Donnerjack

Donnerjack is a science fiction novel begun by American author Roger Zelazny; completed by his companion Jane Lindskold after his death, it was published 1997.^[1]

The original title of the book was "Donnerjack, of Virtú". Initially, Zelazny intended for it to be the first of an ambitious trilogy, with the two sequels tentatively named "The Gods of Virtú" and "Virtú, Virtú". All three installments were meant to be at least as long as "Lord of Light". Zelazny completed a few hundred pages of the first novel and left detailed notes for the remainder, which Lindskold completed, attempting to write in his style.^[2] Its description of the virtual world of Virtu has been considered as prefiguring the modern internet.^[3]

Plot

The book combines gods with high technology.^[4] The book revolves around parallel worlds, Virtu and Verite, the former virtual reality, the latter our own world.^[5] Computers have gone independent in a Virtual Reality that contains many elements borrowed from myth and legend. Death features as a major character, and the hero must rescue his lady-love from him. Other actual and virtual myth-figures come into it.

It is not connected with Jack of Shadows written by Zelazny years before.

Critical response

Kirkus found it overcomplicated and in need of editing, but full of ideas.^[4]

SF Site gave it a positive review.^[2] In contrast, SF Reviews rated it 0/5: "awful".^[6]

References