Lord of Light

Name: Lord of Light
ISBN: 9787550230439

罗杰·泽拉兹尼 / 胡纾Beijing United Publishing Co., Ltd. · ChinaDec 2021

4.4

Word count: 177K words
Chapters: 10
ISBN: 9787550230439

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Summary

They call the Buddha Maitreya, which means Lord of Light; some still call him Sam, and say he is a god, yet he prefers to drop 'the Immeasurable' and 'the Great God' and call himself simply Sam. He never claimed to be a god, though of course he never denied it either. Under such circumstances, neither admission nor denial would do any good. Death and light are everywhere. They begin, end, accompany, and oppose one another; they enter nameless dreams and attach themselves to those dreams, burning words in the wheel of rebirth, perhaps in order to create a little beauty. And that namelessness is our world. This book is Zelazny's most celebrated science fiction epic; upon publication it caused a sensation, won the Hugo Award for Best Novel, and was nominated for the Nebula Award. In this novel, Zelazny pioneeringly introduced mythology, psychology, and sociology into the realm of science fiction, opening up a whole new world for the genre with gorgeous prose, grand settings, and magnificent storytelling.

Editor's review

Lord of Light fuses myth, religious power and science fiction into one whole; it reads both as an epic and as a thought experiment about faith and rebellion. Zelazny does not reduce "divinity" to simple superpowers but entangles it with language, ritual and social order, so that behind the gorgeous scenes the reader keeps encountering questions about power and free will. The narration leaps and the imagery is dense; a first reading may demand patience, but once you fall into its rhythm you feel the pleasure of retelling ancient myth as a future allegory. It suits slow reading in quiet, uninterrupted stretches, and also suits discussion with friends about "who has the right to define the sacred". For readers who want to widen the boundaries of science fiction and value the texture of the text, this is a work worth returning to again and again.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Science fiction readers who love mythic retellings and an epic quality
Reflective readers concerned with religion, power and free will
Readers who want to broaden their science fiction reading and enjoy gorgeous prose
Book club members with uninterrupted time who are willing to read slowly and discuss

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer linear narrative and fast-paced action
Readers seeking light entertainment who do not want to puzzle over metaphor
Readers completely unfamiliar with the mythic characters and unwilling to look them up

Reading tips

Read the main text first; do not stop at unfamiliar divine names but build relationships from context.
After each chapter, note in one sentence "who is contesting the right of interpretation" to trace the main thread.
When finished, reread the opening and reconsider the relationship between "miracles" and narrative in the story.

About the publisher

Beijing United Publishing Co., Ltd. China · Founded in 1993

Beijing United Publishing Co., Ltd. is a publisher known for its literature and history titles, with 2,065 books in the collection. Its publishing covers foreign literature, contemporary Chinese prose and essays, history, folk literature, and cultural books. Its list ranges from Sima Qian's complete edition of the Records of the Grand Historian to foreign classics such as The Book of Disquiet, All Quiet on the Western Front, Snow Country, The Stranger, and Jean-Christophe, as well as modern Chinese works including Teahouse and Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk. Its authors and translators include Yasunari Kawabata, Fernando Pessoa, Erich Maria Remarque, Jin Xinyi, Zhou Miao, and Chen Chao. Public information is limited, but its catalogue reflects a balance between Chinese and foreign literary classics and historical and cultural works.

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解说

FAQ

Is Lord of Light suitable for science fiction beginners?

It is not the easiest entry point. It layers myth, religion and science fiction together, with a leaping narrative and dense imagery that require readers to actively sort out characters and concepts; but if you are willing to read slowly, it can also be an important stepping stone to understanding how science fiction borrows from myth.

Do I need to know Indian mythology before reading?

Systematic study is not necessary, but knowing some basic divine names and the idea of reincarnation will make it smoother. Let unfamiliar terms pass at first and follow the plot; what really matters is the power relations and the conflict of faith, not memorizing the mythological genealogy.

Is this book better read in one sitting or in sections?

Slow reading in sections is recommended. Its language is dense and scenes shift quickly, so forced continuous reading easily tires you; reading one or two chapters a day, leaving time to savor and sort out relationships, actually makes it easier to enter Zelazny's rhythm.

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About the author

罗杰·泽拉兹尼 Author

Roger Zelazny was a science fiction author. Public information available in China is limited, and his dates of birth and death, nationality, and educational background are not confirmed here. Five of his works are included in the collection, among them The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth, Lord of Light, and the two-volume Lord of Light series; his writing also appears in anthologies such as Flowers for Algernon (A Selection of Masterworks by the World's Top Science Fiction Masters) and Timeless Science Fiction Classics (32 volumes). His work is usually classed as science fiction and fine fiction, and his themes often involve myth, religion, and philosophical reflection. His imagination is rich and his language carefully wrought, blending ancient mythological structures with futuristic speculation and sustaining tension between genre entertainment and serious thought. These works have had a certain influence among Chinese science fiction readers, combining narrative appeal with intellectual depth.

胡纾 Author

Public information about Hu Shu is very limited. All that is currently known is that nine of the author's works are held in the library, mostly in the fields of science fiction and genre fiction. Judging from the representative works, the titles Hu Shu has been involved in presenting or introducing include Asimov's complete short science fiction, BlindSight, Blindsight & Echopraxia and related boxed sets, the Lord of Light series, the "Rogues of Io" trilogy, The Quantum Thief, and the five-volume "Newbie Death" series, covering foreign science fiction classics and imaginative otherworldly themes. The library's categories place these works under premium fiction, science fiction, otherworldly continents, and foreign literature, suggesting that Hu Shu's editorial or creative focus leans toward the dissemination of science fiction and genre literature. Because birth and death dates, nationality, and personal history are all unknown, it is difficult to sketch a biography; the existing catalog can only indicate a close connection to science fiction publishing, and further information awaits public records.