"The Doors of His Face The Lamps of His Mouth" by Roger Zelanzy is a remarkable collection of short stories. © 1971

"The Doors of His Face The Lamps of His Mouth" presents a fishing tale set on Venus. It's a bit puzzling as the narrative switches between third-person and first-person perspectives, and there's a touch of a love story intertwined.

"The Keys to December" explores a future where humans have the ability to create life forms for other planets. However, when the intended planet is destroyed, these beings are left in bubbles on habitable planets. Another planet is terra-formed, but at the expense of its current inhabitants.

In "Devil Cat," cars have self-awareness in the future. Sam Murdock drives his modified vcar, Jenny, to capture a renegade car and its gang.

"A Rose for Ecclesiates" features Gallinger, a self-proclaimed jerk on a mission to Mars. The story is the best in the collection, despite a strange ending and some suspect details about Mars and interplanetary communication and procreation.

"Collector's Fever" and "This Mortal Mountain" tell the tale of a man's conquest of a mountain that reaches into outer space and seems to fight back.

"This Moment of the Storm" is set in the future when humans travel to the stars and need rest stops. One traveler returns to a planet he visited before, but the weather proves to be a challenge.

"The Great Slow Kings" introduces two ancient kings who share ruling on a planet and a robot who serves them. The kings function slowly, and the story contains a memorable quote about the uncertainty of life.

"A Museum Piece" is a strange story of a man who, down on his luck, decides to become a piece of art in a museum and finds love.

"Divine Madness" is an impossible story of love where a man can travel back in time and make a simple adjustment.

"Love is an Imaginary Number" explains an ancient myth, and "The Man Who Loved Faioli" tells the story of a dead man who takes care of dead bodies. Overall, this collection offers a diverse range of stories that will engage and intrigue readers.

Updating an old book that was read ages ago

It is quite interesting to go back and update an old book that one read perhaps a long time ago. As time passes, our perspectives change, new knowledge is gained, and the world around us evolves. Revisiting that old book allows us to see it with fresh eyes and perhaps add new insights or interpretations. It can be a rewarding experience to take the familiar words and give them a new life. We can expand on certain ideas, clarify ambiguous points, or even bring in contemporary examples to make the content more relevant. By updating the old book, we are not only preserving its essence but also making it more accessible and engaging for a new generation of readers. It's like breathing new air into an old classic.

This is the second time that I've attempted to read Zelazny. Previously, I had tried Lord of Light, but had to move it to my DNF shelf due to its excessive 60's mysticism. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this collection, although not all stories were winners.

I noticed a rough inverse relation between the length of a story and the number of stars I rated it. Perhaps I only enjoy him in short doses?

By far, the best story here was Divine Madness, which has now entered my list of all-time favorite short stories. Others that deserve particular mention are The Keys To December and The Monster and the Maiden.

The DNF's were usually caused by either too much hippy-trippy content or a too slow pace.

The Doors of His Face, The Lamps of His Mouth: 3 Stars
The Keys to December: 5
Devil Car: 5
A Rose for Ecclesiastes: DNF
The Monster and the Maiden: 5
Collector's Fever: 5
This Mortal Mountain: 4
This Moment of the Storm: DNF
The Great Slow Kings: 5
A Museum Piece: 5
Divine Madness: 5
Corrida: 5
Love Is an Imaginary Number: 4
The Man Who Loved the Faioli: 3
Lucifer: 4
The Furies: DNF
The Graveyard Heart: DNF

If I average all ratings, it's 3.46. Disregarding the DNF's, it's 4.46. So I'll split the difference and rate it 4 stars. I have another Zelazny collection (The Last Defender of Camelot), but I'll wait a while before I pick it up.

The work of a master is truly remarkable.

Not all of the stories he creates are easy to follow, as they often contain complex themes and ideas.

However, most of them have beautiful moments that can touch the hearts of the readers.

A significant number of his stories have some sort of a romantic sub-plot or main plot.

Strangely enough, those are usually his best ones.

The romance adds an extra layer of depth and emotion to the story, making it more engaging and captivating.

It allows the readers to connect with the characters on a deeper level and experience the joys and sorrows of love along with them.

Whether it is a forbidden love, a love that overcomes all obstacles, or a love that is lost and found again, the romantic elements in his stories always manage to leave a lasting impression.

They are a testament to the master's ability to create complex and multi-dimensional characters and stories that can stand the test of time.

Great short stories by a master of the field. This collection presents a remarkable array of literary gems crafted by a true virtuoso. Each story is a miniature masterpiece, filled with vivid characters, engaging plots, and profound themes. The author's skill in creating a world within a few pages is truly astonishing. Whether it's a tale of love and loss, a mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat, or a thought-provoking exploration of human nature, these short stories have something for everyone. The masterful use of language, the seamless pacing, and the unexpected twists and turns make these stories a joy to read. They will transport you to different times and places, and leave you with a lasting impression. If you're a fan of great literature, this collection of short stories is a must-read.

In every collection of stories - some tales seem stronger/more sympathetic than others.

My favorites were the humorous stories about the goblin and the virgin and the great ancient (wise)kings, for whom human civilizations pass in the blink of an eye.

The story about the postman from Mars was also okay - with a transparent plot, but an interesting main character, who surprisingly didn't seem to be my enemy in his arrogance.

The title story of the collection was for me so incredibly pointless that I almost put it aside without reading, and the story about the forest spirits and the cars seemed just as silly. And "Corrida" - incomprehensible.

The story about the artist who starts making art was at least an interesting concept, and the unexpected ending with the deus ex machina fit in there quite well.

The remaining stories were for me average, although I liked how precisely Zelazny predicted the drones in advance and the ethical questions raised on the cold planet.

Zelazny is an author who, for me, can do no wrong. His works have always been a source of great joy and inspiration. His prose is not only poignant but also sometimes humorous and deeply serious, always capable of moving the reader to the core. It seems to me that he offers a unique perspective on human nature and the human condition, much like what one might find in classic and modern literature.

Zelazny had a great love for mythologies, symbology, and stories, and he often retold elements from them in his own unique way. His writing is characterized by beautiful prose and some of the most startlingly speculative stories and novels.

This book is one that I picked up simply because of the author. I didn't even check if I had all the stories or not. Once again, I am confronted by the fact that there are too many stories in the collection to review them in detail.

One of the stories, "The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth," is a novelette set on future Venus. Zelazny's Venus is Earth-like, with breathable air, water-filled oceans, and native fauna. The protagonist is hired as a "Baitman" to catch a fictional creature called "Ikky." It's a marvelous adventure yarn that is as poignant as any of Zelazny's work.

Another story, "The Keys to December," is a fascinating tale of a future where prospective parents indenture their unborn children to a corporation. The child in this story was modified for an ice planet that ceased to exist before he could get there. The protagonist and a group of similarly afflicted people buy a planet to turn it into an ice planet, raising deep moral questions about what will happen to the flora and fauna.

"Devil Car" is a story about a man bent on vengeance who commissions a designer AI car to help him end a renegade devil car that killed his brother. Although the characters are mostly cars, the story weaves in deeply humanistic questions and philosophies.

"A Rose for Ecclesiastes" is a poignant story of a translator brought in to learn the language of a dying Martian race. The character of Gallager is not ordinary, with incredible talents but also full of emotional weakness, making him very relatable.

"The Monster and the Maiden" is a short and quirky story that reverses elements of fairy tales and mythologies. "Collectors Fever" is a hilarious story involving a human collector and an alien intelligent stone.

"This Mortal Mountain" is about a galactic superstar of mountain climbing who is persuaded to climb the most immense mountain imaginable. The descriptions of the climb and the relationship to the mountain are intoxicating.

"The Moment of the Storm" is set on an alien planet and explores the theme of social isolation. "The Great Slow Kings" hypothesizes a very slow race and has some insightful ideas about how alien a real alien might be.

"A Museum Piece" is a bizarre and fascinating story about a man who decides to pretend to be a sculpture in a museum. "Devine Madness" is a wonderful and desperate story about a man who lives backwards during states of fugue.

"Corrida" is an exceptionally odd story about human experience and dissociation from reality. "Love is an Imaginary Number" is a reality twister where the protagonist realizes he has been fooled into accepting a false reality.

"The Man Who Loved the Faioli" combines elements of science fiction and fantasy in a unique way. "Lucifer" is a post-apocalyptic story that is detailed and desperate.

"The Furies" is a truly odd and quirky story about three antiheros hunting down a space pirate. "The Graveyard Heart" is a future scenario where a party has been happening forever and the protagonist falls in love with a member of the set.

In conclusion, Zelazny's work is a treasure trove of unique and thought-provoking stories that continue to captivate readers.

Nice collection of short stories. Zelazny has a style that I don't really mesh with, but there were standouts.

Favourites:

Devil Car - This story had an interesting premise and kept me engaged from start to finish. The idea of a car with a mind of its own was quite unique and the author did a great job of building tension and creating a sense of mystery.

Collector's Fever - I really enjoyed this one as well. It explored the theme of obsession in a very interesting way. The main character's desire to collect rare items was taken to the extreme, and it was fascinating to see how it affected his life and relationships.

This Mortal Mountain - This story was a bit more of a slow burner, but it was well worth the wait. The setting was beautifully described, and the characters were complex and well-developed. The ending was also quite unexpected and left me thinking long after I finished reading.

The Great Slow Kings - This was another standout story. The concept of a race between beings that move at an extremely slow pace was both humorous and thought-provoking. The author's use of language and imagery was excellent, and it really brought the story to life.

I can clearly understand why Zelazny is an award-winning author.

It is because he truly knows the art of making a plot extremely interesting. His writing style has the power to captivate readers from the very beginning and keep them engaged until the very end.

He has a unique ability to create complex and multi-layered storylines that are filled with unexpected twists and turns.

Zelazny's plots are not only exciting but also thought-provoking, making readers think deeply about the themes and ideas presented in his works.

Whether it's a science fiction novel or a fantasy adventure, Zelazny always manages to bring his stories to life in a vivid and engaging way.

His talent for plot construction is one of the main reasons why he has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career.

It is no wonder that he is considered one of the greatest authors of our time.

I was already familiar with Zelazny through his sagas and novels, and I am constantly amazed by his talent, his inventiveness, and the accuracy of his writing and characterization.

His works are like a magical world that draws you in and makes you reluctant to leave. Each character is vividly portrayed, with their own unique personalities and motives.

The plots are full of twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

This collection is truly magnificent. It showcases Zelazny's best works and allows readers to fully appreciate his genius.

Whether you are a fan of science fiction, fantasy, or just good literature, this collection is definitely worth reading.

It will transport you to a world of imagination and adventure, and leave you with a lasting impression.

A very nice collection of short stories by Mr. Zelanzy.

\\tIn 'The Doors of His Face The Lamps of His Mouth', it's a fishing tale set on Venus. The narrative is a bit confusing as the perspective shifts between third person and the characters themselves. There's also a touch of a love story.

\\t'Humans have developed the ability to create life forms for other planets in 'The Keys to December'. However, the planet they were meant for is destroyed, leaving them in bubbles on habitable planets. Another planet is terra-formed, but at the expense of its current inhabitants.

\\tIn 'Devil Cat', cars have self-awareness in the future. Sam Murdock is driving his souped-up vcar, Jenny, to capture a renegade car and its gang.

\\t'A Rose for Ecclesiates' features Gallinger, a jerk on a mission to Mars. The story is the best in the collection, though the ending is weird and the details are suspect. Mars isn't habitable without aid, and interplanetary procreation and communication seem unlikely.

\\t'Collector's Fever' is not described in detail.

\\tIn 'This Mortal Mountain', a man conquers a mountain with help. The mountain is so tall it reaches into outer space and seems to fight them as they climb.

\\t'In the future, man will travel to the stars and need rest stops in 'This Moment of the Storm'. One traveler has returned to a planet he visited before. The planet is nice, but the weather is a challenge.

\\t'The Great Slow Kings' tells of two ancient kings who share ruling a planet with the help of a robot. They function slowly, and the best quote in the book is: “'Concerning organic life the only statement which can be made with certainty is that life is uncertain.'”

\\t'A Museum Piece' is a weird story of a man who becomes a piece of art in a museum and finds love.

\\t'Divine Madness' is an impossible story of love where a man can go back in time and make an adjustment.

\\t'Love is an Imaginary Number' explains an ancient myth.

\\t'The Man Who Loved Faioli' is a strange story of a dead man who takes care of dead bodies.

\\tOverall, this collection offers a diverse range of stories with unique concepts and interesting characters.

I liked almost all the short stories, except the first one, which gives the name to the collection.

It was one of my first contacts with the author and I really liked his style.

I am curious to see how he develops a novel.

The short stories in this collection offer a diverse range of themes and characters.

Each one is unique and engaging in its own way.

The author has a talent for creating vivid settings and making the reader feel as if they are part of the story.

I found myself completely immersed in each tale, eager to see what would happen next.

Although I didn't care for the first story as much as the others, it still had its own merits.

It set the stage for the rest of the collection and introduced some of the recurring themes and motifs.

Overall, I would highly recommend this collection of short stories to anyone who enjoys good literature.

It is a great introduction to the author's work and a wonderful read in its own right.