Lord of Light

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Roger Zelazny: Lord of Light (1987, Avon Books)

320 pages

Published Feb. 7, 1987 by Avon Books.

ISBN:
978-0-380-44834-0
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4 stars (6 reviews)

A colony of humankind is subjugated by the First Colonists, the crew of the starship that brought them to their new home 1000 years before. They have taken control of ancient technologies and enhanced themselves with godlike psychic powers and virtual immortality. Adopting the panoply of the venerable Hindu religion, they live lives as its Gods, surrounded by advanced technology within the trappings of a primitive civilization.

Our hero Sam, unready to battle the tyrannical forces of the Celestial City allied with his former wife, now the rapturous Kali, Goddess of Destruction. A story of the classic drama of power, love, honor, pride, and fantasy erupting in an epic war of the Gods and ultimate transcendence.

7 editions

Review of 'Lord of Light' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

I had some trouble getting into this book at first, but enjoyed it overall. Since I'm not very familiar with Hindu gods in general, it took some getting used to, but the story is really good. Technology plays a background role, woven into everyday life in mystical-sounding ways by a group of technology haves, who rule over the technology have-nots as gods. The "gods" seem quite convinced by their own godhood, raising interesting questions about human nature.