Yes, I'm babbling. He does that to me.
'War Stories'
The Great Write Way
A place for Buffistas to discuss, beta and otherwise deal and dish on their non-fan fiction projects.
don't hit me, deb
Why on earth? You're quite right about that; Amber and Lord of Light are the best-known of the novels, by miles.
I occasionally get nervous about making sweeping pronouncements, especially when there's someone around with more knowledge of the subject.
I occasionally get nervous about making sweeping pronouncements, especially when there's someone around with more knowledge of the subject.
Nope, that was totally accurate. And actually, I think Micole is the expert on Roger's novels; DX and I are all about the short stories.
I remember a conversation in Literary, a year or two ago, about that. It was great fun, seeing who said what when asked about their favourite Zelazny short. DX voted for "The Lamps of His Eyes...", Betsy goes happy-swoony-blissed over "A Rose for Ecclesiastes", I love the power and hysterical irony behind "This Mortal Mountain". And Nic, who loves every word Roger ever wrote, is the one who reminded me about his short vampire story - was it called "Dayblood"? my brain is draining.
I'm not sure if my favorite Zelazny is Lord of Light or Jack of Shadows (to name one that hasn't been name-checked). I read the first Amber novel many years ago and said "eh," tried the next in the series some time after and shrugged my shoulders. And What Deb Said about the excelllence of his short stories.
One problem I have with the short stories is I first read some of them in an illustrated limited edition book I have, and the illustrations are very much of their time (ie, '70s). My memories of them are tainted by the pictures. Plus I can rarely get my mind revved up fast enough with short stories to really care what happens.
Were there ever plans for more Amber stories?
Theo, isn't that called ShadowJack? A novella of his? Like I said, the brain, she is draining.
And I forgot the other great short story collection. Dooood! Unicorn Variations!
I think there were going to be more Amber novels. Goddamnit, I'm not even a fan of the Amber stuff and I'm pissed off that he's gone all over again.
I thought I heard somewhere that Zelazny had told friends that he intended that Amber end with him, but his estate has arranged for other writers to continue them.