Does anybody read books here?

[Lise]

Originally the series was 7 small Roger Zelazny sized books that have been condensed into 3 Frank Herbert sized books.

Aww, now you've gone and done it. You mentioned Roger Zelazny! I harbor a secret (not secret, L, you're posting about it on the internet ), OK, somewhat shameful, yet deep affection for the Amber series! I first read them in college, in 1978, when a cute boy loaned them to me. I took them all out from the library some years later, and re-read them. Was a bit chagrined at how, well, sexist they are! Oh, to heck with it! I love them! They've reprinted the original (9?) books in one large tome.

It's such a fascinating concept. One true world (Amber), of which all other worlds (including ours), are but a Shadow and distortion. One true pattern, deep in the heart of Amber. Ah, but there's Chaos, the polar opposite of Amber. Which is the "true" reality? Could one exist without the other? When faced with something physically or emotionally difficult, I often think of "walking the Pattern" in Amber, when you reach a Veil, and think you can't get through, but concentrate and persist, and you do....

I recommend them, with the caveat that the women don't come off so very well. Roger Zelazny was pretty macho. But his novels are part of my world view now! May he rest in peace.

[CyclChyk]

Lise - judging by your admiration for the subject matter of the Amber Series (which I too love) I would highly recommend you check out The Gandalara Cycle. Should be right up your alley.

[Lise]

Lise - judging by your admiration for the subject matter of the Amber Series (which I too love) I would highly recommend you check out The Gandalara Cycle. Should be right up your alley.

Oooh! I meant to say that I *will*! Thanks for the tip! I'm going to look for them at the library.

I'm also a big fan of Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, for similar reasons. Certainly no problem with sexism in Pullman's work.