Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of Lord of Light
Science Fiction· United States

Lord of Light

by Roger Zelazny
Aggregate Editorial Score55/100
★Hugo Award
Published 1968280 pagesEnglish
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

Few works of science fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that Lord of Light (1968) by Roger Zelazny continues to receive. Colonists of a future world have used advanced technology to take on the roles of Hindu gods in Zelazny's baroque, inventive Hugo Award winner. Sam, a rebel who refuses the role of god assigned to him, leads a revolt against the divine order in a novel that is simultaneously science fiction and Hindu mythology. Themes of religion, technology, revolution run through the work. The book has received recognition from Hugo Award 1968.

Book Details

AuthorRoger Zelazny
Published1968
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages280
Category🚀 Science Fiction
ISBN9780380014033
Editorial Score55/100
About the Category

🚀 Science Fiction

Speculative fiction exploring technology, space, the future, and society.

Explore all Science Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United States →

Editorial Assessment

Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny sits within the tradition of science fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1968 in United States, it engages with religion, technology, revolution, Hindu mythology in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Among its recognitions: Hugo Award 1968. Its aggregate editorial score of 55/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. What distinguishes Lord of Light is how it handles its central concerns — religion, technology, revolution, Hindu mythology — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Within United States's literary landscape, Roger Zelazny occupies a significant position. Lord of Light is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Hugo Award
winner · genre
196842
✍️
About the Author
Roger Zelazny
United States
View Author →

Roger Zelazny is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of science fiction.

The Happiness Blueprint
New Release by Peter Burchardt
The Happiness Blueprint
Your Evolutionary Guide to Joy, Purpose, and Lasting Well-Being
Happiness isn’t a destination — it’s a blueprint written in your DNA.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of The Road
literary-fiction

The Road

Cormac McCarthy· 2007
★Pulitzer Prize★Hugo Award
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of Never Let Me Go
literary-fiction

Never Let Me Go

Kazuo Ishiguro· 2017
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score91/100
Cover of The Power
science-fiction

The Power

Naomi Alderman· 2016
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score90/100
Cover of The Dispossessed
science-fiction

The Dispossessed

Ursula K. Le Guin· 1975
★Hugo Award★Nebula Award
Editorial Score83/100
Cover of The Blind Assassin
literary-fiction

The Blind Assassin

Margaret Atwood· 2000
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score82/100
Cover of Ender's Game
science-fiction

Ender's Game

Orson Scott Card· 1986
★Hugo Award★Nebula Award
Editorial Score82/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lord of Light about?

Colonists of a future world have used advanced technology to take on the roles of Hindu gods in Zelazny's baroque, inventive Hugo Award winner. Sam, a rebel who refuses the role of god assigned to him, leads a revolt against the divine order in a novel that is simultaneously science fiction and Hindu mythology.

Who wrote Lord of Light?

Lord of Light was written by Roger Zelazny, from United States. First published in 1968.

What awards has Lord of Light won?

Lord of Light has received the following awards and honours: Hugo Award 1968.

Is Lord of Light worth reading?

Lord of Light is a notable work that has earned critical attention, with an aggregate editorial score of 42/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in religion, technology, revolution.

Where can I buy Lord of Light?

You can buy Lord of Light on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Lord of Light?

Lord of Light is classified as Science Fiction. Speculative fiction exploring technology, space, the future, and society.

What country is Lord of Light from?

Lord of Light originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

🚀More Science FictionBrowse all Science Fiction books🇺🇸Books from United States🇺🇸 United States literature📅1960s BooksPublished in the 1960s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time