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bentobahb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Wonderfully poetic, interesting and absurd. There are so many lines I had to re-read over and over again to discern, worth reading a second time just to make sure I got everything.
strategineer's review against another edition
5.0
In fair puzzles there should always be a way out. But I saw no doorways in the sand, and try as I might I could not make the puzzle fall fair.
Doorways in the Sand tells the story of Fred Cassidy the "Eternal Student", a man who's spent 13 years of his life as an undergrad.
He does everything he can to avoid getting a degree so he can continue benefiting from his uncle's generous will, predicated on him being in school (once he graduates he'll be cut off).
Fred's idyllic existence is disrupted by the theft of a priceless alien artifact, the star-stone. He's a person of interest for reasons outside of his control and so he is pursued by humans and aliens alike who think he can help them find the stone (can he?).
"You are a living example of the absurdity of things."
Hijinks ensue.
I loved Doorways in the Sand. Fred, as a lovable rogue, is great and reading about him dealing with the many absurd and surreal situations he found himself in brought me a lot of joy.
The text has aged remarkably well. If you told me that it was written yesterday (and not almost 50 years ago), I would believe you.
The text is funny and had me smirking and laughing my way through it.
Turning, I saw Rick Liddy, an English major with an answer for everything except what to do with his degree come June.
Also, Fred reminded me a lot of Moist von Lipwig from Terry Pratchett's novel Going Postal which might explain why I loved Doorways in the Sand so much.
KOOB EHT DEAR! KOOB EHT DEAR! KOOB EHT DEAR!
Doorways in the Sand tells the story of Fred Cassidy the "Eternal Student", a man who's spent 13 years of his life as an undergrad.
He does everything he can to avoid getting a degree so he can continue benefiting from his uncle's generous will, predicated on him being in school (once he graduates he'll be cut off).
Fred's idyllic existence is disrupted by the theft of a priceless alien artifact, the star-stone. He's a person of interest for reasons outside of his control and so he is pursued by humans and aliens alike who think he can help them find the stone (can he?).
"You are a living example of the absurdity of things."
Hijinks ensue.
I loved Doorways in the Sand. Fred, as a lovable rogue, is great and reading about him dealing with the many absurd and surreal situations he found himself in brought me a lot of joy.
The text has aged remarkably well. If you told me that it was written yesterday (and not almost 50 years ago), I would believe you.
The text is funny and had me smirking and laughing my way through it.
Turning, I saw Rick Liddy, an English major with an answer for everything except what to do with his degree come June.
Also, Fred reminded me a lot of Moist von Lipwig from Terry Pratchett's novel Going Postal which might explain why I loved Doorways in the Sand so much.
KOOB EHT DEAR! KOOB EHT DEAR! KOOB EHT DEAR!
withloveandlights's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jonathanpalfrey's review against another edition
4.0
This is a light, playful novel, but one of my favourites from Zelazny. The first chapter describes the hero as an eternal undergraduate who’s avoided graduating for 13 years because of the terms of his uncle’s will. I rather like the situation and the quirky hero, and it’s almost a shame when he gets mixed up with aliens from outer space. However, that aspect of the novel is also diverting in its way, and the whole story is lively, original, and amusing.
The attractions here are the story, the writing style, and the main character. The other characters are only sketched in; although they’re sketched quite well.
Among other things, the hero has what he describes as acrophilia: he likes to climb buildings. And he’s a thoughtful fellow with a diverse education that gives him much to think about.
At the beginning of the story, he’s trying rather half-heartedly to attract a potential girlfriend, but the events of the story get in the way, so the love interest here is almost non-existent.
The university setting and the quirkiness remind me somewhat of [b:Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency|365|Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (Dirk Gently, #1)|Douglas Adams|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1554401296l/365._SY75_.jpg|1042123], although Zelazny’s book came first; and for this story he had no need of time travel.
The attractions here are the story, the writing style, and the main character. The other characters are only sketched in; although they’re sketched quite well.
Among other things, the hero has what he describes as acrophilia: he likes to climb buildings. And he’s a thoughtful fellow with a diverse education that gives him much to think about.
At the beginning of the story, he’s trying rather half-heartedly to attract a potential girlfriend, but the events of the story get in the way, so the love interest here is almost non-existent.
The university setting and the quirkiness remind me somewhat of [b:Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency|365|Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (Dirk Gently, #1)|Douglas Adams|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1554401296l/365._SY75_.jpg|1042123], although Zelazny’s book came first; and for this story he had no need of time travel.
dantastic's review against another edition
4.0
Where do I start?
Fred Cassidy is a college student and has been for the past 17 years due to a loophole in his late uncle's will. Fred is a compulsive climber and a thorn in the side of the administration who would like nothing more than for him to graduate so they can get on with their lives. Long story short, an alien artifact goes missing and a lot of people think Fred has it. The rest of the book is the quest to find the star stone and stay alive. Thankfully, Fred has help in the form of a talking wombat and a talking kangaroo...
The plot is more complicated than I'm letting on but I don't want to give too much away. The plot isn't what drew me to the book, though. The grabber for me was the style that Zelazny chose to tell the story. Each chapter beings with the hero in a situation unrelated to where the previous chapter left off. Once the scene is established, then he backtracks and fills in the blanks. Other than that, what can I say? It's a Zelanzy story.
Fred Cassidy is a college student and has been for the past 17 years due to a loophole in his late uncle's will. Fred is a compulsive climber and a thorn in the side of the administration who would like nothing more than for him to graduate so they can get on with their lives. Long story short, an alien artifact goes missing and a lot of people think Fred has it. The rest of the book is the quest to find the star stone and stay alive. Thankfully, Fred has help in the form of a talking wombat and a talking kangaroo...
The plot is more complicated than I'm letting on but I don't want to give too much away. The plot isn't what drew me to the book, though. The grabber for me was the style that Zelazny chose to tell the story. Each chapter beings with the hero in a situation unrelated to where the previous chapter left off. Once the scene is established, then he backtracks and fills in the blanks. Other than that, what can I say? It's a Zelanzy story.
barbtrek's review against another edition
3.0
This was ok. It seemed like a YA novel. I read the whole thing so there was enough of a story to keep my interest. I found that main character kind of annoying.
catly's review against another edition
4.0
I recalled that when I was 14 or 15, I read a book in which one of the characters was a talking marmoset who smoked cigarettes and another was a kangaroo, but I could not for the life of me remember what it was called or who had written it. It was driving me crazy, because I knew I'd loved the story at the time. It took a little internet searching to find Doorways in the Sand. Re-reading it, 45 years later, was a lot of fun. It is dated, filled with cigarettes and public telephone booths, and naturally reflects a 1970s view of male-female relationships. It is still funny and wildly imaginative - some might say hallucinogenic. The story follows the plight of a perpetual college student who's afflicted with a mysterious inner voice. Fast-paced, surprising, engaging all the way. Would make a good movie.
_bec_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
with_the_ranks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0