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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
This was a very interesting read that I fully intend to revisit in the future. Mostly because of my ambivalence and intrigue.
On the one hand, this book was difficult to digest. A combination of the manner in which this was written, as well as (despite having taken several world religion classes and watching plenty of Bollywood) not being familiar enough with Hindu religion that I found myself often rereading pages to make sure I was following along correctly. A glossary of all the names, and secondary names, that I could reference and look back to would have definitely been beneficial.
I also noted what seem to be some of my lesser favored traits of Zelazny’s writing (I’m more confident to identify after reading ten of his other books) which mostly includes an unfavorable attitude toward how he writes and features female characters. In this context though it’s much easier to digest than the Amber chronicles. It was amusing to note that Zelazny clearly has a love for writing powerful, clever male protagonists with exceptional power who go up against an organization he has strong ties to for various reasons, and needs to shake things up in all our war.
All that aside, the concept of a society set in the future where people utilize Hinduism — and then Buddhism — to control and make a whole new world in their image is a really fascinating one. It utilizes sci-fi in such a way that it read more as fantasy. I often found myself reading and hoping that if it’s not already been reinterpreted as a graphic novel, “Lord of Light” really should be as the material is ripe for it. I liked the world building, the nods to colonialism, and the exploration of what it would look like to oppress people to such a degree and with such tactics.
I want to read this again with a more in depth knowledge of the Hindu pantheon, and then I’ll feel more confident giving a thorough review and rating. At this time 4/5 works, though it feels too high for a book I’m so ambivalent about. Yet 3/5 feels too low at this time. Curse Goodreads’ lack of .5 rating system! Lol
On the one hand, this book was difficult to digest. A combination of the manner in which this was written, as well as (despite having taken several world religion classes and watching plenty of Bollywood) not being familiar enough with Hindu religion that I found myself often rereading pages to make sure I was following along correctly. A glossary of all the names, and secondary names, that I could reference and look back to would have definitely been beneficial.
I also noted what seem to be some of my lesser favored traits of Zelazny’s writing (I’m more confident to identify after reading ten of his other books) which mostly includes an unfavorable attitude toward how he writes and features female characters. In this context though it’s much easier to digest than the Amber chronicles. It was amusing to note that Zelazny clearly has a love for writing powerful, clever male protagonists with exceptional power who go up against an organization he has strong ties to for various reasons, and needs to shake things up in all our war.
All that aside, the concept of a society set in the future where people utilize Hinduism — and then Buddhism — to control and make a whole new world in their image is a really fascinating one. It utilizes sci-fi in such a way that it read more as fantasy. I often found myself reading and hoping that if it’s not already been reinterpreted as a graphic novel, “Lord of Light” really should be as the material is ripe for it. I liked the world building, the nods to colonialism, and the exploration of what it would look like to oppress people to such a degree and with such tactics.
I want to read this again with a more in depth knowledge of the Hindu pantheon, and then I’ll feel more confident giving a thorough review and rating. At this time 4/5 works, though it feels too high for a book I’m so ambivalent about. Yet 3/5 feels too low at this time. Curse Goodreads’ lack of .5 rating system! Lol
I'm sure this was more interesting in the 60s when people thought eastern religions were on to something.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A fascinating premise! Zelazny based this novel of power politics and intrigue on an alien world on the gods of the Hindu pantheon. A companion piece to Creatures of Light and Darkness, in which he did the same with the deities of ancient Egyptian religion.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
Strong character development:
No
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes