The title story gives the game away when our hero, played by Humphrey Bogart, explains that the publicity company for his upcoming expedition wants footage of him walking up to the garage “like in a 20th-century movie”. A former millionaire playboy now reduced to a waterfront drifter after the failure of his attempt to catch the largest fish in existence, he has been hired by actress Jean Luharich, to whom he was briefly married, to act as “baitman” on the vast boat he once owned and is still captained by his friend Mike. The story has some resemblance to mid-20th century films, despite details like the time (a couple of hundred years in the future) and the place (Venus). Zelazny does well with the twin plot lines of Jean and Carl’s courtship and Carl’s struggle with the awe of the gigantic monster they’re trying to catch. However, the story takes a downhill turn when Mike reveals too early that Jean set up the whole thing because she’s still in love with Carl, leading to a rushed and unsatisfactory climax. And now that all the actors are dead, we’ll never see the movie version.

“Waiting for December” is interesting but implausible. The terraforming process causes a native species to evolve intelligence in just a few centuries, even as the climate and atmosphere become hostile to them. While the atmosphere and moral quandary are good, Zelazny doesn’t explain how this accelerated evolution could occur.

“Devil Car” tries to contrast medieval expressions with AI cars but lacks enough setting to make much of it, and offers nothing new to the idea of robotic revolts.

“A Rose for Ecclesiastes” is perhaps the best story in the collection. The hero is atypical for Zelazny as he’s really good at linguistics and poetry and knows it, making him an ass. This allows for things that aren’t usually possible in Zelazny’s stories and a sad ending without a forced last-minute twist. The story should probably be set in an undiscovered valley on Earth, but moving it to Mars makes sense and shows the inheritance of science fiction from the adventure novel. However, having human indigenous inhabitants on Mars seems a bit pointless.

“The Monster and the Maiden” asks what if the knight is the monster, not the dragon. While it may have been original at the time, it’s been done better and in more depth since.

“Collector’s Fever” is more of an extended joke that’s only moderately amusing, though the sentient rocks that reproduce through atomic explosions are memorable.

“This Mortal Mountain” is a climbing story that initially concerns with its lack of technical details. However, as the story progresses, the challenges faced by the climbers seem insufficiently addressed, and the hero’s motivation to climb the mountain just because it’s there isn’t very interesting. The revelation at the end that the mountain is hollow and people used to fly up to the top from the inside is funny but geologically suspect.

“This Moment of the Storm” has an interesting idea about the main character being thrown out of time, but too much of it is taken up with unoriginal musings on humanity. The ending is blatantly tearjerking for no good reason, and the whole thing could have taken place on Earth. More exploration of the pluses and minuses of interstellar travel would have been better.

“The Great Slow Kings” is an extended joke that isn’t very funny.

“A Museum Piece” is also an extended joke but is actually quite funny, though a bit mannered.

“Divine Madness” is a simple story that packs a punch once you figure out what’s going on.

“Corrida” is an anti-bullfighting polemic that needs more development to amount to much.

“Love is an Imaginary Number” is notable for its opening that was likely cannibalized for “Nine Princes in Amber”. The rest of the story is okay, but not overly impressive compared to Diana Wynne Jones’s versions of Loki and Prometheus.

“The Man Who Loved the Faioli” has too many sexist remarks for a short story.

“Lucifer” is an excellent, if short, last-man-on-earth story that provides a strong ending to a collection that is a mixed bag.

This is the very first work of Zelazny's that I have had the pleasure of reading. To be honest, I wasn't overly impressed by the inventiveness of the plots. It wasn't that they were bad, but they didn't really stand out to me in that regard.

However, what truly stuck with me was the astonishing, highly poetic, sometimes almost biblical or prophetic language and imagery that Zelazny employed. It was as if he was painting vivid pictures in my mind with his words.

His use of language was so masterful that it made me realize that this is a writer in the truest sense of the word. He has the ability to transport the reader to another world, to make them feel and experience things in a way that few other writers can.

I can't wait to explore more of his works and see what other literary treasures he has in store for us.

My second Zelazny anthology left me still highly impressed.

The style, though perhaps a bit dated, leans heavily on first person exposition or dialogue exposition, smoothly transitioning from one plot point to the next. What makes it even more charming is the outlandish nature of his ideas.

In "The Keys to December," a race of terraforming ocelots plots genocide of horned natives. In "The Great Slow Kings," cosmological gods spend months in conversation about how to best raise a species of worshippers, a difficult task as the worshippers keep dying out before the gods can finish a chat. In "Divine Madness," a man is trapped in time going backwards, suffering hangovers for drinks he will have had, unable to change his destiny as everything he'll do is already in the past.

Many of the stories have a cheeky essence, with "Devil Car" being a prime example. It's a pulpy action tale where the hero's sentient automobile has a female personality and he talks down to it in a way that almost parodies the portrayal of women's roles on similar TV shows of the era. The duo fears the evil "GM Empire," and we're meant to feel nervous when a pair of presumably evil Lincolns arrive. However, I can't help but find it humorous, especially when compared to other stories in the collection like "A Rose for Ecclesiastes."

"A Rose for Ecclesiastes" is a story about experiencing comparative religion. It follows the son of a preacher who rejects his father's faith, joins the Peace Corps, and is exposed to Buddhism and Sikhism. He is part of the group that exposes humanity's culture to Martians, who reject them due to their own religion. The story is critical yet earnest in its exploration. Even it has some goofy moments, like when the protagonist introduces his girlfriend to cigarettes for the first time and her response is, "Is it sacred?"

Characterizing Zelazny is tough as there are clear elements of both the clown and the scholar in his work. His breadth of reference is always a bit stilted but never throws him off. Whether it's whiny grandkid tropes or ancient theology references, it all seems the same to the narrators of these stories, showing an unflappable competence that's hard to achieve. Consider this thought from "The Moment of the Storm": "People never pay attention to weather reports; this, I believe, is a constant factor in man's psychological makeup, stemming perhaps from an ancient tribal distrust of the shaman. You want them to be wrong. If they're right, then they're somehow superior, and this is even more uncomfortable than getting wet."

My favorite part of the anthology was that I could never predict which way he'd go. Would the next story be funny? Funny with a heartbroken core? An outright tragedy? Some stories flipped or zigzagged, while others were straightforward in their cheesiness or sincerity, making the collection completely dynamic. It's a wonderful way to showcase the fruits of such a great imagination.

I've somehow managed to read very little of this highly regarded author's work. After "TDoHFtLoHMaOS", I will be looking to rectify this.

Tales told for the love of telling tales. There is a wide variation in subject matters and styles. The lengths range from throw-away five-minute jobs to novellas. There's the melancholy (and the outright sad), the love story (unrequited, the happier sort, the lost), the adventure (hunts, climbs, floods), and the comedic (where the joke is told, explored, but isn't allowed to wear thin). And there's a great deal of crossover too.

Science isn't Zelazny's main drive. The how of a concept is nowhere near as important as its effect. Moreover, he wastes no time in his telling. He says what he needs to say and gets out. This makes this collection, for all its variations, a relatively lean and quick read with no padding to sag beneath. And, even after not too far short of fifty years, it is certainly a very enjoyable one. It's a collection that showcases Zelazny's versatility and his ability to engage readers with a diverse range of stories. Whether you're in the mood for a heartwarming love story, an exciting adventure, or a lighthearted comedy, there's something for everyone in this collection.

Beautiful prose,

Thought-provoking and emotion-evoking stories,

Simple as they may seem,

Have the power to touch our hearts and souls.

They can transport us to different worlds,

Make us feel a range of emotions,

And inspire us to think deeply about life.

Whether it's a short poem or a long narrative,

Good writing has the ability to connect with us on a profound level.

It can make us laugh, cry, or simply reflect on the beauty and complexity of the human experience.

So, the next time you pick up a book or read an article,

Open your mind and heart to the words on the page,

And let the beauty of the prose and the stories it tells take you on a journey of discovery.

I had managed to get a little over halfway through this truly awesome collection of stories (up to Divine Madness) when the overdue notices began to assail me. It took me a while to make my way through the first story as I wasn't really acquainted with Zelazny's style. However, by the time I reached A Rose For Ecclesiastes, I was completely engrossed.

Zeleazny's writing is nothing short of spectacular. I could enumerate all the synonyms for 'spectacular', but rather than that, I will simply urge you to read his descriptions of the storm, both as it brews and as it unfolds, in This Moment Of The Storm. And on occasion, it's quite uproariously funny: Collector's Fever and The Great Slow Kings especially.

These are fascinating, thought-provoking tales of the future, of humankind's destiny, of personal struggle, and of deebling rocks. I would love to do a story-by-story review, but I will have to wait until I obtain a copy. In any case, it is intensely recommended.

I thought this short story collection was just okay.

There were approximately 3 truly excellent stories within it.

The remainder were either great premises undermined by weak and uninteresting characters, or interesting characters who didn't really do much.

I entered with the expectation that there would be some sign that he was a unique writer from the "new wave" era of science fiction. However, his style actually reminded me of the golden age of sf.

In some parts, the dialogue was rather stiff, and in other scenes, there was an excessive amount of exposition.

Overall, while there were a few亮点, the collection didn't quite live up to my initial hopes.

It had its moments, but it also had its flaws, and it didn't manage to fully distinguish itself as a must-read collection.

Perhaps with more polish and a bit more experimentation, the author could have created a more engaging and memorable body of work.

As it stands, it's an average collection that may appeal to some readers, but it's not likely to become a classic of the genre.

Wonderful writing

It has the power to transport us to different worlds, evoke a wide range of emotions, and make us see the world from new perspectives. The way words are crafted, the flow of sentences, and the use of vivid descriptions can truly bring a story to life.

Great characters

They are the heart and soul of any story. Well-developed characters with unique personalities, motives, and flaws draw us in and make us care about their fates. We become invested in their journeys, root for their successes, and feel their pain when they face challenges.

Great short stories

Despite their brevity, they have the ability to pack a powerful punch. They can tell a complete and engaging story in a short amount of time, leaving a lasting impression on the reader. A great short story can make us laugh, cry, think, and even change our way of thinking. In conclusion, wonderful writing, great characters, and great short stories are all essential elements of a truly captivating literary experience.

I truly had a great liking for this collection.

However, the way women were treated as mere plot devices instead of fully-fledged characters really downgraded this read to just three stars.

Zelazny indeed has some extremely interesting ideas, and he integrates them splendidly with the actual plots in his stories. This is not always the case in classic sci-fi, where ideas sometimes seem disjointed from the plot.

His writing style at times even borders on poetry, which is quite captivating.

Nevertheless, in not a single story did a female character exist independently. She was always there to have an impact on the main male character.

Moreover, many of these female characters died in order to further the male's plot. The theme of expendable women is something that I simply cannot support.

My favorite story within the collection was "This Moment of the Storm," and there were numerous other stories with thought-provoking ideas.

But, unfortunately, they failed to have an emotional impact on me.

And, once again, the treatment of female characters was truly deplorable.

I used to think I had a profound love for Roger Zelazny's writing. However, after delving into a few more of his books, I came to the realization that it was specifically THIS collection that truly captured my heart.

None of the other works of his that I've perused have managed to reach the same level, yet I persistently hold onto the hope that I'll accidentally discover something that I'll cherish just as much.

The stories within this collection traverse a wide range of themes, encompassing sentient cars, a thrilling hunt for a leviathan, encounters with aliens, and some amusing misunderstandings.

"The Keys to December" stands out as one of my absolute favorite short stories. It tells the tale of a genetically-engineered race of cat-people who alternate between wakefulness and cold-sleep for thousands of years in an effort to terraform a planet suitable for their habitation.

At 44 years old, it most likely predates any Furry fiction in existence. But don't take my word for it!

"A Rose for Ecclesiastes" is another beloved piece, although I had to reread it approximately fifteen years after my initial encounter before I could truly fathom and appreciate its depth.

"This Moment of Storm" started off rather uninteresting but then took a SHOCKINGLY tragic turn.

"Divine Madness" left me feeling rather disturbed, perhaps because it strikes me as a word-for-word account of what someone might daydream about when their life has been upended by tragedy.

And "A Museum Piece" was simply cute, in a delightful and entertaining sort of way.

"[...] brainsmash and binding to this Otherwhen."

The stories presented here are truly gorgeous and crafted with an abundance of love. They are expressionist in nature, which is a style that I'm not entirely accustomed to in the realm of sci-fi. However, this collection has proven to be a fantastic and captivating journey into some highly experimental tales. Each story seems to push the boundaries of traditional narrative, taking the reader on a wild ride through strange and wonderful universes. The use of vivid language and imaginative concepts makes these stories come alive in the mind's eye. It's a refreshing and exciting exploration of new ideas and possibilities within the genre. I can't wait to see what else the author has in store for us in the future.

This is one of my all-time favourite short story collections. Although I haven't delved into every single work of Zelazny, a significant number of my most beloved pieces from his repertoire are encompassed within these pages. (I must also mention that I truly adored Nine Princes in Amber.) Generally speaking, I have a penchant for shorter short stories, those that are twenty pages or less. However, the stories in this particular book are a delightful exception to this rule; in fact, the longer they are, the better.

I highly doubt that Zelazny penned much that could surpass these five remarkable stories:

- A Rose for Ecclesiastes

- This Moment of the Storm

- This Mortal Mountain

- The Doors of His Face, The Lamps of His Mouth

- Devil Car

There are also some honourable mentions, namely:

- Divine Madness

- The Man Who Loved the Faioli

I did find myself pondering over the title story's title. It's rather peculiar. It gives the impression of being a quotation, yet when I googled it, the only references that emerged were related to the Zelazny story and the book itself. It adds an air of mystery and intrigue to the collection.