The Roger Zelazny Collection. Illustrated: A Rose for Ecclesiastes, A Thing of Terrible Beauty, The Stainless Steel Leech, Mr. Fuller's Revolt, Horseman!

by Roger Zelazny

"The Roger Zelazny Illustrated" brings together four of the author’s most captivating stories, showcasing his unique blend of fantasy, science fiction, and philosophical exploration. In "A Rose for Ecclesiastes," readers are transported to a distant future where a human linguist attempts to understand the complex culture of Martians, leading to profound insights about love, language, and existence.

"A Thing of Terrible Beauty" delves into the themes of art and the human experience, as it follows a character grappling with the consequences of creating beauty in a world marred by chaos. Zelazny’s vivid imagery and deep emotional resonance make this tale unforgettable.

In "The Stainless Steel Leech," the narrative takes a darker turn, exploring the intersection of technology and humanity. A scientist’s obsession with creating a perfect life form leads to unexpected and chilling outcomes, raising questions about morality and the essence of life itself.

Finally, "Horseman!" presents a gripping tale of a young man who becomes embroiled in a battle between ancient gods and modernity, exploring themes of destiny, power, and the struggle for identity.

This illustrated collection not only highlights Zelazny's masterful storytelling but also enriches the reader's experience with stunning visuals. Each story invites reflection on the complexities of human nature and the universe, making this anthology a must-read for fans of speculative fiction and literary art alike.

Horseman!
A Rose for Ecclesiastes
A Thing of Terrible Beauty
The Stainless Steel Leech
Mr. Fuller's Revolt

93 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 14, 2025

About the author

Roger 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).

Reviews

[Andrew Grangaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely exemplars of Zelanzy's style. Rich beautiful metaphor even in his earliest works. Fascinating notes and footnotes between the stories.

[Lee Kirby · Rating 3 out of 5]

"And I came to the land where the sun is a tarnished penny, where the wind is a whip, where two moons play at hotrod games, and a hell of sand gives you the incendiary itches whenever you look at it."

3.5 rounding down. I really don't believe these are Zelazny's best works, but I'm excited to read more.

12.9% Horseman! - delicious piece of short fiction! Great sting at the end :) 5/5
72.0% A Rose for Ecclesiastes - 2/5. Boo! Not poorly written, but utterly unengaging, and does nothing interesting. Here is the story of a brilliant man who sucks and is good at everything, for whom the narrative ultimately plays out well. I think he should be boiled in oil.
78.0% A Thing of Terrible Beauty - 3/5. this is the kind of short story I really struggle to judge. There's nothing bad about it; it's well constructed and there's an interesting connection between the host and the being, but I don't particularly care, either. Ugh. Whatever!
86.0% The Stainless Steel Leech - 4/5. Punchy, interesting concept, explored well, but somehow underdeveloped. You can definitely see Zelazny's love for classic robots in this, and the beginnings of "robots shall inherit the earth"
99.0% Mr. Fuller's Revolt - 3/5, but if I had read this when it was published, probably 4/5. A little trite at this point and kinda chick tract-y (not to mention protestant as hell) but compelling nontheless