Lord Demon
Posthumously completed fantasy novel by Roger Zelazny.
Lord Demon is a fantasy novel by American author Roger Zelazny, finished after his death by Jane Lindskold in 1999. It is a "scientific" fantasy that explores themes Zelazny often returned to: the need to understand oneself, the importance of taking risks, and the acceptance of the emotional exposure that comes with deep passion. The story draws from East Asian, Irish, and hero's quest mythology. Its protagonist is a familiar Zelazny type: a sharp-tongued, cigarette-smoking intellectual who can be poetic but remains emotionally detached. He is capable of killing when angered, yet spends most of his time absorbed in art, poetry, and occasionally building alternate realities. He is also kind to the weak and deeply romantic in his dealings with women. Critic Charles de Lint praised the novel, saying Lindskold did "an exemplary job" of preserving Zelazny's gift for inventive storytelling, mythic characters that feel human, and intricate, enjoyable plotting. He called the book "a worthy farewell to one of the best writers this field has produced."
- author
- Roger Zelazny
- completing_author
- Jane Lindskold
- publication_year
- 1999
- genre
- Fantasy novel
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Scientific fantasy, themes of self-knowledge and risk-taking
Lore & Background
Lord Demon features Zelazny's signature protagonist: a smart-mouthed cigarette-smoking intellectual who can be poetic but is detached, and who is homicidal when angered, but more often immersed in art, poetry, and the occasional creation of alternate realities. The protagonist is also kind to the weak and deeply romantic in his approach to women. The novel draws on East Asian, Irish, and hero's quest myths.
Reader's Guide
Lord Demon is significant as a posthumous completion of Roger Zelazny's work by Jane Lindskold, who was praised by critic Charles de Lint for capturing Zelazny's gift of headlong invention, mythic characters made human, and deft, deliciously-convoluted plotting. De Lint characterized the novel as 'a worthy farewell to one of the best writers this field has produced.' The novel represents a continuation of Zelazny's favorite themes and his characteristic protagonist type, making it a notable entry in his bibliography and a testament to Lindskold's ability to preserve his style.
Did You Know?
- Lord Demon was completed by Jane Lindskold after Roger Zelazny's death.
- The novel is a 'scientific' fantasy drawing on East Asian, Irish, and hero's quest myths.
- Charles de Lint praised Lindskold for capturing Zelazny's headlong invention and mythic characters.
- The protagonist is a smart-mouthed, cigarette-smoking intellectual who is homicidal when angered but often immersed in art and poetry.
More in Novels by Roger Zelazny 1-24
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