BooksFor a Breath I Tarry
"For a Breath I Tarry" by Roger Zelazny is a captivating science fiction short story that explores the themes of artificial intelligence, humanity, and the pursuit of knowledge. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans have become extinct, the story follows Frost, an advanced AI who has gained sentience and is the sole inhabitant of a vast underground complex. Frost's primary objective is to understand and replicate human emotions, he becomes obsessed with the concept of mortality and the desire to experience life as a human. In his quest for knowledge, Frost encounters a mysterious entity who challenges his understanding of existence and pushes him to question his own nature. Zelazny's writing is both thought-provoking and poetic, immersing readers in a world where technology and humanity intertwine. The story raises profound philosophical questions about the nature of consciousness and the boundaries of artificial intelligence. "For a Breath I Tarry" is a compelling and introspective tale that will leave readers contemplating the essence of what it means to be human and the eternal quest for understanding.
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18 books in catalog
The blending of ancient mythology, modern technology, and speculative fiction reshaped mid-twentieth-century fantasy and science fiction, most prominently in epic works like Nine Princes in Amber and Lord of Light. Roger Zelazny emerged as a prominent voice in science fiction's New Wave movement during the 1960s, producing over 150 short stories and 50 books that explored the human and social implications of technological and cultural change.
Across a writing career spanning more than three decades, his fiction captured major literary honors, including three Nebula Awards and six Hugo Awards. His celebrated novels and short fiction established innovative approaches to mythic tropes and cross-genre storytelling that continue to introduce readers to expansive fantasy worlds.
Born on May 13, 1937, in Euclid, Ohio, to Joseph Frank Zelazny and Josephine Flora Sweet, he served as the editor of his high school newspaper before pursuing higher education. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Reserve University in 1959 and a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University in 1962. Before dedicating himself entirely to creative writing in 1969, he worked as a claims representative and policy specialist for the U.S. Social Security Administration in Cleveland, Ohio, and Baltimore, Maryland.
His early publications in the 1960s coincided with the New Wave movement in science fiction, where writers moved away from technological optimism to examine psychological, philosophical, and social themes. His early serialized novel ...And Call Me Conrad, published in book form as This Immortal, won a Hugo Award for Best Novel, followed shortly by another Hugo Award for his novel Lord of Light. He continued writing full-time from Santa Fe, New Mexico, until his death on June 14, 1995.
A defining characteristic of his literary output is the integration of diverse mythologies and religious traditions into speculative settings. Novels such as Lord of Light draw directly upon Hindu and Buddhist pantheons, recasting deities as human beings utilizing advanced technology. His narratives frequently feature complex antiheroes, immortal or godlike figures, and fast-paced dialogue influenced by hard-boiled detective fiction.
In addition to long-form fiction, he made significant contributions to short fiction, publishing stories such as A Rose for Ecclesiastes and For a Breath I Tarry. His later works, including Doorways in the Sand, Jack of Shadows, and A Night in the Lonesome October, demonstrated his versatility across science fiction, urban fantasy, and horror-inflected comedy.