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cloudsinthecupboard's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
cthulhucore's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
One of the all time greats of science fiction. Still stands head and shoulders above much contemporary sci-fi. If you can read this blind, do so. Knowing too much about removes the bite
wouterk's review
5.0
When I started reading this book, I was thinking 'ah its a variation on a mythological story, and it will be a comfy read, nice and interesting'. But as this book progressed I've grown to love every bit of it, especially when the fit hit the shan.
I must disclaim first that I have insufficient knowledge of the rise of Buddhism and especially about Hinduism as a religion to understand everything that is happening here. But that already brings me to the first positive, is that this book made me very curious to know more about both. I have read some works that touch upon the Hindu pantheon as well as Herman Hesse's Siddhartha, but that just scratches the surface and I'll go and look for some more thorough historical context somewhere soon.
The story sets in a world where the Hindu Gods are controlling the world but also the humans by keeping them from technologically advancing and forcing worship in exchange for reincarnation. Our protagonist Sam (also known as Siddharta, Buddha and many other names) opposes these Gods and is an accelerationist (one who thinks humans should be able to advance and knowledge of the gods should be shared). So basically he (re)starts Buddhism to oppose the Hindu gods and trickery and battle within the pantheon of Gods ensue.
In this book Zelazny creates a world that is at the same time understandble but also mysterious. It presents technology as ever present and powering the gods. It presents religion as a repressive means to control the world. Kudo's for making a dark one with zombie's representing Christianity (and no that is not symbolism, one of the Hindu Gods that approaches the Dark One to provide assistance literally says he is a Christian sympathizer). Yet, at the same time Zelazny implies all these religions are concepts that have been reused time and time again throughout history, but also in different worlds, which is reminiscent of the 'multiverse' that Zelazny creates in his Chronicles of Amber.
I could go on, but do not want to spoil the story. Yes, I told you all this and it still does not spoil the story at all. The book really zooms in on the human condition, humanizes gods, but also deifies humans. It makes for many interesting thoughts about religion, fate and life. Rather than read my babbling about it, go read it <3
I must disclaim first that I have insufficient knowledge of the rise of Buddhism and especially about Hinduism as a religion to understand everything that is happening here. But that already brings me to the first positive, is that this book made me very curious to know more about both. I have read some works that touch upon the Hindu pantheon as well as Herman Hesse's Siddhartha, but that just scratches the surface and I'll go and look for some more thorough historical context somewhere soon.
The story sets in a world where the Hindu Gods are controlling the world but also the humans by keeping them from technologically advancing and forcing worship in exchange for reincarnation. Our protagonist Sam (also known as Siddharta, Buddha and many other names) opposes these Gods and is an accelerationist (one who thinks humans should be able to advance and knowledge of the gods should be shared). So basically he (re)starts Buddhism to oppose the Hindu gods and trickery and battle within the pantheon of Gods ensue.
In this book Zelazny creates a world that is at the same time understandble but also mysterious. It presents technology as ever present and powering the gods. It presents religion as a repressive means to control the world. Kudo's for making a dark one with zombie's representing Christianity (and no that is not symbolism, one of the Hindu Gods that approaches the Dark One to provide assistance literally says he is a Christian sympathizer). Yet, at the same time Zelazny implies all these religions are concepts that have been reused time and time again throughout history, but also in different worlds, which is reminiscent of the 'multiverse' that Zelazny creates in his Chronicles of Amber.
I could go on, but do not want to spoil the story. Yes, I told you all this and it still does not spoil the story at all. The book really zooms in on the human condition, humanizes gods, but also deifies humans. It makes for many interesting thoughts about religion, fate and life. Rather than read my babbling about it, go read it <3
graslund's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
azuoliukas_wordpress_com's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
1.0
hexe_19's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
songwind's review against another edition
5.0
Lord of Light is one of my favorite books ever.
It has one of my favorite beginnings, and as you can see from my profile, one of my favorite quotes.
At its most basic level, the book is a great read. The underdog takes on the establishment and tries to free the people of a world from unfair enslavement.
If you take it deeper, it gets even better. The struggle between the different factions of the gods is a great parable of the struggle for our thoughts in which different groups are engaged in the real world. The motivations are as different in the novel as they are in real life, stretching from the banal to the sublime.
It has one of my favorite beginnings, and as you can see from my profile, one of my favorite quotes.
At its most basic level, the book is a great read. The underdog takes on the establishment and tries to free the people of a world from unfair enslavement.
If you take it deeper, it gets even better. The struggle between the different factions of the gods is a great parable of the struggle for our thoughts in which different groups are engaged in the real world. The motivations are as different in the novel as they are in real life, stretching from the banal to the sublime.
boborson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mwplante's review against another edition
5.0
Probably my favorite of the genre. Highly recommended.