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Donnerjack
In our world, called the Verite, he is a Scottish laird, an engineer, and a master of virtual reality design. In the computer-generated universe of Virtu, created by the crash of the World Net, he is a living legend. Scientist and poet with a warrior's soul, Donnerjack strides like a giant across the virtual landscape he helped to shape. And now he has bargained with Death himself for the return of love. The Lord of Entropy claimed Ayradyss, Donnerjack's beloved dark-haired lady of Virtu, with no warning, leaving a hole in the Engineer's heart. But Death offered to return her to him for a a palace of bones...and their first-born child. Since offspring have never before resulted from any union of the two worlds, Donnerjack accepts Death's conditions--and leads his reborn lover far from the detritus and perpetual twilight of Deep Fields to his ancestral Scottish lands, hoping to build a sanctuary and a self for Ayradyss in the first world. But there is no escaping, because cataclysmic change is taking place in Virtu. A bizarre new religion is sweeping through this ever-shifting universe where the homely can be virtually beautiful, the lame can walk and the blind can see. Now it's threatening to spill over into Verite. And its credo is a call for a different kind of order. For all the ancient myths still occupy Virtu. And the Great Gods on Mt. Meru are amassing great armies in anticipation of the time when a vast computer system attempts to take over the reality that constructed it.
592 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1997
12 people are currently reading
529 people want to read
About the author
Roger Zelazny
745 books3,884 followersRoger Joseph Zelazny was an American fantasy and science fiction writer known for his short stories and novels, best known for The Chronicles of Amber. He won the Nebula Award three times (out of 14 nominations) and the Hugo Award six times (also out of 14 nominations), including two Hugos for novels: the serialized novel ...And Call Me Conrad (1965), subsequently published under the title This Immortal (1966), and the novel Lord of Light (1967).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 28, 2021
This is the first of Zelazny's posthumous releases, coming out two years after his death. Zelazny started the book in '91, but set it aside to work on other projects. His original intent was to write a trilogy, but as his illness got worse and he realized he wouldn't be able to finish it, he consulted with his friend, biographer, and caretaker Jane Lindskold, whom he asked to finish it. She did, and as published (500 pages, 2 to 3 times the length of your typical Zelazny novel), this novel encompasses the scope, if not the details, or Zelazny's intended trilogy. Other reviewers have suggested that they can tell where Lindskold takes over the writing, but that idea is mistaken. She added to Zelazny's original manuscript, re-wrote parts, eliminated some, and moved chunks around. The first half of the novel, at least, has some bits that are definitely Zelazny, some that are Lindskold, and many that can't really be identified as the work of either author exclusively. The latter parts have far less of Zelazny's writing (though his ideas shine through), and the ending (maybe the last third) was written by Lindskold, based on conversations the two had. (He did not leave an outline for her, as has been suggested, but merely talked it out.) All of this I find somewhat unfortunate; if Zelazny had finished the story he set out to write, it very well might stand as one of his greatest books. As it is, it's a great concept & set-up, with a disappointing execution. The last 50-100 pages in particular were a big let-down. The first half or so of the book definitely deserves a 5-star rating, but the second half brings that down. (4 stars may even be a bit generous.)
So, what's the book all about? In the early chapters of the book, the reader is introduced to five or six different stories and sets of characters. All of these are brought together, some more successfully than others, by the end of this sprawling epic. The book is set in two different locales: Verite, which is our "real" world, and the Virtu, a virtual realm of what we would nowadays consider cyberspace. After Virtu had been created, it suffered a universal "crash," but reemerged as something not quite the same. Residents of Virtu are programs, but have taken on a life of their own. Some believe that Virtu was the original realm, and Verite the second, and that the "creators" of Virtu had merely "discovered" it. (There's a lot of mythology - one of Zelazny's frequent motifs - involved, as well.) People of Verite can cross over into Virtu, for any number of reasons (business, pleasure) that it was made for. Residents of Virtu feel they should be able to cross over into Verite, as well, and have been working on various ways to accomplish that. (How successful are they? That would be a spoiler, as it's a major plot point.) There's also a new religion started by the Virtuans (that, unfortunately perhaps, takes the form of several ancient mythologies of Sumer and Babylon).
Zelazny was reportedly unhappy with the then-new stories of cyberpunk, feeling that they didn't explore the idea of a virtual realm very well, and wanted to take some of those ideas to their logical extremes. I, for one, think he succeeded in that, all the more impressive today considering what the idea of cyberspace and the internet was at the time he began writing it. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to bring his ideas to complete fruition prior to his untimely death.
So, what's the book all about? In the early chapters of the book, the reader is introduced to five or six different stories and sets of characters. All of these are brought together, some more successfully than others, by the end of this sprawling epic. The book is set in two different locales: Verite, which is our "real" world, and the Virtu, a virtual realm of what we would nowadays consider cyberspace. After Virtu had been created, it suffered a universal "crash," but reemerged as something not quite the same. Residents of Virtu are programs, but have taken on a life of their own. Some believe that Virtu was the original realm, and Verite the second, and that the "creators" of Virtu had merely "discovered" it. (There's a lot of mythology - one of Zelazny's frequent motifs - involved, as well.) People of Verite can cross over into Virtu, for any number of reasons (business, pleasure) that it was made for. Residents of Virtu feel they should be able to cross over into Verite, as well, and have been working on various ways to accomplish that. (How successful are they? That would be a spoiler, as it's a major plot point.) There's also a new religion started by the Virtuans (that, unfortunately perhaps, takes the form of several ancient mythologies of Sumer and Babylon).
Zelazny was reportedly unhappy with the then-new stories of cyberpunk, feeling that they didn't explore the idea of a virtual realm very well, and wanted to take some of those ideas to their logical extremes. I, for one, think he succeeded in that, all the more impressive today considering what the idea of cyberspace and the internet was at the time he began writing it. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to bring his ideas to complete fruition prior to his untimely death.
October 23, 2014
I've stated many times that I don't care for the books Jane Lindskold did with Zelazny, but I'm changing my mind with this one. While it isn't as tight & twisty as his normal books, it is a very engaging read. He's blending legend/myth into virtual reality & SF in a unique manner. Truly an epic journey.
I finished it & am quite impressed.
I finished it & am quite impressed.
July 18, 2018
Get this one out of the library. This started out rough. I almost placed in not worth my time. but after the first 70 pages or so, it finally started to tell a story instead of read like a film description. It was tight, the story ran all the way to the end. Good action. The only part that really did not sound like it was written by the same person was Sayjak's tribe. The voice was different. If you like Zelazny's stories give it some time before you toss it aside as junk. But you need the junk at the beginning. I just wish it had read better and less like character background notes at the beginning.
January 14, 2020
A fast paced and intricately plotted quest drives this fascinating look at the real world, the virtual world and how they interact.
August 28, 2007
In Donnerjack, Zelazny writes his usual lean, fast prose and mashes together cyberspace, Scottish legends, and fantasy into a wonderful cake. In an early chapter a mother becomes a Banshee out of Celtic legend in order to protect her son from an internet-dwelling death god. To find the son, Death pulls together a hound out of deleted files, old bulletin boards, re-bar, wire, and data fragments.
The writing is lyrical, the action violent, and the characters super shallow. Science fiction it its best.
The writing is lyrical, the action violent, and the characters super shallow. Science fiction it its best.
June 16, 2009
I absolutely loved this book. One of the rare times I finished a novel and was sad that I reached the end. I didn't want it to end. I don't read novels a second time much, but I will be sure to do so with this one.
October 8, 2024
Zelazny, you did it again, wish you were around so I could thank you in person for this wonderful tale. See you in deep fields, king 🙏 😭
January 30, 2009
Loved this book, quite similar to Pratchet`s books
December 1, 2024
Since Zelazny has been hit or miss for me, I had hopes that the contributions of Lindskold to this one would keep it grounded (although I’ve yet to read anything else of hers) - and I think this was largely true.
There was still a touch of the somewhat too bizarre (the Brass Baboon, for example). Also, the beginning was rather disjointed with its attempts to launch each of the various subplots that would eventually intertwine. The least enjoyable of these was the crude and senseless story involving Sayjak, which also ended up having no consequence on the main plot, and in my opinion the book would have been better if that thread had been omitted entirely.
The main storyline, involving Donnerjack, Ayradyss, and later Jay and Alice, was nicely done and certainly compelling. The vision of the virtual world described here shares elements with the works of Stephenson, Gibson, and even Cline, though the influence would have to be reversed in the latter case. Then there’s a hint of Gaiman and others in the fantastical aspects, especially the personification of Death. But even given all that, this book manages to be its own thing, contributing a unique incarnation of the idea.
The ending introduces a few more contrived absurdities in a breathless rush through the climactic battles, but all in all I found it fairly enjoyable, a 3+.
There was still a touch of the somewhat too bizarre (the Brass Baboon, for example). Also, the beginning was rather disjointed with its attempts to launch each of the various subplots that would eventually intertwine. The least enjoyable of these was the crude and senseless story involving Sayjak, which also ended up having no consequence on the main plot, and in my opinion the book would have been better if that thread had been omitted entirely.
The main storyline, involving Donnerjack, Ayradyss, and later Jay and Alice, was nicely done and certainly compelling. The vision of the virtual world described here shares elements with the works of Stephenson, Gibson, and even Cline, though the influence would have to be reversed in the latter case. Then there’s a hint of Gaiman and others in the fantastical aspects, especially the personification of Death. But even given all that, this book manages to be its own thing, contributing a unique incarnation of the idea.
The ending introduces a few more contrived absurdities in a breathless rush through the climactic battles, but all in all I found it fairly enjoyable, a 3+.
June 11, 2020
An interesting take on Orpheus and Euridice which gets tied into a bigger plot where the ancient Babylonian gods who live in the universe of Virtu (essentially the Internet/Jungian collective mythology accessed by virtual reality) attempt to cross over into Verite (the "real" world) to rule over humanity.
The book starts out with a lot of very different plot lines and characters that eventually all come together to make a really fun story with a satisfying ending. Minus 1 star for the plot thread of the super violent monkey troop which I honestly just found completely irritating- I started skimming anytime Sayjak or his followers showed up... The book could have completely done without them and not really been any the worse.
The book starts out with a lot of very different plot lines and characters that eventually all come together to make a really fun story with a satisfying ending. Minus 1 star for the plot thread of the super violent monkey troop which I honestly just found completely irritating- I started skimming anytime Sayjak or his followers showed up... The book could have completely done without them and not really been any the worse.
March 22, 2018
This book is a sweeping epic for the modern era. There is a substantial cast of complex characters expertly woven together and never quite turning out as you expect. The virtual setting is very much an expanse for the imagination richly integrated with myth and mathematics. Indeed it is what I imagine Second Life should have been if it wasn't built before its time and mostly populated with deviants. The touch of the mythic is trademarked Zelazny although you can tell overall it was finished after his death. In places it stutters and was hard going and seemed over long but that is pretty much all that is keeping it from a 5 star rating.
March 12, 2018
This is one of two books that I know of that Jane Lindskold finished after Roger Zelazny's death. Unlike "Lord Demon," this book retains all the magic of Zelazny at his best. I don't know whether the book was mostly finished when he died or whether Lindskold somehow got in the groove that he was aiming for, but you need to read this book. Virtual reality, ghosts, resurrected or re-created gods, and a love story — what else could you want?
June 24, 2018
An interesting read that reminded me a bit of Tad William's Otherland series. Unfortunately, Zelazny passed away before completing it and the end shows it. It's rushed and leaves the reader wanting. Lots of philosophy is hinted at but never seems to get beyond that stage. However, there are some interesting ideas here that I have not seen in other works involving virtual realms. I can't wholeheartedly endorse it, but if you find it on discount or used, it might suit for an easy read.
April 17, 2020
One of the last (if not the very last) stories Zelazny wrote and reading it all these years later, it still holds together well. Zelazny's blend of magic and science with blurred boundaries between them almost anticipates movies like "The Matrix" in this tale of a very different virtual world existing and affecting the real one.
September 7, 2024
Донърджак е готов да воюва със смъртта за сина си: https://knigolandia.info/donnerjack/
Малко по-напред в бъдещето. Където човечеството е тераформирало малко от Луната и Марс, че и някои астероиди, но не научаваме нищичко повече за тая работа, защото, както и сега, виртуалната реалност е по-важна. Светът е поделен на две – реалността, Верите, и Вирту, странното и невероятно пространство, което сякаш от само себе си се е пръкнало след неочаквания и почти необясним крах (или еволюиране?) на глобалната интернет мрежа. Вирту, „най-великото дело на расата“, „портал към колективното подсъзнание на човешката раса – anima mundi, средоточието на архетипните митове“, в което хората влизат през нарочни вирткабини, а над отделните сайтове и райони властват всесилни локални изкуствени интелекти, наричани genius loci. А в центъра на този алтернативен свят се извисява планината Меру, където наред с ексцентричната математика, която го изгражда и защитава, бдят разни странни богове, сред които се отличават трите най-могъщи: Моребог, Небебог и Земея. Вечни, но и променими, неопознаваеми и неразбираеми… до едно време.
Издателска къща БАРД
https://knigolandia.info/donnerjack/
Малко по-напред в бъдещето. Където човечеството е тераформирало малко от Луната и Марс, че и някои астероиди, но не научаваме нищичко повече за тая работа, защото, както и сега, виртуалната реалност е по-важна. Светът е поделен на две – реалността, Верите, и Вирту, странното и невероятно пространство, което сякаш от само себе си се е пръкнало след неочаквания и почти необясним крах (или еволюиране?) на глобалната интернет мрежа. Вирту, „най-великото дело на расата“, „портал към колективното подсъзнание на човешката раса – anima mundi, средоточието на архетипните митове“, в което хората влизат през нарочни вирткабини, а над отделните сайтове и райони властват всесилни локални изкуствени интелекти, наричани genius loci. А в центъра на този алтернативен свят се извисява планината Меру, където наред с ексцентричната математика, която го изгражда и защитава, бдят разни странни богове, сред които се отличават трите най-могъщи: Моребог, Небебог и Земея. Вечни, но и променими, неопознаваеми и неразбираеми… до едно време.
Издателска къща БАРД
https://knigolandia.info/donnerjack/
February 8, 2018
The last work by Zelazey. Not one of his best. Possible written by the co-author since he died a ear before it came out. Just seemed to lack something. Pity, I really liked the rest of his work I had read.
Recently has re-read the whole Amber series. I found it in a library discard pile.
Recently has re-read the whole Amber series. I found it in a library discard pile.
May 9, 2023
The last book of the greatest sf writer ever lived.
So sad he died before he managed to finish this unique master piece.
Yet, lindscold made an amazing beautiful gesture and finished it for him to the request of his wife. Cheers!
So sad he died before he managed to finish this unique master piece.
Yet, lindscold made an amazing beautiful gesture and finished it for him to the request of his wife. Cheers!
March 11, 2019
great read
June 10, 2019
I really liked the idea of the world the most. The quality of the writing varied. The plot was not my favorite at times, but it did pleasantly surprise me and overall I enjoyed it.
February 21, 2020
Excellent pulp sci-fi. Conflict between Virt(ual) and Verite (normal) realities, with likable characters, saving the world, and a good sense of humor, even if it does not have a believable plot.
June 15, 2020
Excellent. I've read this several times and always enjoy it. The interplay between Virtu and Verite is always intriguing. What if it were to turn out to be so?
December 19, 2024
Zelazny u svom najboljem ruhu. Dosta se osjeti razlika u dijelovima koje nije on pisao.
Šteta da ova knjiga nije prevedena kod nas
Šteta da ova knjiga nije prevedena kod nas
March 7, 2017
An odd premise at first, but really engaging and thought-provoking. I enjoyed it.
May 1, 2020
This novel probably owes more to Lindskold than to Zelazny, who died during its writing. Quite a few Zelazny hallmarks are present, such as the strong characters and witty dialog. But there are also non-Zelaznys, such as the frequent expressions of doey-eyed love by various characters. This rather detracted from the novel to my taste.
The premise of the novel is that the world-wide computer system, which today we call the Internet, became a single alternate virtual reality. The programs in it often have their own intelligence and appear just like ordinary people -- except they are restricted to the virtual environment. This gives rise to many wonderful characters and settings, which exist somewhere in Virtu. Besides the main (human) characters, the cast includes a talking monkey, an old and powerful elephant, Death, and an ensemble of Scottish ghosts. Oh, and a new religion. Certainly enough to pique anyone's sense of wonder.
The premise of the novel is that the world-wide computer system, which today we call the Internet, became a single alternate virtual reality. The programs in it often have their own intelligence and appear just like ordinary people -- except they are restricted to the virtual environment. This gives rise to many wonderful characters and settings, which exist somewhere in Virtu. Besides the main (human) characters, the cast includes a talking monkey, an old and powerful elephant, Death, and an ensemble of Scottish ghosts. Oh, and a new religion. Certainly enough to pique anyone's sense of wonder.
April 12, 2013
I'm not sure if this is more or less disappointing than
Lord Demon
. On the one hand, Donnerjack is the better book. But on the other hand, that's because it had such great potential--potential which was never fully realized.
My major gripe here is the same as it was with Lord Demon--it seems fairly obvious when Jane Lindskold takes over primary writing duties, and I'm just not a fan of some of her choices when it comes to style and voice. Her characters are always joking/smiling at wildly inappropriate times, and far too often she pauses for a laugh (which everyone knows is a big no-no, unless you're doing stand-up comedy and have to pause just to wait for the audience to quiet down after a big punchline).
That being said, conceptually, Donnerjack is a book full of all the things I like: there's science fiction, mythology, and a whole bunch of different characters and concepts weaving together in a delightfully complex web. I'm hesitant to say any more than that, because I went into this book without knowing anything about it (I didn't even read the blurb on the dust jacket, which is an approach I'd recommend to potential readers here) and I positively loved trying to figure out what the heck was going on. It probably took me 50-80 pages to start sorting things out, and that was a delightful treat.
Overall, not one of Zelazny's best books. Not even his best collaboration. But man, did this thing have potential--it's a shame Roger didn't get to finish it, but the final product is worth reading anyway if you're a hardcore Zelazny fan.
My major gripe here is the same as it was with Lord Demon--it seems fairly obvious when Jane Lindskold takes over primary writing duties, and I'm just not a fan of some of her choices when it comes to style and voice. Her characters are always joking/smiling at wildly inappropriate times, and far too often she pauses for a laugh (which everyone knows is a big no-no, unless you're doing stand-up comedy and have to pause just to wait for the audience to quiet down after a big punchline).
That being said, conceptually, Donnerjack is a book full of all the things I like: there's science fiction, mythology, and a whole bunch of different characters and concepts weaving together in a delightfully complex web. I'm hesitant to say any more than that, because I went into this book without knowing anything about it (I didn't even read the blurb on the dust jacket, which is an approach I'd recommend to potential readers here) and I positively loved trying to figure out what the heck was going on. It probably took me 50-80 pages to start sorting things out, and that was a delightful treat.
Overall, not one of Zelazny's best books. Not even his best collaboration. But man, did this thing have potential--it's a shame Roger didn't get to finish it, but the final product is worth reading anyway if you're a hardcore Zelazny fan.
April 24, 2013
Моя читалка говорит, что на прочтение "Доннерджека" я потратила 10,8 часов с средней для меня скоростью чтения. Обычно на книги такого объему у меня не уходит больше 4 часов)))
А впечатления от нее похожи на синусоиду - то восторг-восторг-восторг, то ужас-ужас-ужас, то опять восторг-восторг-восторг. Если смотреть на книгу в целом - то мне понравилась идея смешения виртуальной реальности и истинной реальности, понравились привнесения мифов в эти самые реальности, но в мелочах кроется столько wtf вещей, что все впечатления скатываются вниз. И вообще - слишком всего много. Смешались в кучу кони, люди, призраки, Шотландия, Вавилон, Древняя Греция, мифы, истории, анекдоты, виртуальная реальность, настоящая реальность, церкви, религия, браслеты, кушетки, врачи, уфффффф, что еще, слоны, обезьяны, поезда, роботы, искусствененные интеллекты, программы. У вас еще не разболелась голова?
Такое ощущение, что было несколько идей, Желязны не знал куда с ними пойти и в итоге вот так все слил в одну кучу.
З.Ы. Отдельный пинок переводу книги - надеюсь, это я скачала какой-то полуфанатский, потому что таких перлов и ошибок я не встречала давно и было бы жаль за это еще и денег заплатить, а ведь как я была близка к покупке!
А впечатления от нее похожи на синусоиду - то восторг-восторг-восторг, то ужас-ужас-ужас, то опять восторг-восторг-восторг. Если смотреть на книгу в целом - то мне понравилась идея смешения виртуальной реальности и истинной реальности, понравились привнесения мифов в эти самые реальности, но в мелочах кроется столько wtf вещей, что все впечатления скатываются вниз. И вообще - слишком всего много. Смешались в кучу кони, люди, призраки, Шотландия, Вавилон, Древняя Греция, мифы, истории, анекдоты, виртуальная реальность, настоящая реальность, церкви, религия, браслеты, кушетки, врачи, уфффффф, что еще, слоны, обезьяны, поезда, роботы, искусствененные интеллекты, программы. У вас еще не разболелась голова?
Такое ощущение, что было несколько идей, Желязны не знал куда с ними пойти и в итоге вот так все слил в одну кучу.
З.Ы. Отдельный пинок переводу книги - надеюсь, это я скачала какой-то полуфанатский, потому что таких перлов и ошибок я не встречала давно и было бы жаль за это еще и денег заплатить, а ведь как я была близка к покупке!
January 19, 2012
Roger Zelazny died after writing an outline and the first few hundred pages of Donnerjack. It was subsequently finished posthumously by Jane Lindskold.
I’m not sure quite what to make of this book. On the positive side, the book contains elements of the multi-world environment he created for the Amber series, though this time they are set within the context of a computer generated virtual reality. On the negative ... the book is a complete mess. There are Scottish ghosts and virtual gods that take the form of cuttlefish, there’s a mammoth with an anger management problem, ape-men sporting erections, talking bracelets, religious fanatics with telekinesis and a train with a baboon face that shoots fireworks out of its ass as well as a bunch of other ridiculous crap that is coupled with an overly complex plot featuring about 300 different absurd characters.
Taken together, Donnerjack makes for a glorious, convoluted turd pile of epic proportions.
I’m not sure quite what to make of this book. On the positive side, the book contains elements of the multi-world environment he created for the Amber series, though this time they are set within the context of a computer generated virtual reality. On the negative ... the book is a complete mess. There are Scottish ghosts and virtual gods that take the form of cuttlefish, there’s a mammoth with an anger management problem, ape-men sporting erections, talking bracelets, religious fanatics with telekinesis and a train with a baboon face that shoots fireworks out of its ass as well as a bunch of other ridiculous crap that is coupled with an overly complex plot featuring about 300 different absurd characters.
Taken together, Donnerjack makes for a glorious, convoluted turd pile of epic proportions.
May 2, 2021
2.0 out of 5 stars
Good for the first half, but fizzles.
March 30, 2003
I agree wholeheartedly with the review here by Phil Thwing. Essentially, the book starts out in classic Zelaznyish fashion but suddenly shifts over to something else about half way through. Very disappointing. The first half is full of depth and then the second half turns shallow. About the only good thing you can say about the ending is that it seems to tie up all the threads. But, there's no satisfaction to it. I wish people would stop trying top publish a dead man's unfinished works. It just degrades his real legacy.
Good for the first half, but fizzles.
March 30, 2003
I agree wholeheartedly with the review here by Phil Thwing. Essentially, the book starts out in classic Zelaznyish fashion but suddenly shifts over to something else about half way through. Very disappointing. The first half is full of depth and then the second half turns shallow. About the only good thing you can say about the ending is that it seems to tie up all the threads. But, there's no satisfaction to it. I wish people would stop trying top publish a dead man's unfinished works. It just degrades his real legacy.
June 4, 2008
An interesting book that combines both high tech and old mythos. I had some trouble at first keeping all of the characters straight, but as the book went on they all found their place in the story. I ended up enjoying how there was this constant flow of interconnection between all the characters even though at first it seemed disjointed. The architechure of the worlds he created were also very interesting, oscillating between "Virtual" and "Real".
April 11, 2009
I really liked the first half or 2/3 of this book. It melded some complex virtual reality concepts with old school myths and did so with a lot of atmosphere, style and humor. By the end of the book, however, those style elements were gone, and the last 50 pages devolved into characters summarizing plot points (and character sketches) at each other. Dialogue doesn't get much more expository. On the whole it was still worth reading, though.
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