Post-apocalyptic fantasy, the quality is clear from the author's name.

180 pages can embrace within them: the description of a very interesting world; several interesting heroes who develop; a plot on a global scale; a touch of humor.

Whoever thinks it's not like that - let them read "The Immortal"!

This post-apocalyptic fantasy novel offers a captivating journey into a world that has been forever changed. The author skillfully crafts a vivid and detailed description of this unique setting, filled with both danger and wonder.

The characters are equally engaging, each with their own distinct personalities and arcs. As they navigate the challenges of this new world, they grow and evolve, making them relatable and endearing to the reader.

The plot is not only on a grand scale but also filled with twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. And throughout it all, there is a touch of humor that lightens the mood and adds an extra layer of enjoyment.

"The Immortal" is a must-read for fans of post-apocalyptic fantasy and anyone looking for a thrilling and entertaining read.

The post-apocalyptic setting and the process of myth-building in this story are truly fantastic. They have the power to overshadow the somewhat tiringly stoic and macho tone of the otherwise funny protagonist. However, there is an overreliance on deus ex machina. I understand the intention in this "is it fantasy? is it sci-fi? is it myth?" novel, but it still feels a bit off. Additionally, the cheesy and prolonged character wrap-up dulls what could have been a perfect little novel.

It's a shame because the initial concept and the world-building are so engaging. The post-apocalyptic backdrop is vividly描绘, and the myths and legends that are being constructed add an air of mystery and excitement. The protagonist, despite his flaws in tone, has moments of genuine humor that make him likable. But these positive aspects are somewhat marred by the overuse of convenient plot devices and the less-than-satisfactory conclusion.

With a bit more refinement and a tighter focus on character development and plot resolution, this novel could have reached its full potential and been a truly outstanding piece of work. As it stands, it's still an enjoyable read, but it just misses the mark of perfection.

DNF at 55%

The writing in this work seemed rather stale, artificial, and lifeless. The portrayal of aliens as mere blue humans lacked creativity and depth. The mystery surrounding whether Conrad is a god or not failed to pique my interest. Psychologically, it didn't have a convincing impact. It was just the typical plot of nuclear radiation giving rise to mutated beasts, which felt rather random at times.

Surprisingly, it seems to be well-loved by some. They praise its poetic language. However, I didn't really perceive that, although the prose was not bad. Overall, it simply didn't connect with me on any level. I had the same feeling about "Lord of Light".

In any case, Conrad is no Corwin. Now, that was a character with whom I instantly formed a connection. The difference in their appeal was quite stark.

Zelazny had an extraordinary ability to spin a tale, and in this book, he weaved a tall tale indeed.

In fact, he crafted an entire set of them, all intricately tied into Greek mythology and the concept of preservationism.

The story was old-fashioned in many ways, much like Ian Fleming's orientalism, which added a certain charm and nostalgia.

However, it was also heartwarming, filled with characters and events that tugged at the reader's emotions.

Zelazny's writing style was engaging, drawing the reader in and keeping them hooked until the very end.

The book was a unique blend of mythology, adventure, and romance, making it a truly enjoyable read for fans of all genres.

Whether you were a lover of Greek mythology or simply looking for a good story, this book had something to offer.

It was a testament to Zelazny's talent as a writer and his ability to create a world that was both captivating and unforgettable.

Overall, it was a book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a thrilling and heartwarming adventure.

I really wanted to like this book. It's about an immortal warrior who is compelled to tour an alien post-apocalyptic Europe. Surprisingly, it all makes sense within the context of the book.

However, there are just a few too many deus ex machinas for me to overlook. Those sudden and convenient plot devices that seem to come out of nowhere to solve problems just don't sit well with me.

Moreover, the resolution of the story is straight-up zany. It's so outlandish and unexpected that it almost feels like a letdown after all the build-up.

Overall, while the concept of the book was interesting, the execution left a lot to be desired. I'm afraid I have to say, "Next!" to this one.

I can usually understand the reasoning behind why a particular text wins a Hugo award. However, in this case, I am completely at a loss.

What begins as a pausanian travelogue, seemingly documenting the journey of an extraterrestrial, ultimately transforms into an apollonian struggle. This struggle involves neo-mythical creatures that emerge from a nuked wasteland.

The story features random adventures in the wilderness, with hints of a deep past that are never fully realized. It feels like a pointless series of encounters, much like what one might experience in a role-playing game (RPG).

The narrator's true nature remains nebulous. They could potentially be a mutant or a demigod, but it's all very unclear.

But really, who cares? Ultimately, the text expressly affirms feudal property tenure over revolutionary politics, which is simply nauseating.

It's a real disappointment and leaves me wondering what exactly the judges were thinking when they awarded this work.

This is an incredibly impressive debut that features a plethora of fascinating themes and concepts.

It masterfully depicts an exciting expedition, taking the readers on a thrilling journey. At the same time, it delves deep into the realm of science fiction, presenting thought-provoking ideas and scenarios.

What's more, it cleverly hints at mythology, adding an extra layer of depth and mystery to the story.

While the adventures and fights might not be everyone's favorite part, they are well-balanced with an interesting world, engaging dialog, and well-developed characters.

The world-building is truly remarkable, creating a vivid and immersive environment that draws the readers in.

The dialog is sharp and realistic, bringing the characters to life and adding to the overall authenticity of the story.

The characters themselves are complex and multi-dimensional, each with their own unique personalities, motives, and backstories.

Overall, this debut is a must-read for fans of science fiction and adventure, offering a captivating and unforgettable reading experience.

The Earth is now a desolate ruin. Nuclear war has wreaked havoc on most of the world, leaving only a few islands with advanced civilization intact. The "Old Places" are feared due to the high levels of radiation and the presence of mutants. Most of humanity has migrated to alien worlds, living among the Vegans (aliens from Vega, not to be confused with strict vegetarians). The Vegans have a strange fascination with Earth, which has transformed the planet into a sort of giant outdoor museum.
Now, a Vegan has the desire to write a book about Earth. To do so, he requires a guide to take him on a tour of the planet's Old Places. The protagonist, Conrad Nomikos, is enlisted for this task. However, Conrad is not overly enthusiastic about this assignment, especially since the Vegan appears to be overly interested in his past. Conrad has a rather extensive past, and he is much older than he appears.
During their travels, Conrad and the Vegan encounter several strange and mutated animals, such as six-legged cows and "boadiles," which are many-legged snake-like crocodiles. This is rather silly, as if radiation has the power to create completely new species that have little in common with existing ones. It is easy to forget how young the science of genetics is. The structure of DNA was only discovered in 1953, and "This Immortal" was published in 1966. The ideas of modern biology had not yet had time to penetrate the general consciousness, which is why these kinds of childish ideas about radiation were quite common in older science fiction.
"This Immortal" was a book that was driven by its characters, but it also had exciting action sequences. The book felt like a blend of New Wave and "traditional" science fiction. It was a good balance, as the book did not feel overly difficult or dense, despite having many philosophical and mythical themes.

A worn-out and dilapidated Earth, mostly purchased by inhuman entities. Here, they are only inhuman in the literal sense and seem considerably kinder than our own corporate owners. Humanity now exists in the shadow of a superior alien race, the Vegans. And yes, if the sixties SF naming coincidence isn't quite as remarkably amusing as that of Norman Spinrad's Agent of Chaos, starring one Boris Johnson, it still elicits a chuckle or two. The narrator, Conrad Nimikos, the Commissioner Of Arts, Monuments And Archives, is human, probably. He keeps an eye on what's left of human history, though his priorities may sometimes raise eyebrows. If the title doesn't give it away, we learn early on that he is not only older than he appears but also older than he admits. The novel follows him as he guides a Vegan visitor around the old places of a broken planet. And if some of the Hot Places left by the dreadful Three Days have bred mutations, and the shapes of those mutations recall old myths, well, that's surely just a coincidence. It's not a sign that Earth, at its close, as in its youth, is entering a new age of gods and monsters.
This sense of the future circling back to myth seems to have been an urge Zelazny constantly tried to satisfy. It was also present in Isle Of The Dead and Lord Of Light. These works also emphasized the human side of the equation. There's a lovely moment here where Conrad stays again in a room he once inhabited under an older, more famous name, surrounded by plaques detailing what he did there. We leave him as he dreads visiting the bathroom. But equally, the sense of magic is strong. In a sense, this was not at all what I was seeking. After reading Gilgamesh and Tolkien, I didn't want any more myth; I wanted the clean lines of some 1940s-60s science fiction and grabbed the first unread book fitting that description on my shelves. I should have remembered Zelazny or at least reconsidered the title and chosen again. Even the prose is in that slightly abstract mode Zelazny often employed, a tapestry of epithets and implications that, if not exactly like Firbank's, would still startle many people who assume they know how books with covers like this must read. But in its own way, this post-apocalyptic civilization – and it is still a civilization, however limited the circumstances – was a much more powerful reminder that this too shall pass than most of the facile, implausible assurances. And if it's a terrible thing to imagine there ever being a last dog on Earth, well, at least he is an exceptionally good boy. I'm really not looking forward to the spiderbats, though.

Gosh darn it - ol' Roger sure knows how to write one hell of an adventure story!

Really, though - this is one hell of an action-packed story, and it has all of the hallmarks of great old adventure movies. There's a lovely romantic interlude, a descent into savage lands, battles with fierce and fantastic beasts, strange races of men and not-men, daring, dark, and brave heroes. And also, all of those old themes of mild sexism and racism. As much old sci-fi as I've been digesting lately, I'm almost missing those elements now.

That's probably not great. Not bragging!

As I noted at around 95 pages - Zelazny sure seems to have a thing for immortal-ish heroes of great martial and academic prowess. These guys are your quintessential Renaissance men - talented with a blade, artistic, romantic, diplomatic. I mean, this is nothing new, but Zelazny makes a theme of it in his novels. The Amber series, Lord of Light, This Immortal - it's all over his stories. I'm not complaining, because I like what he does with it. I'm just curious about the obvious fascination there.

Randomly: I found myself thinking, "Dan Simmons must have been hugely influenced by this novel." Seriously. Read Hyperion. Read This Immortal. It's everywhere. Obviously, Simmons and Zelazny are drawing from the same canon of history and mythology, but I have to think that Simmons makes at least a passing nod to Zelazny in there. And hey, that's cool. I like both authors, and both of their bodies of work (so far as I can say, at least - my experience with Simmons is, as yet, limited).

I do have to say - having read a fair number of Zelazny's novels - they're very similar in form and structure. This being one of his earliest works, it obviously was a formative novel for him. No doubt, his later works were simply polishing this sheen so to speak, developing the toolkit. But Zelazny seems to fall in to a very definite pattern from here. It's a good pattern, and his writing is great - but it certainly becomes predictable.

That being said: The Immortal is an excellent (and quick) read. I found my copy, quite yellowed and a bit worn, in a Goodwill for a mere dollar. Usually, I'll spend that dollar on a rice krispie bar in my office's cafeteria. This dollar was less delicious, but far more entertaining.

This SF road story with mythic elements was fortunate enough to share the 1966 Hugo award with Frank Herbert's Dune. I've read that it doesn't measure up to Dune, nor to Zelazny's other Hugo winner, Lord of Light. However, it is still a good read.

It begins in confusion, which is understandable considering the main character is immortal and the subject of evil rumors - or perhaps they are true? Many of these elements remain somewhat unclear, but the main narrative is definitely coherent. Zelazny's characters have strong motivations and distinct personalities, interacting in a way that forms a great story. The character who is the least detailed and the most alien is... the blue alien (and a member of the earth's overlords) being escorted around parts of a post-apocalyptic earth.

Prior to this, I had only read short stories by Roger Zelazny, although the Chronicles of Amber had been sitting on my shelf for many years. At that time, I think I was hesitant to embark on a 10-volume series. I read this as part of a 1960s reading challenge, and it was quite good considering it was published 50 years ago. I would rate it 3½ stars.

Although this is a classic, it stands out as one of the few older sci-fi stories that haven't become overly dated. The setting is a post-nuclear war Earth in an indefinite future, with all the technology being vague and generically futuristic, like the "skimmers".

It's in the characters that Zelazny truly exercised his imagination. Earth is now overrun by mutants who resemble creatures from myth. The main character, Conrad, appears to be an immortal and may even be a god. He's a typical Zelazny main character: mysterious, complicated, immortal, superhuman but not invincible, and fundamentally heroic yet kind of an asshole.

All of the characters in this book are interesting. Especially Conrad's friend, the assassin Hassan. I particularly liked the dialog and the action scenes. Zelazny has always been adept at writing great fight scenes.

The story wasn't without flaws. A lot of things were introduced without explanation, and many plot points seemed to be simply handwaved away. However, if you're a fan of Zelazny or enjoy good old-fashioned science fiction that's written much better than most of the sci-fi from the Sixties, then this book is definitely worth a read.

It offers a unique and engaging world filled with fascinating characters and exciting action, despite its few shortcomings.