I have been listening to this particular piece on Youtube for a considerable period of time. However, I have found it extremely difficult to get fully engaged with it. In fact, after spending 2 hours and 25 minutes out of a total of 11 hours and 15 minutes, I had to DNF (Did Not Finish) it. The narrator's performance is actually very good. They have a nice tone and pronunciation, which makes the listening experience quite pleasant.

Unfortunately, the content itself failed to maintain my interest. It seems that the story or the information being presented just didn't have that hook to keep me hooked. Given the style of writing and the way it was delivered, I firmly believe that if I had attempted to read the physical book, I would have lasted an even shorter time. For instance, it took me 1 hour and 40 minutes just to get through chapter 1, which is quite a long time considering my usual reading speed.

Nonetheless, I understand that everyone has different tastes and preferences. What didn't work for me might be exactly what others are looking for. I truly hope so. I would still recommend anyone who is interested in this topic or genre to give it a try by listening on Youtube. You might just find that it appeals to you in a way that it didn't for me. Since I couldn't finish it, I'm unable to give it a proper rating.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I hope my experience can be of some help to you in making a decision.

In my opinion, "Lord of Light" (LOL) is regarded as science fiction. The author sets the story in a far future and uses technology as the magic system. However, the story is mainly influenced by Indian mythology. It's not a simple retelling of Indian myths, though. Based on my very limited knowledge of Indian myth, it seems the author has done thorough research. He blends the myths with his own story. To put it more harshly, the author is using Indian mythology to enhance the story. So, please don't use LOL as a reliable reference for Indian mythology.

But the main story itself is just average. The setting based on Indian myth definitely boosts the selling point. And it was first published in 1967, which was a good timing as the flower people were flourishing in the USA. This might have contributed to its initial popularity.

Overall, while "Lord of Light" has its interesting aspects, it's important to approach it with a critical eye and not assume it provides an accurate portrayal of Indian mythology.

Clearly, a significant number of people have a great affection for this book. On both LibraryThing and Goodreads, the average rating stands at 4.1, and on Goodreads alone, it has amassed over 23,000 ratings. However, I, unfortunately, was not among its enthusiasts. I didn't despise it; rather, I mostly felt a sense of indifference towards it.

This story is set on an alien planet in the distant future, where technology has advanced to such an extent that certain men and women have been able to establish themselves as gods. They have specifically chosen to imitate the Hindu gods, perhaps due to the vast number of deities to select from. These gods possess the ability to acquire new bodies as their current ones age, and they also control the general public's capacity to be "reincarnated" into new forms. Additionally, they severely limit the general public's access to technology, fearing that an excess of power could lead to a potential overthrow of their divine rule. The "hero" of the story is Siddhartha, the man who became the Buddha in the Buddhist religion. He is portrayed as something of a fraud, yet one who cares deeply for humanity and selflessly opposes the gods, regardless of the personal cost.

Authors employ diverse methods when it comes to world building. Some provide copious amounts of exposition, while others introduce the necessary information in a more subtle manner. With this particular book, I felt that the world-building aspect was completely lacking. After reading approximately 50 pages, my understanding of the setting remained so hazy that I finally relented and did something I rarely do - I read the synopsis on the back cover of the book. Although it was only a brief paragraph, it furnished crucial context for certain elements that were merely hinted at within the text. I typically view a synopsis as something to be avoided whenever possible, as they often reveal too many details that are more enjoyable to discover independently while reading the story. In this instance, however, the synopsis seemed like an essential prerequisite for reading.

I generally relish stories that explore cultures with which I am less familiar. Although I am by no means an expert on Hinduism or Buddhism, I did take an introductory course on Eastern religions, so I was at least acquainted with the fundamental concepts and terminology. I was reasonably familiar with the story of Siddhartha, although my memory of the Hindu gods was rather sketchy. I also usually fare quite well with books that require me to gradually decipher the meaning of everything through context. In fact, I typically prefer this type of story to one that spells out every detail from the outset. I suppose the point I'm attempting to make is that my issue with this book was not centered around its exploration of foreign concepts.

I did manage to grasp that there were underlying Messages, Nuances, and Thoughts within the story, and they were likely far less common among readers when this book was published in the 1960s. I found them somewhat interesting, but they are hardly novel in today's context. By themselves, they were not sufficient to maintain my interest when I didn't enjoy the story itself. The book does possess a fair amount of humor, particularly in the dialogue, which I did enjoy to some extent. In general, I derived more pleasure from the dialogue segments than from the seemingly endless action sequences. Those were the parts that often made me consider abandoning the book, and perhaps that would have been the wiser course of action. I suspect that Zelazny's writing style may simply not be very compatible with my way of thinking. Nevertheless, I do intend to give more of his work a try in the future. Perhaps having better expectations will prove beneficial in my next attempt.

Prince Siddhartha, having achieved enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree, emerged as the Buddha. His teachings spread like wildfire across India, undermining the very foundation of decadent Brahmanism. Understandably, the Hindu priests were alarmed, yet they were powerless against the doctrine of the eightfold path, much like the stagnant air within a room when faced with the tempestuous storm outside. So, they resorted to a clever ploy: after the Buddha's demise, they assimilated him and made him an avatar of Vishnu (in essence, they co-opted him). Perhaps this is the fate that awaits all reformers.

This is the stuff of history. Roger Zelazny takes the basic framework of this story, randomly adds the exotic elements of Indian myth and legend, seasons it with the Promethean spirit of defying the heavens, and presents it as a science fiction novel. For those who have not regularly sampled the exotic and spicy cuisine of India, this is indeed extraordinary fare. Alas, for my jaded palate, it is rather ordinary.

Zelazny writes with great skill. The novel is imaginatively structured - as Adam Roberts points out in the introduction, the author deliberately confounds us with the use of flashbacks. The language is rich, lush, and perhaps a bit overly sweet, like India at its most exotic (or its most overwhelming), as seen through an "Orientalist" lens. In an era when characterization was often lacking in science fiction, Zelazny presents us with well-rounded characters who behave in a consistent manner. The science fiction elements are also well-developed and in line with a technology so advanced that it is "indistinguishable from magic" (to borrow from Arthur C. Clarke).

It is evident that the author is well-acquainted with India. He knows the names of numerous Indian gods (not just the Vedic pantheon - Murugan, for example, is a Tamil god). From the detailed description of the Kathakali performance, I am almost certain that Zelazny has traveled in Kerala (my hometown). The way each god's "Attribute" defines him or her is more or less consistent with Hindu mythology - and it has been convincingly translated into scientific terms. And the description of the "Rakasha" (the Rakshasas and Asuras of Indian myth) as elemental spirits of the planet, subdued and imprisoned by the human colonizers, closely parallels the real origin of these demons in folklore.

However, once all the fancy trappings are stripped away, I find the story of a renegade god rebelling against the celestial dictators to be quite ordinary. If the entire Indian pantheon were not part of the story, if it were simply the tale of a plain "Sam" rebelling, I do not believe this book would have merited a second look at the awards. It was marketed under the guise of exotic India, like many other Orientalist offerings. One could argue that this was Zelazny's intention, and there is nothing inherently wrong with that: I would tend to agree. His vision of using Indian myth to add flavor to a science fiction novel was, at the time of its publication, a bold and innovative move. The only thing is, I am not among the intended audience.

I have one more caveat: Zelazny freely mixes and matches the gods and their attributes (especially towards the end). Since these are not actual gods but human beings who have assumed these attributes, this is technically acceptable, but it soon becomes a hodgepodge that is very difficult to follow. Also, in the process, he views many of the gods in a one-dimensional manner (this is most明显 in the case of Krishna, who is only seen as a lecher).

I would recommend this book to those who are unfamiliar with Indian mythology. I'm afraid that those who are well-versed in it may be disappointed.

Not at all what I expected! I had sort of anticipated a clone of "Moon Is A Harsh Mistress," but instead, it was a retelling of a myth that espoused Hinduism rather than Rational Anarchy. While I probably would have liked that other version too, this was truly a very inventive and captivating myth retelling, and I loved it for that.

CONTENT WARNING: (no actual spoilers, just a list of topics) Transphobic comments/deadnaming, death of loved one, sexual assault (mild)

Things to love:

- The myth. Holy wow! I've read numerous myths and I adore them all. But never before have I encountered one that felt so...plausible. The powers were still superhuman, yet the explanation of them within the context of the world was truly incredible. It was very clever and something that I will remember for a long time.

- Sam. He's great! It took me a while to figure out why I cared about him, but then I really did. He's a complex and engaging character.

- The other characters. I actually became quite attached to all of them. The author did a really well-done job of quickly describing the characters. He relied a bit on our cultural understanding of various gods and a bit on our willingness to believe that over the centuries, humans would stop behaving terribly humanely. And I was sold.

- The dialogue. When the gods aren't using "thee" and "thou," they're hilarious. There were several lines that made me chuckle out loud. The dialogue added a lot of charm and humor to the story.

- The descriptions. Everything felt both surreal and concrete at the same time. You could really feel what it would be like to have lived for an eon and how your age might change what parts of the past stood out. The descriptions were vivid and immersive.

Things that were annoying:

- The thee-ing and thou-ing. You could tell that even Zelazny got tired of it eventually. The book starts off very stiff with all that archaic language, but by the end, it has found its more comfortable center. I thought I was going to lose my mind over the auxiliary verbs, but luckily, they did peter out.

- The time jumps. The chapters don't do a great job of helping you figure out where in Sam's narrative you are. I think this could have been tightened up to give more obvious clues so that you don't have to keep switching to previous chapters to figure out how they got from one city to another in a paragraph break.

- The naming. I understand it. It's a myth, and part of the "fun" of oral traditions like most myths is the litany of names. But with all the body hopping, time jumping, and use of various religious frameworks, trying to keep them all straight got a little tedious.

- Still dated. It's not as bad as many, but I did wince a few times at the casual misogyny and the transphobic comments. Please see the content warning for more details.

Really, it's a delightful blend of myth retelling and new world exploration. I'd say you really need to enjoy myths to find this at all interesting. It feels much more fantastical than it does sci-fi, though I did really like how those elements were blended in. It was a great introduction for me to this author.

Zelazny drops you right into the middle of this story.

At first, you might be intimidated by the unknown names and the confusion between tech and magic. However, if you refuse to let these initial difficulties hold you back, you'll be richly repaid.

The book is a masterpiece with its nested layers of reality, paradigm, and belief. It presents a challenging and beautifully baroque world that will captivate your imagination.

Zelazny's writing is intelligent, filled with wild and daring ideas. It makes you think and question everything you thought you knew.

I already had a great love for Zelazny's work, but after reading this book, my love for him has grown even stronger. He has truly outdone himself with this extraordinary piece of literature.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves science fiction, fantasy, or just a great story that will take them on an unforgettable journey.

This had me thinking a great deal about the difference between fantasy and science fiction.

In no small part, since I'm in search of a book with a god as a protagonist for r/Fantasy's reading bingo, I was pondering quite a lot on whether or not this book would qualify. The protagonist, known by various names such as Siddharta, the Buddha, Lord Kukril, the Binder of Demons, and Mahatmasamatran, but prefers to be called Sam. Many people refer to him as a god, and while he doesn't deny it, he also doesn't admit it.

This book is set in a world with pre-Renaissance technology, colonized by refugees from "vanished Urath" generations ago. The original colonists had the technology to grow new bodies and transfer their minds into them as their current bodies aged. Through a straightforward progression, they ended up establishing themselves as the gods of the Hindu pantheon and suppressing technology among the masses to facilitate easier control of their society. Sam is one of them, yet he endeavors to undermine the ruling "gods" and disseminate the advantages of their advanced knowledge and technology to all the people.

This brings me back to my initial thoughts regarding sci-fi versus fantasy, and whether Sam counts as a god for the purpose of a bingo square. And I firmly believe the answer is "yes." Sam, along with Bhrama (aka Madeline), Kali (aka Candi), Shiva, Ghanesha, and all the others, are functionally immortal, possessing knowledge far surpassing that of mortal men, and awe-inspiring powers that they have developed and nurtured over the centuries. In my opinion, whether they achieve this through divine ascension or Clarke-ian sufficiently-advanced science doesn't make much difference.

My only genuine complaint about this book is that I wish I knew more about the Hindu religion. I'm certain there was a significant amount of content that I missed simply because I was unfamiliar with Hinduism and had some difficulty distinguishing everyone whose name began with a K. So, I打算read up a bit and revisit this book at some point in the future.

I particularly want to compliment Zelazny's writing style in this. It felt as if I was reading the Iliad or Gilgamesh, a very old tale translated into modern language. He did an excellent job of capturing that essence.

This review was rather rambling. I realize I need to think about this book for a while to truly process it.

A wonderful science fantasy tale is told in a truly remarkable way.

It combines elements of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity in an exotic story that involves planet colonization, cloning, conflict, and revolt.

The story weaves together these diverse religious and scientific concepts in a seamless and engaging manner, creating a unique and captivating world.

It is a tale that is not only worth reading once but also re-reading to fully appreciate the depth and complexity of its themes and ideas.

The original version is especially recommended as it allows the reader to experience the story in its purest form, without any potential loss or distortion in translation.

Overall, this is a must-read for fans of science fiction and fantasy, as well as those interested in exploring the intersection of religion and science.

The back of the book was not evident in this narrative.

Instead, it was a peculiar, winding, and exquisitely written tale that eluded my comprehension. To be honest, I truly didn't quite grasp what was transpiring, aside from the fact that we have a Buddhist pseudogod resurrecting himself among colonists on a distant planet. The pantheon of gods is furious with the one who is resurrected.

Yes, I'm aware that this might seem rather awful, but it was indeed all I could glean from the story without revealing spoilers. And I must admit that I have no desire to revisit it. There's something about the author's writing style that confounds and frustrates me. I engaged in numerous other activities because I simply didn't want to read this book. That's a bad omen.

Perhaps I'm not the intended audience for this particular work, or maybe I just need to approach it with a different mindset. However, based on my initial experience, I'm not overly eager to give it another chance.

Sometimes things turn out well when one writes without completely thinking about the reader.

Genre. Science fiction.

What it tells us. In the book "The Lord of Light" (original publication: Lord of Light, 1967), we will get to know Mahasamatman, better known as Sam, who has been reincarnated. A long time ago, he lost the war against Heaven and its Hindu gods, despite the help of the demons, but this time he will try to make things end differently. And it is that Sam lives on a distant planet colonized a long time ago by a spaceship of Hindu origin that imposed itself on the original inhabitants, made of energy.

Do you want to know more about this book, without spoilers? Visit:

http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...

From what I have read about Roger Zelazny, it is evident that he had a profound love for mythology. His works not only demonstrate an excellent understanding of various mythologies but also an almost magical ability to seamlessly incorporate them into his stories. This is manifested in nearly all of his writings, where Zelazny not only delved into different mythologies but also infused them with great life and power. He created wonderful mythological worlds of his own, fueled by the brilliance of his imagination.

"Lord of Light," a novel for which he won a Hugo award, is a prime example of this. It tells the story of a future human society where a group of individuals has achieved immortality and a god-like status through the use of technology. These "gods," who were once human, took over a planet inhabited by beings they learned to control. Modeling themselves on Hindu gods, they rule over the people, controlling the reincarnation process and holding ultimate power. However, one of them, Sam, decides to rebel. Sam is a complex and fascinating character, a bitter-sweet hero who never truly accepted his god status.

The novel is not told in a linear fashion, which may be confusing to some readers at first. But as the story progresses, things become clearer. The planet is ruled by a group of individuals who imitate Hindu gods and are worshiped by the inhabitants. Sam, the protagonist, challenges these gods by introducing Buddhism to the people. Nirvana is his punishment, but he is rescued by his friends. The novel is full of theological questions, exploring the relationship between technology and religion in a thought-provoking way. It is a philosophical science fiction novel that is both intelligent and inspired.

The characters in "Lord of Light" are diverse and interesting. There is a love triangle involving Sam, the god of death, and a woman who changes her deity during the course of the story. Sam and the god of death have a complex relationship, having once been enemies but now allies. The non-linear narrative of the novel gives a unique perspective on the characters, making them even more engaging. Overall, "Lord of Light" is highly recommended reading for fans of science fiction and mythology alike. It is a classic that has stood the test of time and continues to be relevant and captivating. I have reread this book numerous times, and it never fails to impress me. It is truly science fiction at its best.

A science fantasy novel emerged in 1967. It is a deliberate blend of different genres, richly infused with the profound elements of Hinduism and Buddhism.

In this captivating narrative, humans abandoned a dying world and found refuge on a habitable planet. There,凭借 their advanced technology, they triumphed over the native life forms and elevated themselves to the status of gods.

What immediately catches the eye is Roger Zelany's exquisite prose. "Lord of Light" is an absolute delight to read.

Admittedly, it might seem a bit perplexing initially. Zelany commences the story just before its conclusion and then retraces the steps back to the beginning. As it was originally intended as a serial, it took me some time to orient myself.

Nonetheless, this novel comes highly recommended to enthusiasts of classic science fiction and fantasy. It offers a unique and immersive experience that is sure to captivate the imagination.