a question : <Nine Princes in Amber>

[astron]

Hi, I'm reading Nine Princes in Amber. In chapter one, it read...

Laughing Boy's wristwatch told me it was five forty-four. The metal strut was inside my belt, under the white orderly jacket, and it rubbed against my hip bone as I walked. There was a ceiling fixture about every twenty feet, casting about forty watts of light.

Here, who is "Laughing Boy"? Is he a male nurse?

 

[Flavia]

Exactly.

And welcome to the Chrons!

 

[Giovanna Clairval]

Hi,


The entire first chapter is here:

Chapter 1 of Nine Princes--Dialogue and First Person narrative

 

[GOLLUM]

Good to see another convert join the ranks of a master...

 

[doc123]

if anyone read the books after the original ten (by John Gregory Betancourt) what did you think as compared to Zelazny's originals?

 

[Flavia]

I read the first one. It's a pale imitation, imho

 

[flygin]

Another convert to The Amber Chronicles. I can't stop reading. I had to be at work by 6:30 am, so I tried to go to bed early last night. I read until 1am, until I could barely keep my eyes open. I couldn't stop. I had to find out what happened. It's driving me crazy. I need sleep.

 

[Giovanna Clairval]

The Amber cycle is wonderful. Which one are you reading right now?

 

[flygin]

I have the giant collection, The Great Book of Amber: The Complete Amber Chronicles, 1-10. It's huge and heavy. I had no idea it was so big when I ordered it. I just finished book 5, I think. Corwin and Merlin have gone off together. I read the first few pages of the next chapter, and it seems Merlin focused. I'm wondering if I should take a break from it now, and come back. I've heard people say the Corwin focused books are a lot better. Any thoughts?

 

[hlywkar]

Does it have big pictures and big words?

 

[flygin]

I wish.

 

[Snowdog]

Most people prefer the Corwin books, but that doesn't mean the Merlin books aren't worth reading. No harm taking a break though. Personally I hate those huge books, I'd rather buy them seperately (second hand if necessary) than a massive compendium like that.

 

[Giovanna Clairval]

I've known people who cut that huge huge volume in two (physically). Or did I read this here?

And I agree with the Dog from the Snows, the Corwin cycle is better, by far, but the Merlin cycle deserves to be read as well. You'll find a few interesting developments concerning the Courts of Chaos theme.

 

[flygin]

I don't mind reading a long book, it's just heavy, and uncomfortable when I'm reading in bed. The way the book was advertised, I thought that the volumes would be separate. I don't know if I could bring myself to split it in half, though.

I think I am going to take a short break, and then start reading the Merlin cycle.

 

[easygoingman]

I've just started reading 'The Chronicles of Amber' and it's great fun full of imagination and adventure. I'm really enjoying it while Lord of Light was an excellent idea but confusing to read.
After reading The First Book of Lankhmar recently and Elric before that, my brain is very happy at the amazing quality of some fantasy out there

 

[Giovanna Clairval]

Some consider the Amber cycle pulp literature, and I couldn't desagree more, and say that Lord of Light is the best novel by RZ but, while I love the story, I've never been able to recall the synopsis. Beautiful, yes, but not so clear when it comes to the plot, isn't it?

 

[Ian Whates]

Some consider the Amber cycle pulp literature, and I couldn't desagree more, and say that Lord of Light is the best novel by RZ but, while I love the story, I've never been able to recall the synopsis. Beautiful, yes, but not so clear when it comes to the plot, isn't it?

Strange. I read Lord of Light many years ago (25...30?), yet I have no trouble remembering its inventive and wonderfully conceived plot whatsoever.

I love the Amber Cycle, especially the original five books, but at the same time would have to say that LoL remains my favourite single Zelazny, and is one of my favourite all-time reads.

 

[flygin]

I finished last night! I agree with you about the original five books. I liked the Merlin series, but I didn't think it really flowed from the original.

Funny, I'm having trouble remembering the synopsis of Lord of Light, too, and I just read it this summer.

 

[Giovanna Clairval]

Funny, I'm having trouble remembering the synopsis of Lord of Light, too, and I just read it this summer.

I read it twice...

My daughter read it, too, and said: "I loved it, but it's a bit confusing."

Of course, she loved RZ's voice, and the usual "big" theme of personal growth...

Well, I remember the premises (the idea/where the book starts), and the ending, but I can't remember the succession of events.
I've read a synopsis not long ago, and... sorry...

Maybe the darped thing is jinxed, although I can assure you that it didn't dissolve into thick air as soon as I finished it.
No. The book is still sitting sagely on its shelf.
When I look at it, I say to myself that I should read it again.

 

[easygoingman]

I read it twice...

My daughter read it, too, and said: "I loved it, but it's a bit confusing."

Of course, she loved RZ's voice, and the usual "big" theme of personal growth...

Well, I remember the premises (the idea/where the book starts), and the ending, but I can't remember the succession of events.
I've read a synopsis not long ago, and... sorry...

Maybe the darped thing is jinxed, although I can assure you that it didn't dissolve into thick air as soon as I finished it.
No. The book is still sitting sagely on its shelf.
When I look at it, I say to myself that I should read it again.

nice to know I'm not alone in not remembering Lord Of Light with 100% clarity. It's certainly a book I will try reading again though.
Currently Chronicles of Amber is addictive, it's so thoroughly readable I feel like a kid who can't stop eating sweets, just one more, just one more, only I can't stop turning the pages. Great writing!