EYE OF CAT, A NOVEL BY ROGER ZELAZNY (BOOK REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION)

 Hello! Today I'm back with another vintage reading recommendation. Eye of Cat is a science fiction novel written by Roger Zelazny and published in 1982. I read this novel online, courtesy of a library whose name I forgot but I'm sure you won't have issues finding a library that has a digital copy of Eye of Cat. This novel was on my reading list for a while, together with a few works of this author that I haven't managed to read yet. Like many of Zelazny's work, this novel is closely tied with mythology.  Its protagonist is a man who has somewhat lost his connection to his culture, mythology and tradition, though. Moreover, the protagonist shall struggle to regain his identity throughout the story.

 Set in future, Eye of Cat is centered on a Navayo protagonist Billy Singer.  Larger than life protagonists are what Zelazny writes best and Billy is certainly such a character.  A novels also needs a plot. Therefore, the galaxy's most celebrated and skilled hunter, i.e our Billy Singer, find himself faced with a challenging task. I'll go into more detail into my review, but for now I can say that I really enjoyed this novel. The only downside to this novel that I can think of is that it doesn't include a cat character. In that sense, the title is somewhat misleading. On the other hand, the intelligent alien character nicknamed Cat is quite cat-like in some ways, so feline lovers needn't be too disappointed. However, if you're on set on a novel by this author that has an actual feline character, go for : A Night in Lonesome October. I cannot recommend that one enough, especially the audio version I listened to, in which the cat speaks with the most gorgeous Southern drawl imaginable. 

EYE OF THE CAT, A NOVEL BY ROGER ZELAZNY, 5/5

This novel is fairly fast paced. It doesn't take long for action to develop. Soon into the novel, the protagonist Billy is asked to use his hunting skills to protect an extremely important diplomatic mission. The kind of mission that has planets and galaxy peace at stake. Billy needs to protect somebody important from an attack of a powerful alien lady and he realizes he cannot do it alone. Billy needs the help of a telepathic metamorphic creature he captured a long time ago, mistaking him for an animal and not realizing that it was an intelligent being. The creature is not the one to forgive and forget, though. The alien is willing to help Billy but only at a price of his life- or rather having a chance to claim Billy's life. Cat agrees to help Billy protect the diplomatic mission but only if he lets Cat hunt him. Thus the hunter would become the hunted. However, Billy agrees because there is much at stake. Before the hunt and the chance of revenge, the two must work together to save the diplomatic mission. 

In some ways, Billy and Cat are much alike, both suffering from loneliness and isolation. Billy is depressed, quite possibly because he has strayed away from his Navajo roots and traditions. Billy is the last member of his family. Similarly, Cat is the last of its kind. Both are powerful but ultimately lonely and isolated individuals. I was particularly impressed with the character development in this one. The plot was well developed and kept me interested, but what really made me love this novel were the characters, the protagonist in particular. Besides Billy and Cat, there is a also a group of telepathic individual called in by the government to help with the protection of the diplomatic mission. These individuals are a big part of the story because their telepathic efforts play a quite significant role in the plot. They really get involved in the story, even risking their own lives. Furthermore, some parts of the novel are told from their point of view.

As the novel develops, its gets more and more mystical and really dives into Navajo mythology and tradition. Simultaneously, the author starts to use symbolism and poetry. Navajo traditions and tales get interwoven with the writing itself. Moreover, as the story progresses, we learn more and more about Billy. He has lost a woman he loved in a climbing accident. Billy blames himself for it. This tragedy seems to be one of the reasons why he lost connection to his Navajo identity. As Cat begins his hunt, Billy struggles to break free of his hunter and not just because Cat is extremely dangerous and skilled. In fact, the main reason is that Billy has lost his will to live. In order to save his life, Billy will have to reconnect with his Navajo identity. Will there be enough time? To find that out, you will have to read the novel yourselves. It's a great novel and well worth a read. Frankly, I think it's unfair how it is a bit underrated. The way the author handled Billy's character development was extremely skillful. Moreover, I loved learning about Navajo religion and traditions. Zelazny really made them a part of the story here. I would have liked for Cat's character to be a bit more developed, but perhaps he was intended to be clouded in mystery. 

Personally, I really enjoyed reading this book. It was unusual and original, especially towards the end when it got really mystical. On overall, reading Eye of Cat was a fantastic experience.

THE STORY OF MY OUTFIT- As usual, this outfit is all about being sustainable and it features clothing items I've had for a long time. I wore this outfit today for a coffee date with my significant other.

THE VINTAGE LEATHER JACKET- 21 WAYS TO WEAR A BLACK LEATHER JACKET 2021 WORN IN MARCH AND  APRIL  2022. ILLUSTRATED HERE and HERE!

THE NAVY PRINT DRESS- 10 WAYS TO WEAR HERE.

FINALLY, 

A LEATHER PAIR OF 

 HIGH BROWN BOOTS - HERE & HERE &HERE

 THE AUTHOR - ROGER JOSEPH ZELAZNY (1935- 1995)

Who was Roger Zelazny?  Born in United States of America (a son of a Polish immigrant Joseph and Irish-American Josephine), Roger Zelazny was an writer of science fiction and fantasy, mostly known for his science fiction/fantasy short stories and novels. Roger Zelazny also wrote some poetry and this influenced his prose works. Indeed, Zelazny was known to adapt lyrical style of writing. If you want to know more abut him,  consult his interviews for more information (for example here , here and here) or specific publications about his work. Zelazny's work was heavily influenced by his interest in mythology and history.  He is perhaps best know for The Chronicles of Amber, a series of ten novels, set in alternative reality. In his novels and shorts stories, Zelazny often mixed elements of fantasy and science fiction, sometimes bridging the gap between the two.  During his long career, he won many awards, including 3 Nebula Awards and 6 Hugo Awards. He was nominated 14 times for the Nebula and Hugo Award. 

Quoted from Wikipedia: "A very frequent motif in Zelazny's work is immortality or people who (have) become gods (as well as gods who have turned into people). The mythological traditions his fiction borrowed from include:

• Chinese mythology, in Lord Demon (with Jane Lindskold)
• Egyptian mythology, in Creatures of Light and Darkness
• Greek mythology, in ...And Call Me Conrad
• Hindu mythology, in Lord of Light
• Navajo mythology, in Eye of Cat
• Norse mythology, in The Mask of Loki
• Psychoanalysis, Arthurian mythos, Norse mythology and Kabbalah, in The Dream Master

Additionally, elements from Norse, Japanese and Irish mythology, Arthurian legend, and real history appear in The Chronicles of Amber. A Night in the Lonesome October involves the Cthulhu Mythos in a similar vein." End of quote https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Zelazny (7.1.2023.)

As some of you might know, I'm somewhat of a Zelazny fan. CHECK OUT OTHER WORKS BY ZELAZNY I RECOMMENDED IN MY POSTS: 

- A BOOK REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION: THIS IMMORTAL BY ROGER ZELAZNY
- READING UPDATE : R. ZELAZNY
-  BOOK OF THE DAY (LORD OF LIGHT, A NOVEL BY ROGER ZELAZNY)
-  A NIGHT IN LONESOME OCTOBER, A NOVEL BY ROGER ZELAZNY

- EYE OF THE CAT BY ROGER ZELAZNY (BOOK REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION)

As always, thank you for reading and visiting. Have a lovely weekend!