Scan barcode
A review by wouterk
Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny
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