Roger Zelazny

On an Earth ravaged by nuclear holocaust and joined insignificantly to an intergalactic empire, immortal Conrad Nomikos has seen it all. Due to radiation, he has lived centuries. But his life may be cut short when a plot to kill a visiting journalist involves Conrad's tour of the small blue planet.

This Immortal

Kelsey Lynn

(12.5/63+) In my Hugo Read-Through
         This Immortal By Roger Zelzany won the Hugo for Best Novel in 1966. It tied with  Dune by Frank Herbert. It was originally published in the October and November issues of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in 1965 under the much better title of  and call me Conrad  This title is not only more interesting but far more fitting. I opted to read the original serialized version that was abridged and technically the official winner. I really was looking forward to this book based on reviews and because of how intriguing it was that a story of its size tied with such a large book as Dune. This was an unfortunate mistake. Having read Dune and experienced such an eoic, and so much story this book felt a little bit like a let down, it also felt choppy and more like a outline to me. however the main character and the general idea of this book was great, supporting my theory of the Hugo Award big an idea award not always a good writing award in that way it deserves it's tie.
   The book follows a character who has lived many lived and for many many years, who currently calls himself conrad. He has lived through and remained on earth after an apocalyptic 'The Three Days' that essentially made the earth and giant Hotspot ridden ruin. Since these days a more advanced alien race called the Vegans have wooed in and attempted to turn the planet into a museum of sorts, making resorts and buying up land on the planet. However humans didn't like this, rebelled and the Vegan use of the earth has ceased. Our story follows Conrad as he leads a Vegan who is writing book on a tour of the earth ruins. He must guide this vegan as well as keep him safe from the hot spot mutants that have sprouted up and the people who worry the vegan is here to ell the planet again and want him dead.
         The plot is intriguing enough, and heavily hints at the creation of new mythical beings from radiation, however the plot feels so choppy and disjointed it was hard to keep up with. It felt like an outline for the story, waiting for the author to fill in the gaps. Too much would happen in some cases, too little in others it felt all over the place. Also even though I'm well versed in Greek mythology the amount of reference to it was overwhelming. It was almost every sentence.

         The main character Conrad, made the story for me, he was quirky and lovable, imperfect and just a fun read. Most of the characters seemed well developed and realized and only a few felt trivial. I wanted to know the entire history of Conrad. Unfortunately his character wasn't enough to make the book an easier read for me,
        
 in conclusion
I'm bummed to say that this one just didn't resonate with me. It felt to choppy and too much like an outline. I wanted to like it and really looked forward to it. I believe it deserves it's win, however as far as writing goes it paled in the shadow of Dune.
"..and seriously, call me Conrad"

This Immortal

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