Obsessed with Zelazny’s Amber: Recent Episodes
Jonathan Knight
A deep dive into my obsession with Roger Zelazny’s The Chronicles of Amber. In this podcast, I'll walk through each of the first five books, sharing all the great moments. I'll go deep into all the layers of meaning, the references, and the allusions. Join me in celebrating what makes these books so great.
The final chapter of Blood of Amber. In this short episode, we'll wrap things up for the 2nd book of the 2nd series. A great nod to Alice and Wonderland, a so-so cliffhanger that feels a bit too much like the end of Trumps of Doom, but all in all, we'll talk about the merits of this solid Merlin book.
We cover both chapters 10 and 11 in this episode, as Merlin executes his rescue operation at the Keep of the Four Worlds. The Bill Roth stuff stretches credulity, but we get some nostalgic Amber locations, and some great allusions and references, including more Hamlet, and some 20th century folk songs.
We'll cover chapters 7, 8 and 9 in this episode, as Merlin finally formulates a plot of his own -- rescue Jasra, and get leverage over Luke. We'll dive into Luke's past as Rinaldo, introduce Jurt more fully, and unpack the sequence of flashbacks in chapter 9.
In chapter 6 of Blood of Amber, Zelazny infamously drops a bombshell about the genealogy of the House of Amber. We'll dive into the inconsistencies surrounding Caine's mother, the lost siblings of Sand and Delwin, and Zelazny's botched attempt to patch it all up with fans. Meanwhile, Luke tries the ultimate sales pitch on Merlin.
In this episode, we'll discuss Merlin's flashback that reveals the complexity of the timeline of his childhood in the Courts. He later arrives by boat into Baylesport, then goes to Arbor House to have an information swap with the mysterious Vinta Bayle.
In this memorable chapter, Merlin walks from the Palace down to the Harbor district, and we are shown a completely different version of Amber than we've ever seen before. It's fun, but somewhat of a departure from the Corwin series.
In this episode, we cover chapters 2 and 3. This is great material that paints a sprawling picture of Jasra, Rinaldo, Brand, Kasha and the Keep of the Four Worlds. We'll dive into the sequence of events that bridge Brand's conspiracy to the present Merlin troubles.
I'll discuss why Blood of Amber is my favorite of the 5 Merlin books, and how the publisher asked Zelazny for a prologue. And we'll cover the opening sequences of this next book in the Chronicles of Amber, including Zelazny's awkward attempt at revisionist history for his female characters.
In this final episode covering Trumps of Doom, we'll hear from the author on his process. Then, in the concluding two chapters of the book, Merlin and Luke team up in a somewhat complicated relationship, as Merlin shatters the stereotype of the untrusting Prince of Amber. I'll share some closing thoughts, and quote from a review of this first book in the Merlin series.
In this chapter we'll discuss the funeral of Caine, and the updated geography of Amber. Also, does Amber really have a religion? And we'll dive into Ghostwheel, an early version of GenAI for Shadows.
Let's hear from Zelazny about this first Merlin book, before diving into this chapter in which Merlin trumps to Amber with Bill Roth, and we return to the palace for the first time since the beginning of The Courts of Chaos. I'll discuss my impressions of how the classic Amberites are re-introduced to fans, and discuss ways in which the general vibe of Amber has changed since the Corwin books.
In this episode we cover the re-introduction of Bill Roth, a couple of literary references, and the growing complications of the plot. I will also share my strong views on "palace" versus "castle."
In this love letter to Santa Fe, Merlin, and the writing, both, take a detour, as Zelazny struggles to move the plot forward in a clear way. We learn a little about Ghostwheel, and there is a strange new character Dan Martinez, who knows about Amber.
In this episode, we introduce Jasra and go deep into her storyline. Merlin confronts the Sphinx, and we'll discuss Cuisinarts. By the end of chapter 4, there are multiple sub-plots to track, as Merlin makes his way to Melman's apartment for the 3rd time.
In this next chapter, Merlin focuses his energies on the mysterious occultist and painter, Victor Melman, and the plot thickens.
In this short episode, we go deep into Chapter 2, including Merlin's assessment of his newfound trump cards, and an exploration of a Faustian allusion.
Welcome back to the podcast! I'm picking up with the Merlin series, diving into all the details, starting with a look at the circumstances surrounding the novel, and how the Merlin books differ from the Corwin books. Spoiler alert!
Join me for the final installment of the All Roads Lead to Amber series. We'll cover the last references and allusions, including Alice in Wonderland and Lolita. And we'll finish with two Zelazny experts and their answers to the question: "What is Roger Zelazny's legacy"?
This episode covers Chapters 10 and 11 of The Courts of Chaos, including Corwin's arrival at the battle that will eventually be known as the Patternfall War. He teleports from his newly created Pattern, encounters and dispatches Borel, then joins his family in an effort to stop their evil brother Brand from destroying everything. It's an incredibly cinematic crescendo to the series. Let's unpack the action and the drama!
As Corwin comes to the end of his epic journey from Amber to Chaos, we will dive into the meaning behind encounters with Hugi, Ygg, the Head, the Jackal, and more, as Zelazny dabbles in references from Norse Mythology to Dante's Inferno. Having failed to reach the Courts ahead of the Storm, Corwin finally decides to inscribe his own Pattern, which triggers a look-back over this life, and references to his time on Shadow Earth. When Brand takes the Jewel from him, all hope appears lost.
In one of the most introspective sections of the entire series, Corwin has his encounter with Lady. We'll discuss how this scene is a John Keats poem come to life out of the subconscious of our hero. After, Corwin has another showdown with Brand in a red-on-red world.
In this episode, we consider an overview of Corwin's entire journey through shadow to the Courts of Chaos, and dive deeper into the first few episodes. He wins his first two encounters with Brand, as Zelazny floats a number of historical and literary references, including a poem by W.B. Yeats.
It's Brand against the family, as Oberon works behind the scenes to set up the showdown in Tir-na Nog'th. At the same time, Martin is returned to Amber, but as something of a Trojan horse. In this episode we cover the final two chapters of The Hand of Oberon, leading up to perhaps the largest reveal of the entire series.
Corwin returns to Shadow Earth, and we'll discuss Bill Roth in more detail. Joined by Fiona, Corwin then journeys to the Primal Pattern to challenge Brand. In the episode we address the question, how big is the Jewel of Judgment? And I will share some thoughts about Caine's ambitions.
Corwin is putting the pieces together, and confronts Brand. Later, he reunites with Benedict, gets a fresh perspective on Eric, and reaches a new understanding with Julian. The characters are changing, Corwin is evolving, and we will discuss how these pivots make us hopeful for the Royal House of Amber.
Corwin dives deeper into the origin story of Amber, and makes a short trip to The Courts of Chaos. Even more complexity is introduced with regards to time differentials and timelines.
With the introduction of Martin, we will analyze more of the timeline of events leading up to Corwin's story. As random goes to look for his sone, Corwin head back to Amber, and has an epiphany talking with Vialle. He then revisits his old jail cell, and locates Dworkin. In this episode, we also explore the cameo of "Roger", the guard in the dungeon writing a novel.
With this episode, we introduce the fourth book of the Corwin chronicles: The Hand of Oberon. The story picks up where it left off at the end of Sign of the Unicorn, as Corwin begins to understand the nature of reality, and origin of the Black Road, and the nature of challenge that Amber now faces.
As we barrel toward the conclusion of Sign of the Unicorn, in one of the best chapters in the whole series, we mainly tackle the issue of the line of succession to the throne in Amber.
With this episode, we unpack Corwin's evening in Tir-na Nog'th... the implications for geography, the confusing backstory of Grayswandir, and the references to Irish mythologies.
Corwin and Brand recover from stab wounds in parallel, as Corwin makes an astounding return to Shadow Earth to learn key facts surrounding the mysteries of Amber's troubles. Corwin's first full-length encounter with Brand complicates the timeline even more.
Across chapter 7 of Sign of the Unicorn, we begin to unpack the critical timelines surrounding the period when Amber's troubles begin, as Corwin steps back to evaluate what he knows and doesn't know. Why did Brand disappear? What's the relationship to Oberon's disappearance? How far back did the plotting for the throne begin? What's the relationship between the damaging of the Pattern, the Black Road, and Corwin's curse? Zelazny spun a complex plot, and we'll do our best to get our heads around it.
As Sign of the Unicorn moves into chapters 5 and 6, Gerard makes a dramatic point, and the title of the book reveals itself in the Grove of the Unicorn. Later in the palace, the remaining living family gathers in the library for what becomes a Whodunnit mystery. When Brand is returned, all hell breaks loose.
In this second episode covering Sign of the Unicorn, we cover Corwin's attunement to the Jewel, and his long-awaited "second scene" with Flora. We'll dive into the references that shed light on Corwin's and Flora's relationship to the French Aristocracy just before the Revolution.
Welcome to book 3: Sign of the Unicorn -- my favorite book of the series. In this episode, we'll first dive into what makes this book unique from the other books, and then examine chapters 1 and 2 for literary and historical references, while piecing together the timeline leading up to the start of the Corwin chronicles.
In this concluding episode of Book 2, we will first cover some corrections and additions to this podcast series to date, including some literary references. And then we'll dive head first into the final chapter of The Guns of Avalon, the dramatic conclusion to Corwin's revenge story, as the plot of the Chronicles of Amber explodes onto a much bigger canvas.
In this episode, we cover chapters 7 and 8 of The Guns of Avalon -- the flight of Corwin and Ganelon from Avalon, the encounter with the Black Road, Benedict's chase, and finally Corwin's first return to his house in New York since his car accident. We'll dive into the timeline, the references to real people and places from Shadow Earth.
Next we are introduced to Dara, a mysterious new character, as Corwin furthers his plans to build an army of rifleman. We look into both historical and literary references across Chapters 5 and 6 of The Guns of Avalon.
The super memorable encounter with Benedict, the long-lost elder brother of Corwin. A pivotal scene in the books, as Corwin becomes a third point on the triangle between himself, Amber, and Chaos.
In this episode we span chapters 3 and 4 of The Guns of Avalon, including the defeat of the Dark Circle, the death of Lorraine, the shadow walk to Avalon, ending with the incredible revelation of the eldest brother: Benedict.
Let's talk about the horror movie that is the early part of The Guns of Avalon. We'll discuss the deeper references to Hamlet, and tackle other questions around the mysterious character of Lorraine. Later, Corwin kills another demon, and prepares to kill a lot more.
In this episode we'll go deeper into the overlap between this book and the Arthurian Legends. And we will finally meet Ganelon, and unpack the reference to the French legend of Ganelon, the villain in The Song of Roland. We also meet Corwin's next love interest, Lorraine.
With this episode, we kick off "Season 2", the second book in the series: The Guns of Avalon. We'll discuss Zelazny's mindset heading in, what sets this novel apart from Nine Princes, and the parallels with the Arthurian Legends. And in the second half of this episode, we'll talk about the troubles of time differential. Book two, let's go!
In this short, final chapter of Nine Princes in Amber, we dive into the development of Corwin's character following his escape. How is Jopin like Bill Roth? And we set up the ultimate revenge story to come.
In this episode, we delve into Corwin's "days of darkness", his solitude, and the visits from Rein. We'll go deep into Corwin's timeline on Shadow Earth. And then we turn to Corwin's (chance?) meeting with Dworkin. We ask, what were Dworkin and Oberon cooking up at this point in the timeline? And of course, Corwin makes his escape.
Here we dive deep into Chapter 7 and the first half of Chapter 8. These are incredible action sequences -- the march toward, and the assault on, the city of Amber atop Kolvir. We will follow Corwin and Bleys, step by step, bloodbath by bloodbath, and consider what might be going on with Bleys' cabal and Eric's cabal, around this time -- things of which Corwin is completely ignorant. What were Eric's motivations at this point? Did Corwin write Greensleeves? And of course we'll cover the coronation, and the blinding.
Corwin leads a failed attack by sea, Bleys marches on Amber by land. Corwin shows empathy as their soldiers are slaughtered by the thousands, in this Vietnam-era fantasy book. We'll learn more about Shadow, Substance, the Trumps, Dworkin... and we'll get introduced to the Jewel of Judgment.
With the middle and end sections of Chapter 5, and the walking of the Pattern, we get an intense amount of references to Corwin's life on Shadow Earth. We'll ask, was Corwin a nazi? Then he goes to Amber proper and fights his brother Eric, and we finally meet the elusive character of Bleys.
We will dive into the geographical map of Amber, as Corwin journeys to the undersea kingdom of Rebma. Then, this first part of chapter 5 doles out a spectacular amount of lore and references to mythology, as Zelazny plants a whole field of seeds for future plot twists.
In this segment, we dive deep into the second half of chapter 4, as Random and Corwin encounter their siblings Julian and Deirdre. We'll dive into the lore behind the horse Morgenstern, the possible meaning of Corwin's silver rose, and the source for the name "Deirdre". We'll ask why guns and gasoline work in the Forest of Arden? And then, Corwin makes his confession.
In this episode, we dive into Chapter 4, the longest chapter of the novel. Random enters the fray, and he and Corwin embark upon the Road to Amber.
This episode covers the incredible third chapter of Nine Princes in Amber, as Corwin learns more about his brothers and sisters. We'll take a deep dive into the Tarot and Trumps, and hear about Zelazny's inspiration in his own words. And we'll ask, would Flora really drink Jack Daniels?
An introduction to my Obsession with Zelazny's Amber, and a deep dive into chapters 1 and 2 of Nine Princes in Amber. This podcast is for the hard core Amber fans out there!