This collection encompasses Zelazny's earliest tales.

Consequently, it houses some truly excellent, some merely adequate, and some rather poor stories. Zelazny's greatest forte lies in devising story concepts. However, a significant shortcoming is his portrayal of female characters, and at times, he fails to do justice to his own concepts.

"The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth" was seemingly intended by Zelazny to be named "The Leviathan of Venus," a far more fitting title. It pertains to an endeavor to capture a colossal sea creature residing in the sea of a fictional Venus. It showcases one of Zelazny's better-developed female characters, a beautifully imagined world, and a thrilling final sequence.

Other notable highlights include "A Rose For Ecclesiastes," the narrative of a poet who is part of a first-contact mission to an alien planet. It shuns action in favor of drama. Although all the characters except the main one fall short, it cleverly employs Ecclesiastes and is nearly a literary piece.

"The Keys to December," "This Mortal Mountain," "This Moment of the Storm," and especially "The Man Who Loved the Faioli," despite having some serious flaws, are good stories.

"Devil Car" is a decent action story involving combat cars with advanced AI. "Divine Madness" is an earnest attempt to relate a bullfight from the perspective of the bull. But a half dozen of these stories, such as "A Museum Piece" and "The Monster and the Maiden," are complete disappointments.

Overall, this collection offers a mixed bag of Zelazny's early works, with both strengths and weaknesses on display.

3.5 stars.

I have to admit that I didn't find the story to be all that compelling. It just didn't have that certain something that would have made me completely hooked from start to finish. However, there was one aspect that really stood out and kept me engaged throughout. That was Zelazny's vivid prose and his descriptions of the fathomless seas of Venus.

The way he painted the picture of those vast and mysterious waters was truly remarkable. I could almost imagine myself standing on the shore, looking out at the无尽的 ocean, feeling a sense of awe and wonder. His words brought the setting to life in a way that few authors can manage.

Despite the shortcomings of the story itself, Zelazny's writing talent was enough to make this a worthwhile read. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who appreciates beautiful prose and vivid descriptions.

So the copy of the book I read was an audiobook recorded for the Library of Congress's Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Apparently, that's not a version Goodreads has records of, and I can't find anything substantial about the recording online. The narrator was Eric Zwemer, and he did an amazing job with the material. The recording was done in January of 1980. Zwemer's voice has a delightful timbre and rhythm. It is both excellently suited to Zelazny's writing style and curiously absent from the field of modern narrators. His voice brings the stories to life in a unique way, making the listening experience truly enjoyable.

The stories themselves (this is a collection of 15 stories, rather than a single piece of prose) are all delightful. They range from silly though experiment pieces to fleshed-out longer pieces. Of those stories included here, A Rose for Ecclesiastes is probably best well known. However, I was partial to Devil Car. One reviewer called it a "post-apocalyptic answer to Christine", but I prefer to think of it as a direct ancestor of KITT and Knight Rider. It has an exciting and engaging plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Another story I liked was A Museum Piece. It has a unique concept and a well-developed narrative that makes it a standout in the collection.

This spectacular collection of short stories showcases Roger Zelazny at his unsurpassed best. He is a master who seamlessly combines the roles of humorist, tragedian, and wry observer of the human (and sometimes alien) condition.

The book is filled to the gunwales with short-fiction brilliance. Among them, I found two stories that truly stand out and are worthy of being reread again and again: “A Rose for Ecclesiastes” and “The Keys to December.” Both are sublime and enthralling, with endings that evoke a feeling of bittersweet poignancy and a mournful, melancholy sensation. This leads to a burning question: what is the meaning of sentience, of consciousness, of love and of loss and of grief, in an indifferent universe?

Almost every story in this collection touches upon this sense of loss, tragedy, urgency, and adventure. However, they are always leavened by a generous dose of humor, which both pervades and defines life. Zelazny's stories not only entertain but also make us reflect on the profound aspects of our existence.

Here is the rewritten and expanded article:

Kidney beans are not only delicious but also highly nutritious. They are a great source of protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals. The rich and distinct flavor of kidney beans makes them a popular ingredient in many cuisines around the world.

Whether they are used in soups, stews, salads, or as a side dish, kidney beans add a unique and satisfying taste. Their firm texture holds up well during cooking, allowing them to maintain their shape and integrity.

In addition to their taste and nutritional value, kidney beans also offer several health benefits. They can help improve digestion, lower cholesterol levels, and regulate blood sugar. So, the next time you are looking for a delicious and healthy addition to your meal, consider reaching for some kidney beans.

It's a truly challenging book to review. This is because within its pages, there are an abundance of diverse stories. Some of these stories were truly excellent, captivating the reader's attention from start to finish. However, the majority of the stories were not that good. They lacked the necessary elements to engage the reader fully. And then there were some stories that were really bad. They seemed to be poorly written and uninteresting. As a result, I found it extremely difficult to finish this book. I had to force myself to keep reading at times. It's a shame because there was potential for this book to be a great collection of stories, but unfortunately, it fell short in many ways.

Well... This was some journey...

This is a very nice set of melancholic short stories. The entire collection prompts inquiries regarding humanity, human ambition, the length of love, the fire of ambition, and so on. I must confess that among my favorites are the truly short ones such as Corrida, Collector's Fever, and Divine Madness.

I would highly recommend this book to short story enthusiasts, followers of Zelazny, and as an inspiring collection of stories if writing is your passion and you desire to witness the diverse perspectives of madness presented through the different styles of each story.

It can be a bit overwhelming when you attempt to tackle this book all at once, so it is advisable to take it one story at a time. This way, you can fully immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere and themes of each individual tale, and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the overall collection.

There are some really good stories presented in here.

However, a significant portion of it simply gives the impression that it is much like a great many throwback "great man" science fiction stories do.

It seems as if they follow a certain pattern or formula that has been used before.

Perhaps it's the way the characters are developed or the plotlines that unfold.

While there may be some elements of creativity and innovation, overall, it doesn't quite break free from the mold of those classic "great man" science fiction tales.

It would be interesting to see if there could be a fresh approach or a new perspective added to these types of stories to make them more engaging and unique.

Maybe a different setting or a more diverse cast of characters could bring a new life to the genre.

Only time will tell if this can be achieved and if these stories will continue to capture the imagination of readers.

This is a rather long compilation.

It means that there were several lackluster stories interspersed with a few really excellent ones.

Regrettably, the good ones that I relished were not overly memorable.

Now that I have completed the book, I don't recall them.

It is worth a read, but it is not at the top of the reading list.

Perhaps if the compilation had been more tightly edited, the standout stories would have had a greater impact.

As it is, the overall experience was somewhat diluted by the presence of the less engaging tales.

Nevertheless, there were still some闪光点 that made it an okay read.

But for those seeking a truly outstanding literary experience, this compilation may not quite hit the mark.

It could be a good choice for a casual read, but not for those with high expectations.

A nice mix of sci-fi short stories awaits the reader. There are only a couple of very short ones, but they still manage to pack a punch. Most of the stories have a clear ending, which is a feature that I truly appreciate in short stories. It gives a sense of closure and satisfaction. However, a couple of the stories leave the outcome completely open to interpretation, which can be both frustrating and exciting at the same time.

The concept of suspended animation makes an appearance in several different stories. In particular, the idea that people would become increasingly disconnected from society as they travel further ahead in time is explored. This leads to a state of unhappiness that outweighs any realized gains. While this may be a common theme for those who read more sci-fi, it is a new and interesting theory for me. It makes me wonder about the potential consequences of technological advancements and our relationship with society. Overall, these short stories offer a thought-provoking and entertaining read for fans of the sci-fi genre.

I decided to give this collection a try after reading, and liking, Lord of Light.

In the short stories here, Zelazny showcases a brash and belligerent style. He has a preference for smug, egocentric, cigarette-smoke blowing narrators. His language, although colorful and poetic, is often difficult to follow. Most of the time, I found myself reading and rereading parts to understand what was going on.

Well, not all stories have the same level of "density". However, most of them are quite high in this regard. At times, it was infuriating, but at other times, it was pretty intense. Zelazny seems to care more about creating vivid imagery than about strict adherence to science. Each of his stories makes you stop and think. His imagination is truly brilliant as he envisions and contemplates the possible futures that await mankind.

This collection is a must-read for any sci-fi fan. It offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of various themes and ideas within the genre.

I had no idea what I was about to discover when I embarked on this literary journey by starting this book. Little did I know that it would turn out to be such an astonishing surprise.

This book is truly AMAZING. Every single page, every word, every plot twist had me completely engrossed. I found myself unable to put it down, eagerly devouring each chapter. It is a work that I wholeheartedly loved from beginning to end.

As I was reading, it did remind me of Philip Dick to some extent. However, I quickly realized that it would be unjust to simply compare the two. Each author has their own unique and personal magic touch. They both bring something entirely different and wonderful to the table, and this book is no exception. It has its own charm, its own allure, and it is a must-read for anyone who loves great literature.