This review doesn't aim to encompass all 17 short pieces by the master, Zelazny. As my GR friend, Carol, pointed out in her review: “His use of language is remarkable; he can write succinctly, cutting through to a quiet moment in the midst of a hurricane, or he can intricately weave words to flawlessly describe an alien sunrise. There is a tone of melancholy permeating these stories, themes of time and loneliness, but the way he translates it into exotic settings is astonishing.”

Let's commence with the title story that has a sort of Moby Dick theme of capturing the mythical leviathan. Carl is a “Baitman” on this voyage and has been on this pursuit before. Similar to those who have chased after Moby, the leviathan has left a trail of death and destruction. Carl has witnessed this firsthand. The ship is enormous (“capable of lifting a battleship out of the water without much listing to that side”).

“You don't Slide?” “I bait.” “We'll see.” “That's all I do. If she wants a Slideman, she's going to have to ask nicely.” “You think she'll have to?” “I think she'll have to.” “And if she does, can you do it?” “A fair question,” I puffed. “I don't know the answer, though.”

All the science fiction elements are incorrect, but only because in 1965 we knew so little about Venus, where this is supposed to occur. And by everything, I mean that this Venus is a sphere of water and humans have been residing on it for many years in 2010. However, none of that matters. The battle to hook and land the mythical Ichthyform Leviosaurus Levianthus is worth reading.

“A Rose for Ecclesiastes” has some resemblances but a different “vibe.” The planet Mars that Zelazny envisions is much closer to our current understanding ---- except that a humanoid species exists there and is the subject of diplomatic study and negotiations. Into it is introduced an individual, Gallinger, who has certain unique abilities that enable him to interact with this civilization in ways superior to all previous contacts by Earth.

In this story, Zelazny showcases some of his profound knowledge of religions (both of the “East” and the “West”) and his skill in narration. Thanks to Kevin Lopez for reminding me to “reinvest” in this book.

Both stories explore the human condition and deal with damaged humans of considerable talents. There is a sadness in these stories but it is not without reason or its own pleasures.

4.5*

My first full encounter with the works of Roger Zelazny, a name that is often regarded as one of the greats in 60s/70s science fiction. As this is a collection of short stories, I will rate each one out of 5 and then calculate a slightly weighted average for the entire book.

"The Doors of His Face, The Lamps of His Mouth" ★★★ | This story received several nominations for the Nebula and Hugo awards and even won the '65 Nebula for Best Novelette. However, I'm not entirely convinced. The setting of a waterworld Venus, a deliberate departure from science by Zelazny, and the premise of celebrity-sponsored fishermen hunting for "Ikky," a leviathan-like Venusian sea monster, are quite cool. The plot is okay, and the style is, well, highly stylized in a way that was probably trendy in the Sixties but doesn't quite resonate in the present day.

"The Keys to December" ★★½ | A melancholy tale about gene-spliced humans, specifically cat-people bred for high gravity, cold temperatures, and toxic atmospheres, attempting to create a new home for themselves after the one they were designed for explodes in a nebula. But the new world has its own semi-sapient life...

"Devil Car" ★★★½ | There may be some personal bias here as I'm a fan of the "Mad Max" / cars-with-weapons-dueling-in-the-wasteland tropes. This short story follows a man, his souped-up computerized car, and his quest for vengeance against the titular machine that killed his brother. It features some cool imagery and exciting action, with strong spaghetti-Western overtones.

"A Rose for Ecclesiastes" ★★★★ | I'm also a sucker for pulpy Mars stories. In this one, a linguist gets the opportunity to visit the remnant civilization on Mars to transcribe their histories and legends before they all perish. There are many allusions to previous "Barsoomian" Mars stories, and the ending, I think, is a sort of melancholy inversion of Burroughs, set in beautiful prose.

"The Monster and the Maiden" ★★ | More of a vignette, it's an obvious inversion of the title trope.

"Collector's Fever" ★★ | A man has a conversation with a talking rock. It's amusing but forgettable.

"This Mortal Mountain" ★★★ | Similar in many ways to "The Doors of His Face...," with extreme sports, a protagonist seeking one last score, and being estranged from his wife. But this time, the setting is a planet with a mountain that extends above the atmosphere. The setup was good, but the ending didn't quite meet expectations.

"This Moment of the Storm" ★★★ | It has interesting ideas, or at least they are well-crafted even if not entirely original. However, the actual storyline didn't quite engage me.

"The Great Slow Kings" ★★½ | A short satirical piece about two lizard-kings who live according to geologic time. There's not much more to say about it, although the dialogue is amusing on the first read.

"A Museum Piece" ★½ | Basically, it's not really science fiction at all; if anything, it's science fiction by the end. The concept, a satiric literalization of "museums are where lesser artists go to die," is kind of amusing but didn't really take off for me.

"Divine Madness" ★★★½ | A man experiences time-slip seizures that are exacerbated by alcohol. But what grief led him to go on a drunken bender in the first place...? It's very well written, sitting on the border between science fiction and regular literary fiction. The literal mechanics of the time travel nicely parallel what someone in real life might feel like in the protagonist's situation, without the time travel.

"Corrida" ★ | The title is the Spanish word for 'bullfight,' and what's described does bear some resemblance to a bullfight, but it's mostly just a jumble of images and events. It's hallucinatory and dull, but thankfully short. Just skip to the next one.

"Love Is An Imaginary Number" ★★½ | An interesting take on the Lucifer/Loki/Coyote/Prometheus archetypes. It's worth reading and appreciating for Zelazny's prose, but it's too much of a vignette for me to rate it much higher.

"The Man Who Loved the Faioli" ★★★★ | I really enjoyed this one, probably on par with "A Rose for Ecclesiastes." John Auden, a man who is not always alive (similar to Cordwainer Smith's "Scanners Live in Vain"), tends a planetary graveyard where robots bring the dead of countless worlds. (That concept alone is really cool.) The Faioli are siren/succubus/nymph-like energy beings who trade carnal pleasure for one's remaining life-force. Auden meets a Faioli... This also reminded me somewhat of George R. R. Martin's early science fiction story "Fast-Friend" (written 9 years later), so I wonder if GRRM was influenced.

"Lucifer" ★★★ | Ironically, it's not about a fallen angel-type character like in "Love Is an Imaginary Number," but in other ways, the title fits: the protagonist is a bringer of light, and the setting is apocalyptic. It's bleak in a very "we must consider Sisyphus happy" sort of way.

OVERALL RATING: ★★★ | I would definitely recommend the title story, "A Rose For Ecclesiastes," "Devil Car," "Divine Madness," and "The Man Who Loved the Faioli." That's, fittingly, 5 out of 15 of the stories.

This was a rather hit or miss collection of short stories penned by the sci-fi/fantasy genre bending master, Roger Zelazny.

Zelazny's writing is a fascinating blend of literary techniques and wild imagination. It's truly great, weird, and unique. When it hits the mark, it really works wonders. However, when it doesn't, one can still appreciate the effort he put in.

The Doors of His Face, The Lamps of His Mouth **** Deep sea fishing on Venus with an IG influencer? It's an interesting concept.

The Keys to December *** Bioengineered superhumans meddling with evolution. It's a bit hard to fully grasp when listening to it on audio.

Devil Car ** A post-apocalyptic story about cars? It seems a bit silly.

A Rose for Ecclesiastes ***** This one is brilliant. A poet on a mission on Mars makes for a captivating tale.

The Monster and the Maiden * It's short and forgettable.

Collector's Fever ** A stone that refuses to move? Again, a rather silly idea.

The Mortal Mountain **** Climbing the highest peak in the universe and finding a surprise at the top that makes the story both more interesting and a lot weirder.

The Moment of the Storm *** As the title suggests, it's about a storm.

The Great Slow Kings ** It makes one wonder how we would think if we lived for millennia.

A Museum Piece ** It's about an artist but is quite forgettable.

Divine Madness *** Reliving the death of a loved one.

Corrida * What exactly is this about?

Love is an Imaginary Number *** It has a Chronicles of Amber vibe.

The Man Who Loved the Faoli *** It's a love story of sorts.

Lucifer * This one is also forgettable.

Stories - 7, Language - 9, Ideas - 8, Characters - 7, Enjoyment - 7, Overall - 7.5 (audiobook)

The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth • (1965) • novelette (*)

This novelette takes readers on a captivating journey. It weaves a tale that intrigues and engages from the very beginning. The story unfolds with unique characters and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The Keys to December • (1966) • novelette (**)

In this novelette, Zelazny creates a world full of mystery and wonder. The keys to December hold secrets that gradually come to light as the story progresses. The characters are well-developed and their actions drive the narrative forward.

Devil Car • [Sam Murdock] • (1965) • short story (**)

The short story "Devil Car" is a thrilling ride. With Sam Murdock at the wheel, readers are taken on a wild adventure. The concept of a devil car adds an element of excitement and danger to the story.

A Rose for Ecclesiastes • (1963) • novelette (*)

This novelette is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece. It explores themes of love, loss, and the meaning of life. The writing is elegant and the story stays with you long after you've finished reading.

The Monster and the Maiden • (1964) • short story (**)

In "The Monster and the Maiden," Zelazny presents a classic tale with a twist. The monster and the maiden's relationship is complex and充满了张力. The story keeps you guessing until the very end.

Collector's Fever • (1964) • short story (*)

This short story delves into the world of collectors. The main character's obsession with collecting leads to unexpected consequences. The story is a commentary on the lengths people will go to satisfy their desires.

This Mortal Mountain • (1967) • novelette (previously read online)

This Mortal Mountain takes readers on a journey through a world of gods and mortals. The novelette explores themes of power, fate, and the human condition. The online reading experience adds an extra dimension to the story.

This Moment of the Storm • (1966) • novelette (**)

In this novelette, Zelazny creates a sense of urgency and excitement. The storm serves as a metaphor for the turmoil in the characters' lives. The story builds to a climax that will leave you breathless.

The Great Slow Kings • (1963) • short story (*)

The short story "The Great Slow Kings" is a unique and imaginative piece. It tells the story of a group of kings who move at a slow pace. The concept is both humorous and thought-provoking, and the story offers a different perspective on leadership and power.

A Museum Piece • (1963) • short story (*)

This short story is a fascinating exploration of art and history. The main character discovers a museum piece that has a strange and powerful effect on him. The story raises questions about the value of art and its ability to shape our lives.

Divine Madness • (1966) • short story (**)

In "Divine Madness," Zelazny delves into the realm of the divine. The story explores the idea of gods and their relationship with humanity. The characters' experiences with the divine lead to moments of both madness and enlightenment.

Corrida • (1968) • short story

This short story takes readers to the world of bullfighting. The corrida is a thrilling and dangerous event, and Zelazny captures the excitement and drama of the moment. The story also explores themes of courage, honor, and sacrifice.

Love Is an Imaginary Number • (1966) • short story (**)

In this short story, Zelazny presents a unique take on love. The idea that love is an imaginary number adds an element of mystery and complexity to the story. The characters' experiences with love are both beautiful and tragic.

The Man Who Loved the Faioli • (1967) • short story

This short story tells the tale of a man's love for the Faioli. The Faioli are a mysterious and beautiful people, and the man's obsession with them leads to a series of events that change his life forever. The story is a exploration of love, obsession, and the unknown.

Lucifer • (1964) • short story (**)

The short story "Lucifer" is a powerful and evocative piece. It explores the character of Lucifer and his relationship with God and humanity. The story raises questions about good and evil, free will, and the nature of sin.

(*) previously read in Threshold, Volume 1: The Collected Stories of Roger Zelazny
(**) previously read in Power & Light, Volume 2

Dated, but entertaining stories.

Some of these stories are extremely short, almost like snippets that capture a moment in time. They manage to convey a sense of charm and interest in just a few sentences or paragraphs.

On the other hand, there are also those that are more like novellas. These longer pieces have more developed plots, detailed characters, and a deeper exploration of themes.

Despite their age, all of these stories are very good. They have a timeless quality that allows them to still engage and entertain readers today. Whether you prefer a quick read or a more immersive experience, there is something for everyone in this collection of dated but entertaining stories.

You can lose yourself in their pages and forget about the modern world for a while, enjoying the simple pleasures of a well-told story.

Roger Zelazny had an extraordinary talent. He could even make a simple shopping list seem engaging.

In his works, there are some stories that are deeply poignant, tugging at the heartstrings. And there are plenty others that are just out and out fun, bringing joy and entertainment. Interestingly, there's even a proto-Amber nugget here, which is sure to delight the Corwin fans.

"I have come," she said, "to hear the poem."

"What poem?"

"Yours."

"Oh."

I yawned, sat up, and did the things people usually do when awakened in the middle of the night to read poetry.

"That is very kind of you, but isn't the hour a trifle awkward?"

"I don't mind," she said.

Someday I am going to write an article for the Journal of Semantics, called "Tone of Voice: An Insufficient Vehicle for Irony."

"A cigarette. Want one?"...

A moment passed.

"Ooh," she said.

A pause, then, "Is it sacred?"

"No, it's nicotine," I answered, "a very ersatz form of divinity."

Another pause.

"Please don't ask me to translate 'ersatz'."

As he sat there that day, his mouth uncursing and undrinking and his eyes unreading, he knew that new cars were being shipped back to Detroit and disassembled, that corpses were awakening into their death-throes, and that priests the world over were saying black mass, unknowing.

He wanted to chuckle, but could not tell his mouth to do it.

Not all stories were included:

The doors of his Face, 1 star

This is a story about some sports fisherman who had a desire to catch a truly unique sea creature. This creature was of mammoth size, even larger than that. It required a raft as big as a football field to bring it in. However, I just don't understand why they couldn't have simply let it live.

The Keys to December, 4 stars

This story is about a race of creatures specifically designed to work in the mines on certain planets. When they reached adulthood, they were, so to speak, allowed to retire. But they had to live in extremely cold temperatures of -58° Fahrenheit and breathe methane, thus they had to reside in closed containers. They banded together across their many planets and elected to change a world so that they could inhabit it. It would take them a whopping 13,000 years to evolve this world, with two world-changing machines placed at each pole. What happened was that a native creature on the planet evolved as they changed the world and became intelligent.

Devil Car, 2 stars

This story reminds me of that Twilight Zone episode where the machines come to life and attempt to kill the protagonist. In this story, cars are anthropomorphized. There is a Devil Car that the protagonist is chasing in his souped-up "Scarlet Lady." It's never made clear how he can afford to have such a completely souped-up, customized, and armed car with which he roars across the Plains. The car supposedly has a brain. The Lady car is assisting him in his search for the Devil Car because the Devil Car killed his brother, who owned a Fuel Depot. In this day and age, with car thieves cutting out catalytic converters and cutting holes in the bottom of gas tanks, it's rather humorous to read this.

A Rose for Ecclesiastes, 4 stars

"I a stranger, unafraid - this is the land - I've got it made!" I really like the concept of this story. It's very lyrical. It's about a famous poet from Earth who is a genius when it comes to languages. He is chosen to go on an expedition to Mars to learn their Low Tongue. After much waiting and studying, he is finally permitted to go and see the Martian's history written down, but it's in the High Tongue. So first, he must learn the High Tongue. He uses speed (the drug) to stay awake for as many hours of the day and night as possible in order to commit the High Tongue to memory so that he can read the Martian's history and bring it back to Earth. The high priestess, so to speak, is so impressed with his language learning abilities that she allows him to stay inside the Temple instead of having to trek back and forth to the ship. And she lets him observe a dance from one of the Legends. He falls in love with the dancer; her name is Brexa and his name is Gallinger. I don't know how he manages it, but he somehow gets her pregnant, a Martian! When all the Martian men are sterile due to a plague that didn't kill them. Now this story is really something special.

The Mortal Mountain, 3 stars

A mountain that is 40 miles high on another world calls out to an experienced mountain climber. But the mountain has forces protecting it and pushing back any would-be summit climbers.

This Moment of the Storm, 3 stars

At this moment in March of 2022, we are experiencing a severe drought. But in the town of Betty on another world, they're having a fierce storm.

The Great, Slow Kings, 3 stars

These two kings are so slow that by the time they fetch a pair of humans, the humans reproduce, cover the planet with their offspring, and then proceed to annihilate themselves while the two kings are drafting a proclamation.

Divine Madness, 4 stars

A lovely story; if only it could be true.

Corrida, 4 stars

Is this author vegan? Or vegetarian? Or perhaps just completely against cruelty to animals? Whatever the case may be, I love this story. I have fantasies about animals doing to humans what humans do to animals.

Lucifer, 3 stars

I don't know its meaning, but I like it.

Lovely stuff, as always. This is the earlier work of Zelazny, which is prototypical and experimental, still in his development phases. Most of these stories were published in the years before "Lord of Light". For example, "Love Is An Imaginary Number" was published in 1966, one year prior to "Lord of Light". You can clearly see the elements that would later blossom into that novel budding in this short story. I swear, "Love" and "Lord" are essentially the same basic story, just spun in different directions.

Likewise, there are some parallels between "Devil Car" and "Damnation Alley", and the repeated appearance of the archetypal Zelazny Protagonist. He is a compassionate man with a rebellious streak, a great deal of confidence, a smug sense of humor, and a penchant for cigarettes.

"This Mortal Mountain", "The Keys to December" and "This Moment of the Storm" are probably my favorites. "The Great Slow Kings", "Museum Piece" and "Collector's Fever" were funny, clever and bizarre. Zelazny really doesn't get nearly enough credit for his chummy wit.

I wasn't a huge fan of the titular short, and the later stories felt a little flat. This might be because I'm spoiled, as my love affair with Zelazny began with some of his finest work like "Lord of Light", "Creatures of Light and Darkness" and "A Night In The Lonesome October".

Recommended for Zelazny fans and anyone interested in early 60's Sci Fi from a young master. However, for anyone new to Zelazny, it would be better to read "LAST DEFENDER OF CAMELOT" instead, which is a far superior collection of Zelazny's stories.

I've generally found Zelazny's shorter fiction to be a bit of a mixed bag.

His writing is undeniably elegant, and there is usually a profound and deeply human theme lurking beneath the surface of his stories. When these stories succeed in forging a connection with the reader, they can truly resonate. However, in this collection, I unfortunately failed to establish that connection with a number of the stories.

Thankfully, there were some real gems to be found as well. Two that stood out for me were "The Keys to December" and "The Man Who Loved the Faioli", both of which I would毫不犹豫地 give 5 stars.

"The Keys to December" is executed with such sublime skill. It presents a brilliant and deeply introspective concept. Genetically engineered humans, who have unknowingly taken on the role of gods on a new world they sought as a refuge, are now inflicting the same fate on others that was once inflicted upon them.

The line "And it doesn't really matter how it happened. They're here and we're here, and they think we're gods. Maybe because we do nothing for them but make them miserable." really drives home the complex and thought-provoking nature of the story.

"The Man Who Loved the Faioli" is an incredibly cool love story. It involves a cyborg of sorts who comprehends the fragility of life and its significance to himself, and an unusual vampire-like creature that comforts men as it drains the life from them.

As for the title story, the Hugo nominated / Nebula award winning "The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth", I didn't find it to be all that compelling. Nevertheless, Zelazny's vivid prose and his descriptions of the unfathomable seas of Venus were fascinating enough to hold my attention.

Overall, while Zelazny's shorter fiction may not always hit the mark for me, there are definitely some outstanding works within this collection that are well worth the read.

Somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars.

Zelazny was undoubtedly a writer of great talent. However, some of the stories included in this collection were rather dull. They seemed to be searching for an answer that I simply had no particular interest in uncovering.

The majority of the score can be attributed to the captivating "This Mortal Mountain," the action-packed "Devil Car," and, of course, the Nebula Award-winning "The Doors of His Face, The Lamps of His Mouth." The latter is a novelette that reads like a science fiction version of Moby Dick and is highly entertaining.

I thoroughly enjoyed Zelazny's dry humour, which often emerged within his well-crafted sentences. His unique writing style added an extra layer of charm to the stories.

Overall, while not every story in this collection was a hit for me, there were definitely enough亮点 to make it a worthwhile read. Zelazny's talent shines through in many of the tales, and I look forward to exploring more of his work in the future.

The Door of His Face, etc, is a captivating collection that consists of 15 stories penned by Roger Zelazny.

Most of these tales are set in a spacey milieu, although a few deviate from this norm. I refrain from using the term "sci-fi" as they don't strictly adhere to that genre. The plots, for the most part, might seem a bit outlandish, delving into such hot topics as whaling on Venus, rebellious demon cars, and mountaineering in the era of faster-than-light travel. The characters often conform to pulp or Hollywood archetypes, with a few notable exceptions.

Superficially, the stories might not appear to have much substance. However, the author's remarkable talent for描绘 settings and sometimes even tugging at the emotional heartstrings cannot be ignored.

The Keys to December employs an utterly unconvincing romance as a backdrop to an interesting exploration of a world being devastated by terraformers. A Rose for Ecclesiastes uses a conceited and uninteresting poet to transport us to a dying civilization gradually sinking into the sands of Mars. This Moment of the Storm, perhaps the strongest story, leads the reader through many days of torrential downpour on a stopover planet via a frame story involving love, I surmise.

The overall impression I gleaned from most of the stories was akin to looking at a painting with a botched portrait but a breathtaking sunset in the background.

The stories offer a wide range of experiences. Some are purely comedic, like "A Museum Piece" and "The Great Slow Kings". Others strive for pathos, with varying degrees of success, such as "Divine Madness" and "Lucifer". Some are simply strange, like "Corrida" and "The Monster and the Maiden". Overall, it's an enjoyable collection that likely has something to offer everyone. The biggest letdown is the title story, not because it's the worst but simply because it lacks any truly special qualities, while every other story is centered around one quirk or another.

Tundub ka mulle uskumatu, et "Tema silmnäo väravad, tema suu põlevad tõrvikud" on esimene Roger Zelazny teos, mida olen lugenud. Võimalik, et olen mõnes kogumikus ka varem mõne loo otsa sattunud, kuid kindel ei ole. Tõsi, nii mõnedki raamatud on riiulis juba varasemast oma järge ootamas - ja olen üsna kindel, et liiguvad nüüd ka järjekorras mõnevõrra ettepoole.

"Tema silmnäo..." koosneb viieteistkümnest lühijutust; mõni pikem, mõni vaid mõne leheküljeline. Nagu ka järelsõna ütleb, et Zelanzy saanud palju ainest müütidest ja religioonidest. Jõudsin lugedes ka ise samale tõdemusele; lisaks meenutasid lood oma olemuselt muinasjutte. Heas mõttes muidugi. Heh, draakoneid leidus ikka omajagu!

See, et tegevuskohad läksid meie tänastest teadmistest lahku (ookeanid Veenusel, tsivilisatsioon Marsil) ei häirinud sugugi. Tegelikult peab ütlema, et minu arust olidki need kaks kogumiku parimad lood; eriti mõjus oli Marsil aset leidev "Koguja roos". Ühtegi halba lugu minu jaoks ei olnud; kõik olid piisavalt eriilmelised. Ka keeleliselt oli lugemine väga nauditav.

Soovitan; ka neile, kes muidu ulmekaid (või fantaasiaromaane?) väga kätte võtta ei riski. I would highly recommend this collection of short stories. It offers a diverse range of tales that are both engaging and thought-provoking. The settings, such as the oceans of Venus and the civilization on Mars, add an element of mystery and wonder. The language is also a pleasure to read, with Zelazny's unique style shining through. Whether you're a fan of science fiction or just looking for something different to read, this book is definitely worth checking out.