know of is writing like this today, and no book in recent memory has inspired so much envy in me.

It has novelty and nuance from its first to its final paragraphs. For an hour after going to the porch to finish it, people saw my expressions and asked me what was wrong, because I was so preoccupied with what I’d just read.

Lord of Light, published in 1967, is ahead of the Science Fiction of this time in 2012.

If you missed it, Lord of Light is about a space colony where those with technology elevated themselves to the positions of Hindu gods to rule over others.

One of the first colonists returns from the ether to challenge their reign by introducing Buddhism as a cultural weapon.

The novel quickly becomes a heady mix of modern Speculative Fiction tropes, mythological writing styles, and Zelanzy’s unique casual grasp on life.

There is an extreme novelty in watching the god of death roll a cigarette or a party pass around an aerosol can of demon repellant as they plot to bring down Heaven.

In this novel, Zelazny beat many people to many ideas. Douglas Adams’s clever prayer machine is pre-empted by a decade here, in literal vending machines of faith, and Neil Gaiman’s “soma” of the gods is a favorite beverage.

It’s no surprise that Gaiman is quoted on the cover, as everything that is American Gods exists within Lord of Light, though the reach of this novel is much longer.

The rebellious Buddhist is not just a deceptive hero but potentially a reincarnation of the Buddha himself, and the Hindu Binder of Demons, and a jilted lover, at once at odds with the surviving pantheon and what the world has become.

As scenes trickle by, Mahasamatman transforms into the simple-minded Sam, or the philosophical and wily Buddha, or negotiators, or wild anarchists.

As he loses his identity, losing certainty over who he used to be and is supposed to be now, Zelazny’s prose chucks identity out of the window and adopts whatever writing style is necessary to capture the mood he’d want.

There’s a certain dark whimsy when we flip from the highly scriptural scenes to pulpy romance chatter.

There are two big ideas in the novel, and both are very concerning: religion and misogyny.

Decades before the Pullman fad of strawmen and didactically anti-theistic Speculative Fiction, Zelazny presents a robust world even on the side of the manipulators.

These false gods have multiple monologues on their motives and several good points in favor of their corrupt authoritarianism; they seem to have thought their rule through in ways modern religious villains never do.

The glimpses we get at their culture, reincarnating up the bureaucratic chain and devising ways to mimic powers of mythological figures, create some of the more striking SciFi in the book, and some of the most beautifully written passages.

None of this was expected when our initial points of view are all from the oppressed or betrayed protagonists, who have legitimate gripes to overthrow the world order.

They are also remarkably competent for religious villains, winning battles and cutting off Sam’s progress at multiple junctures.

Even when it comes down to a holy war of Hindu deicrats and relative humanists, the gods fare very well in combat and there are wild twists to the struggle.

Decades later we’re used to a three-act structure and a very simple way for such a war to play out in fiction; decades before, though, Sam loses an entire supporting force mid-book and experiences captivity where you’d expect rising action.

Indeed, that hero’s journey falls apart and accentuates the need for many individuals and cultures to cooperate against the authority of Heaven.

Maybe it shouldn’t be impressive, but this handling of the religious-antagonist side is so rare that it warrants heavy praise.

The second big idea of misogyny is a latent one, and I’ll ask any reader for his or her opinion on it.

It may just be an artifact of decades of Science Fiction where the prose genre was more of a stuffy boys’ club.

Sex seems to only be the preoccupation of women; our first female character has ties to the “Fornicatorium,” and the next time it comes up, it’s the strongest female character in the novel basically begging a man to get together with her again.

When we meet a transgender god who was once a woman, he is mocked for going from a girl to a “stud.”

The only developmentally challenged character is a girl (“retarded” in his words), and there is very little female participation in the battles.

Everyone in the novel has their issues, yet I was struck by the handling of women throughout.

I don’t want to condemn Zelazny, but am very curious for the interpretations of other readers.

Nothing slowed down my read. Stranded in a train station for two and a half hours, I happily sat in front of a fan and turned these pages.

Even in the last third of the book, where more time and events occur in-between the scenes and we’re left to figure out how someone cheated death or found a second army, the book only gets more interesting.

It’s unfortunate that the conflict has to resolve in violence, as the book is so clever with characters that you almost wish it could invent new means of widespread conflict resolution, yet its battle passages have all the vigor of The Song of Roland or The Iliad, though Zelazny had zombies and flying razor-chariots at his disposal.

More impressive than the fighting were the oblique hints at what supporting characters were up to behind and around the battles.

Zelazny leaves so much empty space and requires you to deduce how things worked so often that by the end, you’re invited to create conspiracy theories as to where our hero went, or who that little girl at Death’s monument really was.

I had at least two crackpot theories of my own, which is why I looked so funny for that hour after finishing. What a novel.

Doubt is the chastity of the mind.

This book is truly filled to the brim with mythology and stories within stories. I have a real weakness for such things, so it was inevitable that I would like it. It is set in a distant future, as well as a future past and a future future, which at times became a bit confusing. When combined with the great prose, it reminded me somewhat of Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun.

The basic concept, as I understand it, is that after the destruction of Earth, a colony ship arrives at a new world inhabited by non-corporeal beings. The crew of the ship modifies themselves so that they can fight those beings and eventually become so powerful that they fashion themselves into Hindu gods. The ship's passengers are kept ignorant of technology and are forced to worship the crew as their gods.

Eventually, one of the original crew decides to become Buddha and fights to uplift the inhabitants of the planet so that they can have a better life.

I really enjoyed this book, although it did jump around a bit and at times left me confused. However, the overall story and the unique concepts it presented made it a worthwhile read.

Here is an expanded version of the article:

An astonishing story unfolds, revealing one man's heroic struggle against the unjust oppression of an entire planet by a minuscule group of individuals who have arrogantly proclaimed themselves as gods. Rooted in the rich tapestry of the Hindu pantheon, this captivating narrative centers around Sam, one of the original settlers of the planet. Through the power of advanced technology, along with his remarkable skill and cunning, Sam has endured for centuries. He has witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations, and yet, he refuses to yield to the tyranny of those who seek to control. With each passing day, Sam devises new strategies to undermine the oppressors and free his fellow beings from their clutches. His unwavering determination and courage serve as an inspiration to all, as he embarks on a perilous journey to restore freedom and justice to the planet.

This is definitely my favorite writer. Point!!!

This statement holds a great deal of significance for me. There is something truly special about this writer that has captured my heart and imagination. Their words have the power to transport me to different worlds, evoke a wide range of emotions, and make me think deeply about various aspects of life.

Every time I pick up a book or an article written by this author, I know I am in for a treat. Their writing style is unique, engaging, and full of charm. They have a way of presenting ideas and stories in a manner that is both accessible and profound.

Whether it's a fictional tale that takes me on a thrilling adventure or a non-fiction piece that provides valuable insights and knowledge, this writer never fails to deliver. Their work has had a profound impact on me, shaping my perspective and influencing my own writing.

In conclusion, I can't emphasize enough how much I love this writer. They are truly one of a kind, and I look forward to reading more of their work in the future.

It has been two years since my first unsuccessful encounter with this book. At that time, I thought the problem was in the setting to which I was not at all accustomed then. And now, in the second reading, I conclude that it needs an editor for the first chapter which is a complete chaos. I had to go back to some passages several times, and finally I gave up and moved away. But here it is, that's only the first fifty pages or the first chapter. I notice that it is often the case with SF (although this is not a classic SF either). The author/ess enjoys throwing you into the middle of the events, and then you find yourself where you are and what it all means...

And here it is, after that chaos, a really brilliant story and criticism of all religions begins, I would say. The first ones colonize another planet and set themselves up as gods after the model of the Hindu and Buddhist pantheon. They really have some technological predispositions for taking over other bodies and powers and controlling the development of the colonized population, they determine who deserves what reincarnation and so on. At one point, the main character Sam starts a rebellion against the Heavenly City...

It is a bit difficult at moments to follow which god has passed into another body, some of them have several names throughout the book - and that, along with the abnormal beginning, would be the only drawback.

Otherwise, it has won the Hugo award which is a recommendation in itself, but I would add that it is one of those books for which it is better to be a little informed before starting (here I found a few great descriptions) because it could seem scary... That beginning really repels - and later it becomes interesting and unusually straightforward/simple... Another proof that one should not give up on a book :)

In any case, Zelazny is dearer to me when he is a salty fantasist, although there are also a few moments here when I laughed. And his writing style is a pure ten. He writes with wonderful, wonderful sentences.

The imagination presented in this work is truly remarkable.

However, when it comes to the skills of being a writer and a storyteller, there is definitely room for improvement.

I find myself in a dilemma when it comes to rating this. I am hesitant to award even three stars.

Surprisingly, though, I did manage to learn a few things from it.

Perhaps with more practice and refinement, the author could develop their writing and storytelling abilities to better match their vivid imagination.

It will be interesting to see how this work evolves in the future.

Overall, while there are flaws, there is also potential that cannot be ignored.

I don't even know where to start on this one.

Roger Zelazny solidified his position on my favorite authors list with Lord of Light. It's truly the best writing of his that I've come across so far.

The Plot: In a nutshell, immortals from Earth established themselves on another world and adopted the guise of Hindu gods. Sam, also known as Buddha, Siddhartha, Kalkin, and so on, opposes them in each of his lifetimes, resurrecting Buddhism as a means in his pursuit. The final showdown is truly satisfying.

As other reviewers have noted, the story mainly consists of one flashback framed by two bookend chapters. It took a bit of getting used to. The characters of the "gods" were fascinating. I would love to read more books about Lord Agni and the others. I also found the pray-o-mat machines and the Accelerationists, those who wished to provide humanity with advanced technology to accelerate their spiritual development, quite interesting.

All in all, it's science fiction wrapped in a fantasy guise, telling a version of the emergence of Buddhism from Hinduism. It's one of the finest books I read in 2009.

This DNF (Did Not Finish) dates all the way back to my high school or college days.

You know, those ancient times when dinosaurs seemed to stalk the earth.

I made an attempt to read my dad's paperback copy of this particular book.

However, it was a complete failure.

The book was extremely complicated and overly wordy.

I simply couldn't get myself engaged with it.

As a result, it ended up boring me to tears.

Now that I'm older and, hopefully, a bit smarter, or at least more well-read, I feel the need to give it another try sometime in the future.

Maybe with my newfound maturity and reading experience, I'll be able to appreciate and understand the book better.

Who knows, it might turn out to be a hidden gem that I just wasn't ready for back then.

Only time will tell. :)

**Title: My Thoughts on a Captivating Book**

30 Apr 2014 (ebook): I'm currently reading this with the Sci-fi & Heroic Fantasy group. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... Each time I read it, I like it better. Just like many of Zelazny's books, it makes far more sense after the first read. So, I can focus more on the diverse flavors it offers. Even knowing the ending doesn't diminish the enjoyment. The ending is truly super.

Several people have mentioned that the story is confusing. If it's your first time reading, be aware that it was intended to be published as a serial and was written in 7 different sections to fit in the magazine. Parts are written in different styles too. Part 1 is Sam's present, but then he remembers back and the next 5 parts are chronological until they catch up to and make sense of part 1. On a first read, if you're even slightly lost, I suggest going back and rereading part one before continuing to part 7 which concludes the story. It might seem a little weird, but the first part is a perfect starting point for many reasons that become clear once the story is over.

I can't find an ebook version here and I'm not sure where this one came from. Oh well, I have a paperback copy and have given away a dozen more, so I guess this bit of 'piracy' is okay. The publisher should port this to ebook format as soon as possible. I keep a few old favorites on my device for those times when I need to start a new book during lunch or have a rough day and need a comforting read. This is definitely one of them. I expect I'll read it again in a few years. It's a perennial favorite.

Added 31 Mar 11: It's amazing that I've read this book a dozen times or so and still enjoy it just as much every time. I see I last read it 3.5 years ago. That's a short time for a reread and I wasn't bored at all.

Written 30 Oct 07: Typically, the whole story unfolds slowly and somewhat confusingly on the first read. But we soon realize that a starship from Earth colonizes an alien planet. Fantasy meets SF as Psi powers, often enhanced by technology, allow the crew to impersonate a mutated version of the Hindu gods, ruling over the passengers. Mind-swapping and cloning make the old crew almost immortal, while the passengers multiply and spread across the planet, forgetting their roots and technology.

The story centers on Sam, a retired god and hero from the crew. He doesn't like the new gods and fights them through fair and foul means. Even in defeat and death, he wins and returns, as a thorn in the side of the gods. He recreates Buddhism, with himself as the Buddha. He makes pacts with demons, the original inhabitants of the planet who found a different path to immortality than body swapping. He even allies himself with the blackest demon of all, a Christian!

Zelazny's mix of science, religion, mysticism, and politics is fantastic and unique, as always. His hero, Sam, is insightful, mocking, and manipulative. He subtly guides people and events to his advantage while attempting to overthrow the gods.

The story isn't told in a straightforward manner (no big surprise) but as flashbacks for over half of it. It's almost disappointing when the story flows linearly, but the action is too intense and the politics too murky to further confuse it with time jumps.

I've read some criticisms of his take on Eastern religions, but I don't think he made any mistakes. He wasn't trying to recreate today's religions but show them in a far-flung future where they were established by power-hungry people for their own purposes. He was using them as a vehicle to make his point and felt justified in changing them to fit.

I've worn out two copies of this book. It's truly fantastic. He's one of my favorite authors and this is possibly my favorite book.

For now, until I read it again in Serbian, I will leave it unrated. This was too big a challenge for me, reading such a writer in English, with an incomplete focus. What I picked up is a pure ten.

It's not easy to understand and analyze a text written by a particular author in a foreign language. My attention might have wandered at times, but still, I managed to extract some valuable insights. I'm looking forward to reading it again in my native language to gain a more comprehensive understanding. Maybe then, I'll be able to give a more accurate rating. But for now, based on what I've understood so far, I think it deserves a high score.

Overall, this reading experience has been both challenging and rewarding. It has made me realize the importance of being able to read and understand different languages and cultures. I'm eager to continue exploring more works in English and expand my knowledge and understanding.