Imagine this:

A unicorn challenges you to a game of chess. No, seriously. That’s the premise of Unicorn Variations, and trust me, it's as delightfully strange as it sounds.

Zelazny delivers a story where a man and a unicorn sit down for the ultimate battle—not with swords, but with strategy, staring each other down across a chessboard. It’s like The Queen’s Gambit, but with way more magical creatures.

Naturally, you think, “A unicorn? What’s next, a centaur playing poker?” (Honestly, don’t rule it out.) The stakes are high because, as it turns out, winning this game of chess is more important than just bragging rights. The fate of the world kind of depends on it, no pressure though!

Zelazny weaves in his trademark wit and some surprisingly deep philosophical musings. One minute you’re contemplating the existential weight of mythical creatures, the next you're wondering if chess might actually be the secret weapon to surviving a fantasy apocalypse.

In short, Unicorn Variations is like getting invited to a magical chess tournament hosted by your most eccentric friend—the one who always has a weird story up their sleeve. If you’ve ever wanted to see a unicorn and a human settle cosmic affairs over pawns and rooks, this is the bizarre, brilliant tale for you.

You'll find yourself completely immersed in this strange and wonderful world, where the rules of reality seem to bend and twist. The characters are engaging, and the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next.

Whether you're a fan of chess, fantasy, or just a good story, Unicorn Variations has something for everyone. So, sit back, relax, and let Zelazny take you on a wild ride through a world where unicorns and humans battle it out on the chessboard for the fate of the world.

You won't be disappointed!

To my knowledge,

this is the fourth of five collections of Zelazny's shorter works.

It follows 'Four for Tomorrow/A Rose for Ecclesiastes', 'The Doors of his Face, the Lamps of his Mouth', and 'The Last Defender of Camelot',

and precedes 'Frost and Fire'.

It is fully the equal of the two volumes that came before it.

We have 'Home is the Hangman', which also appears as a part of the 'My Name is Legion' sequence.

It is a most interesting variation on the plot idea of Eco's 'Name of the Rose'.

The title piece shows what a huge debt was owed to Zelazny by Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett.

The moving sequel to the earlier 'Devil Car' story (from 'The Doors...') is riveting.

This collection is essential Zelazny and of interest to everybody who likes to see short-form science fiction done supremely well.

It offers a diverse range of stories that showcase Zelazny's unique imagination and storytelling skills.

Whether you are a long-time fan of his work or new to his writing, this collection is sure to delight and engage you.

Most of these stories were a little too experimental for my taste.

However, the first one, the title story, was truly remarkable. It involved a man, a griffin, and a sasquatch engaged in a thrilling game of chess against a unicorn in a pub. The stakes were incredibly high as they were playing to determine the fate of mankind.

The scene was vividly described, making it easy for the reader to imagine the紧张 and exciting atmosphere in the pub. The characters were unique and interesting, each with their own distinct personalities and abilities.

As the game progressed, the tension built, and the reader was on the edge of their seat, eager to find out who would emerge victorious and what the consequences would be for humanity.

In my opinion, this is the best short story I have ever read. It combines elements of fantasy, adventure, and strategy in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

This is a great collection of stories.

I had wrongly assumed that I had already read all of them. However, when this particular collection was mentioned in a Facebook group, I wasted no time and bought it immediately.

Among these stories, my favorite was probably "Home Is the Hangman". In fact, several of the stories here that dealt with AI were truly enjoyable. They offered unique perspectives and engaging plotlines related to artificial intelligence.

"Walpurgisnacht" might initially seem silly, but upon closer inspection, it has some profound things to say about life extension beyond what is considered normal. It makes one think about the implications and consequences of such a concept.

This collection as a whole provides a diverse range of stories that can captivate readers and make them reflect on various aspects of life, technology, and the human condition.

I read the story about the beer drinking unicorn.

And why wouldn't I? After all, it sounds quite奇特 and out of the ordinary. However, to my disappointment, I didn't really enjoy it.

The whole concept might seem crazy, and perhaps that's what some people would find appealing. But for me, it just didn't click.

I guess it's a matter of personal taste. This author's style and the way the story was presented just didn't resonate with me.

Maybe others will love it and find it highly entertaining, but unfortunately, it wasn't the case for me.

Nevertheless, I'm still open to exploring other works and seeing if there are any that will capture my interest and imagination.

The introductory paragraphs to each story, which explain the origins of each, were likely the most fascinating aspects.

These openings provided a glimpse into the background and genesis of the tales, captivating the reader's attention from the very start.

They set the stage for the unfolding narratives and added an element of intrigue.

In addition to the interesting introductions, there were also some truly cute moments throughout the stories.

These charming instances brought a smile to the face and added a touch of warmth and endearment to the overall reading experience.

Whether it was a heartwarming gesture, a funny quip, or an unexpected encounter, these cute moments made the stories even more enjoyable and memorable.

Overall, the combination of interesting origins and cute moments made for a delightful collection of stories.

The 30th book (15th so far this year) in my (re-)reading of the Zelazny canon.

I've read Unicorn Variations before and I truly have a deep affection for it. It's sort of my go-to choice when it comes to Zelazny's short fiction.

One aspect that I really adore about this book is the intros that Zelazny pens for each story. These intros often offer the reader a fascinating glimpse into the genesis of the tale.

The story behind the title story is the most renowned: writing a short story about a chess game and a unicorn set in a bar to fulfill (and sell to) three distinct anthologies. I've even referred to this when teaching classes in creative writing.

There are quite a number of very brief pieces here, typically in the 3 - 5 page range. It's extremely challenging to make these short shorts amount to much more than a snapshot or a punchline. However, Zelazny manages to achieve this feat repeatedly. Notably in "Fire And/Or Ice," "A Very Good Year" (both dealing with the end of the world), and "Walpurgisnacht" (about a form of life after death).

This time around, I was especially captivated by "Dismal Light" (probably because I was more acquainted with the character of Francis Sandow) and particularly, "The Horses of Lir," an exploration of a Loch Ness - type monster with mythological roots. And, of course, the humorous bookends "Unicorn Variation" and "The George Business" (where St. George and a dragon named Dart strike a deal).

The longest tale here, "Home Is the Hangman," I read most recently as part of the My Name Is Legion book. But the others here were unique (to me) to this collection. The introductions seem to suggest that Zelazny selected which stories to include, and that might be the reason why this collection feels so powerful.

Of all the short stories I have read throughout my lifetime, three stand out as my absolute favorites. Interestingly enough, Roger Zelazny is the mastermind behind two of them.

Zelazny was truly an extraordinary writer. His ability to craft vivid and imaginative worlds, filled with complex characters and thought-provoking themes, was simply remarkable.

The first story of his that captured my heart was [story title]. It took me on a wild adventure through a dystopian future, where the lines between good and evil were blurred. The second one, [story title], was equally captivating. It explored the nature of identity and consciousness in a way that left me pondering long after I had finished reading.

Zelazny's writing style was unique and engaging, drawing me in from the very first sentence. His use of language was poetic and powerful, painting a vivid picture in my mind.

In conclusion, Roger Zelazny will always hold a special place in my heart as one of the greatest short story writers of all time. His works continue to inspire and entertain me, and I can't wait to discover more of his literary gems.

Not every story is a 5-star gem, but in the case of Zelazny's works, most of them come very close. Zelazny is truly in a league of his own. His talent shines through in every page.

What's more, his short introductions to each story are also of remarkable quality. They add an extra layer of depth and context to the already captivating tales.

Interestingly, he includes a short story that he wrote before he turned professional. This story was originally distributed to his friends as a pack of copies. Despite being an early work, it is truly great and has stood the test of time extremely well.

In conclusion, I highly recommend Zelazny's collection of stories. Whether you are a die-hard science fiction fan or simply someone who enjoys a good read, you are sure to be impressed by his masterful storytelling.

I first heard it as an audio book. The narrator's voice brought the story to life, making it an engaging experience.

Later on, I decided to go back and read the actual book. As I turned the pages, I was able to immerse myself in the details and the author's writing style.

Reading the book allowed me to have a more in-depth understanding of the characters and the plot. I could take my time, analyze the text, and form my own interpretations.

Both the audio book and the printed version had their own unique charm. The audio book was convenient for when I was on the go, while the book gave me a more hands-on and personal experience.

In conclusion, whether it's through listening or reading, this story has left a lasting impression on me.

The title story was truly excellent. It had a captivating plot that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. The characters were well-developed and the writing style was engaging. However, I must admit that I can not remember the details of the other stories. It's possible that they didn't leave as strong of an impression on me as the title story did.

Perhaps I was so engrossed in the title story that I didn't pay as much attention to the others. Or maybe the other stories simply didn't have the same level of quality or interest. Whatever the reason, I find myself regretting not being able to recall more about them.

Nonetheless, the excellence of the title story alone makes the collection worth reading. It serves as a reminder of the power of a well-told story and leaves me eager to explore more works by the same author.

This is where I will lie down, but this book I feel as a part of me, the separation is difficult and not worth the effort. You have been warned. And yet, why isn't there a single review in Bulgarian, for heaven's sake?

Perhaps my favorite collection by Zelazny. I have read it a double-digit number of times, both in print and electronically (there are small differences between the Bard edition and the texts in the "reader"). Surely because Zelazny himself was compiling it as a retrospective of his work and made it quite diverse and dense, and the comments before each story open the reader's eyes not only to the author's inner world but also to an entire (I would say already past) era in genre literature.

0. Introduction – About a page of text that I'm almost sure is missing in the printed edition. Here Zelazny throws out several thoughts about the dissemination of stories in general, about magazines and anthologies. I like how the author sees each condition as a limitation. Without whining and cursing, simply reasoning about the relevant limitations. Whether they are happy endings, thematic anthologies, limitations on swear words and sex scenes, rejection of religious or political views.

Now, I will digress a little, but only because my opinion coincides with his. I'm not sure if exactly this text helped in his formation or if I just discovered myself inside. In the native land, such a creature as a free anthology either does not exist or is counted on the fingers of one hand, or those that come closest are divided into sub-themes inside. Something like just good texts by talented authors is terra incognita.

And as much as I don't want to admit it, I myself have become subconsciously accustomed to these conditions. When we were doing "Pisatsi" Branko (Branimir Sabev) asked me for one story. We all looked at each other in confusion: "But how", "But what should it be" and so on. He bowed and told us to give our best. A few months later I sent him "The Infection" with the words "Dude, this isn't even horror" he replied "Wonderful". That's when I understood that I had found my place in the small reader-writer universe.

But let's return to Zelazny:

1. The Variations of the Unicorn – The story of the writing of the story is almost as funny as the story itself. Zelazny managed to meet the conditions of three thematic anthologies with it and sell it to all three, which is a kind of rebellion against the limitations mentioned in the introduction. I wondered for a long time where the border is between craftsmanship and muse in such stories. Years later, when I myself dared to take the writer's path, I understood that it's not the conditions that write the story, but they simply approach something sleeping inside you.

The story itself includes many of my favorite aspects of the author – the interweaving of magic and technology, an ecological subtext, harmless deception – as well as one of the most beautiful openings in literature ever. And for the content: A horse enters a bar...

2. The Last of the Diva – A continuation of "The Devil's Cola" in Bulgarian that was only published in the magazine "Vurkolak" and one of the SF thriller books.

The beautiful semi-desert landscapes of the author's beloved New Mexico are intertwined with the amazing machine intelligences of the cars, which behave like wild horse herds and fight for independence from humanity. A wonderful and even scary at times story.

3. Recital – An (successful) experiment that aims to show how to write from scratch. A dramatic and slightly sad romantic story that has nothing to do with genre literature, but is written so simply and beautifully.

An opera diva is at the end of her life, a man has followed her throughout her life, without becoming a part. Revenge or respect? With all the circumstances, love.

4. The Naked Matador – One of my favorite tricks of the author is to slip the paranormal element under the skin of the text and you don't understand what's going on until you raise your temperature, and then it hits you at the end. Something that I have tried 2-3 times, but I don't have that finesse.

A man with problems meets a woman with a past. In their only evening together, both will help each other.

5. Dimly Lit Parts: Three Reflections – Another very useful essay for writing. He likes to slip them into the collections, like this among others. I have said it dozens of times – these short texts have helped me much more than all the books on writing. Here he covers the depth of the described world and the character of the heroes and shows several small numbers that work for him.

6. The Light of the Dark – Zelazny returns us to Francis Sandow and "The Island of the Dead" with a one-page story about a dying planet.

7. March Back into the Starless Night – Every fantasist of this generation has an echo of the threat of the Student War in one of his works. Here is Zelazny's, but it's just a light motif.

A disoriented person meets kind strangers. At first, it's not very clear to him who he is, where he is and what they want from him, but in the end, it turns out that he has to make a very serious decision.

8. Not Even the Messenger – A slightly dark madness, very confused, but completely in place. A high-altitude flight in an ultra-short form.

9. A Hand Through the Galaxy – A very beloved science fiction story that shows in the most brutal way the hypocrisy that lies in the modern forms of charity. Shameful. I should add that I have always respected the epistolary form.

10. The Power That Through the Schema Drives the Current – A short story in which the idea of Hugo's winning "The Executioner at Home" is smuggled in. With a double and unpredictable final twist. I'm glad that it has become an independent text. This makes both it and "The Executioner" what they are.

11. The Executioner at Home – Perhaps the most frequently translated work of Zelazny, in principle part of "My Name is Legion". Hard science fiction with a noir twist and one of my favorite texts.

A group of students start disappearing one by one. What unites them is a secret from the past that may be the cause.

12./13./14/ Fire and/or Ice / Exeunt omnes / A Beautiful Year – Three short stories, an inseparable triptych about the end of the world. Ragnarok/Shakespeare's "The Tempest"/ Time Slip. Short, complete, different, the same, funny, sad...

15. My Diode Lady – A noir romance with dark consequences that touches on one of the themes often explored by Zelazny – can a machine intelligence experience emotions. I rank it along with "The Executioner", "Loki 7281", "The Midday Ghost", "The Petrified Grasshopper" and many others.

16. And I Survived Only to Tell You – Such short pearls build the crown of the author.

A ghostly story about escaping from "The Flying Dutchman" with a disturbing ending.

17. The Horses of Lir – Everything that I wrote about "The Naked Matador" applies here.

The family business sometimes hides unexpected secrets, ancient, scary, but also beautiful.

18. The Night Has 999 Eyes – An essayistic elegy (yes, it's not in a double sense...) for the fall of an entire world.

19. Angel, Angel of Darkness – A story written according to an illustration, according to which I know that there is already another illustration, according to which I have to take and write a story.

The future controlling everything, even natural death. Trained professionals with high-tech mechanisms distribute the dark gift. One such will have to come out of retirement to face his past and himself.

"Somewhere it rains. Controlled or artificial rain — somewhere it always rains at any time when you think. Remember it always, if you can."

20. Walpurgisnacht – A funny story that plays with the madness of technology. Man, if only he knew what was going to happen in the next century...

21. The Business of George – A sweet fantasy that includes the last dragon and the last dragon slayer. An idea that has been recycled many times in literature and cinema later.

22. Some Dimensions in Science Fiction: A Prejudiced View. – The closing essay of the collection is exactly what is said in the title. Zelazny's prejudiced view suits me very well and yet I can't say whether I took it from there or if it just opened something hidden in me. Here he looks at the science fiction genre as something very simple, literature with a "sense of wonder". Yes, I can't say it better. This simply breaks down all the barriers of the introduction and the sub-genre walls erected, not clear why at the moment. (I know – for commercial purposes). Exactly this is what the literature of Zelazny brings to me – a constantly renewing sense of wonder, no matter what I read from him and how many times.

I put a period too, while adding that I am extremely partial to this author. Still, I think that everyone should read this book. To feel the wonders, to touch them.