Continuing my (re-)reading of the Zelazny oeuvre, I find myself delving into his first collection of short fiction. Interestingly, it reprints two stories, namely the title story and "A Rose for Ecclesiastes", which were previously included in Four For Tomorrow. My only gripe is that Zelazny didn't provide any introductions to the stories, as he often did in later collections. I truly value the insights he offers into his writing process. The stories within this collection span a wide gamut. From straightforward fantasy to hard science fiction, from light-hearted humor to profound pathos, and from brief 2-page tales to more substantial 40-page novelettes. "The Monster and the Maiden" is a concise 2-page story with a humorous twist that catches the reader off guard. "Collector's Fever", at four pages, follows a similar pattern but also contains a more serious message or warning for the more discerning reader. "This Mortal Mountain" is one of my absolute favorite tales in the collection. It revolves around a mountain climber who has conquered all the highest mountains in the known galaxy until a 40-mile high mountain is discovered on a distant planet, where the low gravity contributes to its enormous size. Accompanied by his team, he embarks on the arduous task of climbing it, an endeavor that requires months of meticulous preparation and planning, as well as weeks of actual climbing. It's an adventure story that begins as science fiction, seamlessly transitions into fantasy, and ultimately winds up firmly back in the sci-fi realm. There are a total of 15 stories in the book, and the final 7 are all quite short. However, regardless of the length, Zelazny manages to create strange and captivating worlds, interesting and complex characters, and intriguing and thought-provoking situations, all beautifully wrapped up in his typical poetic prose. Moreover, there's a significant amount of humor here, which is more than one typically finds in Zelazny's novels. I have a deep love for both Zelazny and short stories, so it's no surprise that this collection is one of my all-time favorites.

Science fiction stories are not just for killing time.

They have the power to transport us to other worlds, explore the limits of our imagination, and make us think about the future.

These stories often deal with themes such as space travel, artificial intelligence, and the impact of technology on society.

They can inspire us to dream big and imagine new possibilities for our own lives and for the world around us.

Whether we are reading a classic science fiction novel or a short story, we are engaging with a genre that has the potential to change our perspective and expand our understanding of the universe.

So, the next time you pick up a science fiction story, remember that it is not just entertainment - it is a gateway to a whole new world of ideas and possibilities.

If I had taken five more days, I would have read this book in exactly two years!

I finished the book because I have a lot of difficulty putting down short story books. I always think that the next story will be better... The truth is that it rarely is.

If I'm hating all the stories, or most of them, up to this point, it's hardly likely that the next story will be good enough to make the reading worthwhile.

Let this be a lesson to me.

This experience has taught me that sometimes, it's better to cut my losses and move on rather than persevere through a book that isn't really engaging me.

I should trust my instincts more when it comes to reading and not feel obligated to finish every book I start.

Maybe in the future, I'll be more selective about the books I choose to read and save myself from wasting time on ones that don't meet my expectations.

Overall, it's been a valuable learning experience and I'll keep it in mind as I continue my reading journey.

All of these pieces are copyright between 1963 and '67 inclusive. This represents a rather small and extremely early segment of Zelazny's work.

I am awarding the collection 5 stars for fulfilling what it aims to do, not because every piece is among his very best. In fact, they clearly are not. However, the two stories with the most renowned titles, namely, the collection-title story and "A Rose for Ecclesiastes", have endured in my half-century-old memories.

By the way, I have come to realize that the title of "The Doors..." significantly contributes, at least for me, to understanding the protagonist's relationship with the beast. Otherwise, I might not have appreciated it as much, and this would have considerably lessened the impact of the story.

The bottom line is that I am glad I persevered through this collection as it provided me with a new perspective. It may not be the best source for pure enjoyment, but it has its merits.

I last looked at this collection 35 years ago.

Even after such a long time, I can still remember at least half of them.

This leads me to conclude that it must be really quite good.

I think among all the stories, I liked the love stories the most.

For example, in "A Rose for Ecclesiastes", the Earth poet visits the doomed Martian society and falls in love with their priestess.

The description of this interplanetary romance is both touching and thought-provoking.

Another remarkable story is "The Man Who Loved The Faioli".

In this, Zelazny accomplishes the near-impossible feat of creating a moving romance between a vampire and a cyborg.

Truly, I'm not being ironic here.

He was indeed one of the brightest SF talents around during the early to mid-60s.

His works were filled with unique concepts and engaging narratives that left a lasting impression on readers.

Even after all these years, his stories still have the power to captivate and charm.

It's a testament to his great talent and creativity.

A collection of fifteen of Zelazny's short stories is presented here. It encompasses many of his finest works. The title story delves into the themes of obsession, redemption, and love set on Venus.

The Keys to December tells a tale of determination, loss, and the price one must pay for creating a world of one's own.

A Rose for Ecclesiastes showcases a man of language who saves an entire race but loses his own heart.

Collector's Fever serves as a humorous warning, emphasizing that one should be cautious about what one collects.

And This Moment of the Storm reveals just how far a man might go to flee from his pain.

All the stories in this collection vividly display Zelazny's remarkable use of language, his skill in structuring a story, and the nimble nature of his mind and wit. It is truly a worthwhile read for anyone who has a passion for reading.

**Title: The Importance of Reading**

Reading is an essential activity that offers numerous benefits. It allows us to expand our knowledge, improve our vocabulary, and enhance our cognitive abilities.

When we read, we are exposed to different ideas, cultures, and perspectives, which broadens our understanding of the world. It also helps us to develop empathy and understand the feelings and experiences of others.

Moreover, reading is a great way to relax and unwind. It can transport us to different places and times, and allow us to escape from the stress and pressures of daily life.

In addition, reading can improve our communication skills. By reading regularly, we learn how to express ourselves more clearly and effectively, both in writing and in speech.

In conclusion, reading is a valuable activity that should be encouraged and cultivated from an early age. It is a source of knowledge, entertainment, and personal growth, and can have a positive impact on our lives in many ways.

"The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth" is a novelette that was published in 1965. It is a lively and engaging story set in a retro-Venusian context. The story's unique premise and vivid descriptions make it a standout among Zelazny's works. In 1966, it won the prestigious Nebula award, further cementing its place in science fiction history.

For those interested in reading this captivating story, a free copy is available online. You can access it at the following link: https://readerslibrary.org/wp-content....

This novelette has received a rating of 4+ stars and is highly recommended for reading. It is truly one of Zelazny's better shorts. I myself plan to reread it as it has been a few years since I last delved into its pages. The story's enduring popularity and critical acclaim are a testament to its quality and the talent of its author.

My love for Zelazny began with the "Amber" series, and after experiencing his flowing writing style and the discovery of multi-faceted worlds, I have enjoyed his stories in both Estonian and English.

This anthology contains 15 longer and shorter stories that date back to the sixties of the previous century. Although it includes some somewhat outdated details, it does not prevent one from enjoying the fantastic worlds described in the given volume.

Most of the longer stories in this anthology, with a few exceptions, are able to quickly draw the reader into the story, maintaining interest and the pace of the plot until the end of the stories. At the same time, the shorter tales often remain too abstract for my taste.

More detailed information about the stories can be found in the literary magazine "Reaktor" - https://www.ulmeajakiri.ee/?raamatarv...

A nice collection of various ideas

which I enjoyed quite a bit.

If anything, it gives an idea of the scope of Zelazny's intellect and literary prowess.

He is able to tackle different themes with the same respect and elegance,

ranging from the mundane to the most esoteric.

It's truly remarkable to see how he can take ordinary concepts and turn them into something extraordinary.

His writing is like a magical journey that takes the reader through different worlds and experiences.

Each story is unique and engaging,

leaving the reader with a sense of wonder and admiration.

This collection is a must-read for anyone who loves good literature and wants to explore the depths of the human imagination.

It's a testament to Zelazny's talent and creativity,

and I can't wait to read more of his work.

There are some stories that I like less than others. However, the ones that I loved more than compensated for those. It is truly a testament to how well-conceived and well-written these stories are. Despite being obvious false representations of what is now present day, they don't feel dated at all.

One thing to note is that there are a LOT of typos in this edition. While not any that prevent understanding, the amount is very noticeable nonetheless. Otherwise, the book is nicely laid out.

The highlights include "The Keys To December", where a race of Catform people, genetically modified to work for a mining corporation on a planet that was unexpectedly destroyed, seek to modify a new planet so that they can live freely. It turns out that the changes they make in the planet cause one of the native races to become intelligent and look upon the cat-people as their gods.

"Devil Car" is a tale of sentient cars, like a hardcore version of that Pixar movie. My favorite touch is that the wild Devil Car keeps a rotation of human corpses in the driver seat to pass himself off as a normal decent car.

"A Rose For Ecclesiastes" is perhaps his best known story and fully worth the hype.

"This Mortal Mountain" is a spectacular adventure story about mountain climbing, with the special distinction of a 40 mile high extraterrestrial mountain and a ghost story in the mix too.

"This Moment of the Storm" is about a torrential tropical storm on a smaller colonized planet (pseudo Caribbean), and a space-traveling cop who witnesses all the resulting destruction and madness.

"A Museum Piece" is actually kind of funny, like the cool version of "Night At The Museum" (i.e. with 100% less Ben Stiller and 100% more aliens).

Rose for Ecclesiastes is truly the standout in this collection.

It is closely followed by This Mortal Mountain, which also has its own unique charm.

The Keys to December is great as it offers that otherworldly science fiction feel that I have always craved from these kinds of collections.

However, I can't say that I particularly enjoyed the one or two page stories.

They seemed a bit too brief to fully develop and engage me.

Also, Devil Car didn't quite hit the mark for me either.

Maybe it was the style or the concept that didn't resonate with my personal tastes.

But overall, despite these few exceptions, the collection has many亮点 that make it worth exploring.