Isle of the Dead

by Roger Zelazny

Paperback, 1969

Status

Available

Call number

813.54

Publication

Ace Books (1969), Edition: later printing, 190 pages

Description

Centuries in the future, Francis Sandow is the only man alive who was born as long ago as the 20th century. His body is kept young and in perfect health by advanced scientific methods; he has amassed such a fortune that he can own entire planets; and he has become a god. No, not a god of Earth, but one of the pantheon of the alien Pei'ans: he is Shimbo of Darktree, Shrugger of Thunders. Yet he doesn't believe that his personality has merged with the ancient consciousness of Shimbo, that he really can call down the skies upon his enemies. The time comes, however, when Francis Sandow must use these powers against the most dangerous antagonist in the universe: another Pei'an god -- Shimbo's own enemy, Belion. And Belion has no doubt whatever of his own powers... Roger Zelazny was a three-time Nebula Award and six-time Hugo Award-winning author of science fiction and fantasy classics, including the short stories "24 Views of Mount Fuji, by Hokusai", "Permafrost", and "Home is the Hangman".… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member unclebob53703

Extraordinary story of a one-of-a-kind protagonist risking everything and going on the adventure of his life. Written with wit and style. Read his stuff in college, and have been going back and finding the books again.

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LibraryThing member jimmaclachlan

This book is followed by "To Die in Italbar". It's an interesting blend of SF & Fantasy. A human studies to make worlds, honing his psyche & psi powers to host an alien god. Another human tries to do the same & picks up a god who is enemies with the first & lays a trap for him. Humans are the

pawns, the galaxy is the chess board. An interesting look in how power is handled.

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LibraryThing member TadAD

This is one of my favorite books by Zelazny. It combines a reasonable plot, decent writing and one of the more interesting science fiction/religion concepts from that era.

LibraryThing member DinadansFriend

A left-over corpse from the twentieth century is revived, and explores the new world of his revival. Francis Sandow has some baggage from his first life, but he moves on to become a planner of new worlds yet to be built. Entertaining, but not compelling.

LibraryThing member zot79

I was never sure if this book was science fiction trying to be a little bit fantasy or vice versa. Zelazny systematically avoids giving us enough detail to make it clear. From the first sentence, it is philosophical. At times it seems merely a prose poem reflecting on life, death, love, wealth, and

revenge. The sparse story is just a wireframe on which to arrange those deeper thoughts. Yet even these seem belabored, cold, and distant. The only character that comes alive is Frank Sandow. In the end, I wonder if we really care about him (or were even meant to).

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LibraryThing member CraigGoodwin

A good story, with a vibrant writing style. Dated in some respects, not least the myriad, and pointless, references to smoking.

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Subjects

Science fiction

Awards

Nebula Award (Nominee — Novel — 1969)

Prix Apollo (1972)

Original publication date

1969

1970

Physical description

190 p.; 7 inches

ISBN

0441374697 / 9780441374694

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Isle of the Dead

by Roger Zelazny

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