Roger Zelazny "The Chronicles of Amber"

At the beginning of the first book, the protagonist wakes up inhospital. He does not remember his name and how he got here, but he firmly believes that no one can keep him in the hospital ward against his will. After escaping, he tries to find out who he really is. And then strange events begin to happen to him ...

Recovering memory with the help of his brotherRandom, he remembers that his name is Corwin, and he is one of the nine princes of Amber, the eternal city, the greatest state that ever existed. Then Corwin decides to take part in the struggle for the throne and overthrow his elder brother Eric to become King Amber. Will he succeed in doing this?

"The Chronicles of Amber" Roger Zelazny gained their popularity not only thanks to an exciting story, bright characters or polished style. In the "Chronicles" Zelazny created the whole universe, unique and not similar to all the others. The center of this universe is Amber, the eternal city, the only true reality. All other worlds (including the one we live in) are just the Reflections that Amber discards. And to maintain the balance of Amber, absolute order, the Court of Chaos resists - absolute Chaos.

The origin of Amber, Reflections and the Labyrinth, which empowers the members of the royal family of Amber with the ability to move between the Reflections, is covered in mystery. Will the heroes of the book reveal this secret or Amber will remain in their submission (and the view of the reader) as an eternal city without a beginning and an end?

The series "Chronicles of Amber" consists of two parts. First part, "The Pentateuch of Corvinus", tells about the adventures of Corwin, the son of King Oberon, Crown Prince Amber. It includes five books:

• 
  "Nine princes of Amber"
• 
  "Avalon Rifles"
• 
  "Sign of the Unicorn"
• 
  "The hand of Oberon"
• 
  "The Courtyard of Chaos"

The second part, "The Pentateuch of Merlin", introduces us to the son of Corwin, Merlin. It also consists of five books:

• 
  "Maps of fate"
• 
  "The Blood of Amber"
• 
  "Sign of Chaos"
• 
  "Knight of Reflection"
• 
  "The Prince of Chaos"

"The Chronicles of Amber" is true masterpiece of fiction, which deserves your attention.

Quotations from the book

"I do not even know if I want any greatness at allsuch. It's like trying to be an inventor instead of actually inventing something, or being a writer instead of writing. Also with greatness - it is a by-product, not a thing in itself. Anyone who thinks otherwise is just a narcissistic egotist or an eerie fool, which, however, is one and the same. "

"- You know, I feel myself a secondary actor in melodrama, who languishes behind the scenes, not really knowing what is happening on stage.

"I understand perfectly," I said. - My own role makes me sometimes rush to find the author of this idiotic play. And you try to look at the matter differently: mysterious stories are rarely as you imagine them. As a rule, everything turns out to be simple and easy, and when the truth is revealed, there are only motives - there is nowhere more primitive. Sometimes it is much more pleasant to guess and stay in illusions. "

"The ego, as I see it, exists on the vergerationality and reflexive being. Erasing it, destroying it means taking a step back. If you came out of this Absolute - what then, you ask, hurry back? Do you despise yourself so much that you are afraid to look in the mirror? Went out - so why not walk with the mind? Develop. Learn. Live. If you were sent on a trip, why jump on the run from the train and run back to the departure station? "