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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
This was a great concept but unfortunately I didn't know enough going in about Hindu gods and Buddhism to really appreciate everything. On the one hand -- that's great because it made me conscious of some huge blind spots in my cultural/historical knowledge. On the other hand, it made this book difficult to enjoy. Early on I realized I'd never keep everyone straight and just gave up and kind of floated along with the story. Keeping things straight was made more difficult by Zelazny's tendency to not say exactly who was in a scene, but rather to describe their aspect and expect you to know. ("Oh, this person has a sword and is drinking tea. Must be Sam.")
I also -- and this is embarrassing -- didn't realize until the end that the whole damn thing was a flashback. Whatever pointers were in there to indicate that we had just jumped back in time, I completely missed them. Yep.
But I did love the concept and wish we'd gotten more world building and details about how, exactly, this world was colonized and how the technology worked. The details about the suppression of the printing press and still were some of my favorite parts.
I also -- and this is embarrassing -- didn't realize until the end that the whole damn thing was a flashback. Whatever pointers were in there to indicate that we had just jumped back in time, I completely missed them. Yep.
But I did love the concept and wish we'd gotten more world building and details about how, exactly, this world was colonized and how the technology worked. The details about the suppression of the printing press and still were some of my favorite parts.
I can understand why this book is considered to be a sci-fi classic in the way it expertly blends science and religion. However, I didn't feel much emotion about the characters and because of this the book felt slow.
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Unlike anything I’ve ever read. A colorful blend of eastern religion and sci-fi, this book offers a little bit of everything: mythical beings, fight scenes, weapons of incredible power, love triangles. Definitely a unique read.
This was not as good as I was hoping it would be. I know that these were people who named themselves as the Hindu gods and goddesses and Buddha, so there is a lot of creative license, but I can't help but feel like this was too off the mark, especially as far as portrayals of Hinduism are concerned. The story was also surprisingly dull. Besides the creative inclusion of Eastern religion and the transfer system, it was a pretty common "overthrow the corrupt rulers" trope.
It was well written, objectively, however. I was just expecting to love it and am lukewarm instead.
It was well written, objectively, however. I was just expecting to love it and am lukewarm instead.
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Call it two and a half stars.
I think my comprehension of this book suffered from having a jacketless hardcover version: I never quite figured out the premise of the book. That's right--the premise.
Zelazny hints skilfully, perhaps too subtly, that the world isn't Earth and that the gods aren't gods but tyrannical men in this tale about the role of religion as a tool of oppression. The language is flowery, the plot is complex. But at less than 300 pages, it's a worthwhile book to give a chance, if you like Hindu mythology and clever stories that speak on the less attractive qualities of humanity.
I think my comprehension of this book suffered from having a jacketless hardcover version: I never quite figured out the premise of the book. That's right--the premise.
Zelazny hints skilfully, perhaps too subtly, that the world isn't Earth and that the gods aren't gods but tyrannical men in this tale about the role of religion as a tool of oppression. The language is flowery, the plot is complex. But at less than 300 pages, it's a worthwhile book to give a chance, if you like Hindu mythology and clever stories that speak on the less attractive qualities of humanity.
AMAZING!
Full review at https://patternrecognitions.blogspot.ca/
Full review at https://patternrecognitions.blogspot.ca/
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated