Lord of Light

Lord of Light (1968) is an epic science fiction/fantasy novel by Roger Zelazny. It was awarded the 1968 Hugo Award for Best Novel, and nominated for a Nebula Award in the same category. Two chapters from the novel were published as novelettes in the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in 1967.

Structure

The novel is structured as a series of long chapters, each a distinct story of part of a campaign by the hero Sam against the Gods. The first story relates Sam's return from Nirvana to continue the struggle after decades of exile. The subsequent stories are flashbacks as Sam remembers the beginning of his campaign, and the tactics he employed, leading up to the titanic battle of Keenset. In the final chapter the newly returned Sam completes his campaign, with bittersweet results.

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Beginning each chapter is an extract from a legendary version of the story, and extensive quotes, in English, apparently from Sanskrit literature such as the Vedas. Several events in the plot are accompanied by dialogue quoting the Upanishads.

Related Topics:
Vedas - Upanishads

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