Amazon.com
In this cycle of 14 bittersweet stories, Walter Mosley breaks out of the genre--if not the setting--of his bestselling Easy Rawlins detective novels. Only eight years after serving out a prison sentence for murder, Socrates Fortlow lives in a tiny, two-room Watts apartment, where he cooks on a hot plate, scavenges for bottles, drinks, and wrestles with his demons. Struggling to control a seemingly boundless rage--as well as the power of his massive "rock-breaking" hands--Socrates must find a way to live an honorable life as a black man on the margins of a white world, a task which takes every ounce of self-control he has.
Easy Rawlins fans might initially find themselves disappointed by the absence of a mystery to unravel. But it's a gripping inner drama that unfolds over the pages of these stories, as Socrates comes to grips with the chaos, poverty, and violence around him. He tries to get and keep a job delivering groceries; takes in a young street kid named Darryl, who has his own murder to hide; and helps drive out the neighborhood crack dealer. Throughout, Mosley captures the rhythms of Watts life in prose both musical and hard-edged, resulting in a haunting look at a life bounded by lust, violence, fear, and a ruthlessly unsentimental moral vision.
Book Description
New York Times bestselling author Walter Mosley introduces an "astonishing character" (Los Angeles Times Book Review) in this acclaimed collection of entwined tales. Meet Socrates Fortlow, a tough ex-con seeking truth and redemption in South Central Los Angeles -- and finding the miracle of survival.
"I either committed a crime or had a crime done to me every day I was in jail. Once you go to prison you belong there." Socrates Fortlow has done his time: twenty-seven years for murder and rape, acts forged by his huge, rock-breaking hands. Now, he has come home to a new kind of prison: two battered rooms in an abandoned building in Watts. Working for the Bounty supermarket, and moving perilously close to invisibility, it is Socrates who throws a lifeline to a drowning man: young Darryl, whose shaky path is already bloodstained and fearsome. In a place of violence and hopelessness, Socrates offers up his own battle-scarred wisdom that can turn the world around.
Customer Reviews:
Readable, not great, 3 stars.......2007-05-23
A collection of stories (some are more like character sketches) is just not as compelling as a book with one story would be, but the main character is interesting and the book is well-written and not as bleak as it might be. The author likes his protagonist, and you probably will, too, an ex-con with a strong moral code and no inhibition about expressing it. Made me want to read the author's other books, so it can't be too bad.
Great Book.......2007-02-05
I really enjoyed this book. Mosley is a great talent and his writing is though provoking and insightful. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 star rating is because I felt there was something lacking. I wanted to feel like there was some kind of conflict and there wasn't. It was preachy--in a good way- but if given a definite plot or pushed a little more in a definite direction it would have been an amazing book. Even the constant reminder of his rape and murder convictions didn't create enough conflict. His goodness outweighed his crime and eventually with every mention, I got this "haven't we all" feeling. It was as if he was confessing to stepping on ants. Overall though, I would suggest reading it, just because Mosley has an amazing honest voice in his writing and I love the passion he gives his characters.
Socrates Fortow: a man of character, we should all learn from his example.......2006-09-20
Socrates is a man trying to recover from his past mistakes. The story begins 8 years post Socrates' release from prison for rape and murder. Socrates is a man full of character, who has decided that his prison time was not enough to repay the debt to society for his heinous crimes. He makes a life long committment to encourage and mentor as he tries to muddle through the obstacles of being an ex con.
Once again, Mosley has created a wonderful story. Socrates' profound descriptions of life around him are so perfect, it is difficult to imagine this man ever committed such crimes. There is a lesson in this story for everyone.
Great Road Trip Book.......2006-07-13
Last summer I read this entire book on the train from Ohio to NYC. Socrates Fortlow is one of my favorite characters of all time. There is a poignancy to a character who seemingly has nothing going for him except his strength of morals. Read this book and you may have to take a second look at the downtrodden of society.
outstanding realistic view of segments of black society.......2006-02-24
this is an outstanding and realistic book about both the black society and for any man that is just out of prison and determained to make it. he make no excuses, he becomes a mentor to a young man trying to keep him from gangs and crime in watts. it gives you a hard long look at life, but it is both sad and uplifting as it shows a man who refuses to quit and finds his place in society and stays free
Average customer rating:
- Not Free SF Reader
- In the tradition of the original series
- Amazon won't ship
- amberaholic
- The Amber prequel gets into high gear!
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Chaos and Amber (Roger Zelazny's The Dawn of Amber)
John Gregory Betancourt , and
John Betancourt
Manufacturer: I Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Betancourt, John Gregory | ( B ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0743474945 |
Book Description
In CHAOS AND AMBER, Dworkin and his son Oberon arrive at the Courts of Chaos to discover, and confront, their hidden enemies. But things don't go as planned. Oberon has a terrible physical reaction to being in Chaos, while assassination attempts are made on both his and Dworkin's lives-and the traitor in their family remains a hidden but quite real threat.
Dworkin takes Oberon on a desperate journey, pressing deeper into Shadow than ever before. Here, Oberon discovers more of the true nature of his father...and of his real mother. But they have been followed, and a horde of hell-creatures attacks. Ultimately, Dworkin must create a new Pattern with his own blood to save himself, his family, and the future.
Customer Reviews:
Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03
I would suggest that you would have to really like Amber to bother with these and want to fill in more parts of the story. I am not sure I would bother with much more. That being said, however, while it is not the original, this is not a bad book. Basically average, and if you are really into the Amber thing, it is more than likely you will enjoy this to some degree or other, so don't let that put you off.
In the tradition of the original series.......2007-01-04
If you enjoyed the original Amber series by Zelazny, you should like this one.
Amazon won't ship.......2006-09-03
I've had this book on order for over 6 months, and Amazon keeps shifting the delivery date. Don't bother ordering it.
amberaholic.......2006-05-24
I am sorry to see that john has gotten such bad reveiws for his work on the amber books. I have read of the amber books up to this one(including zelanzy's) and I can honestly say that they are my most favorite series i have ever read. I like amber because it is a series different than any others that i have read and its a place that i feel very comfortable in. I think that John has done a remarkable job at keeping these books along the same lines that roger Zelanzy drew in his amber books. I hope that more people will give his books a chance because honestley i would like to read a thousand more books of amber.
The Amber prequel gets into high gear!.......2004-12-30
After a slow introductory book, there's a little more action in this one. That makes sense, given that Oberon has to transition into a truly powerful leader to make it consistent with what we see in the Zelazny Amber series. I think Betancourt did a great job of dealing with the need to describe Chaos and the significance of the Pattern. He's a worthy heir to the Zelazny mantle.
Customer Reviews:
Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03
With Oberon back, war with Chaos appears inevitable, something which does not thrill Corwin. Oberon therefore dispatches him on a mission through Shadow.
More subterfuge is discovered, and in the end, the unicorn with the Jewel of Judgement appears.
Great premise, terrible rambling style.......2006-02-24
I am very disappointed in this author, though I continue to read the series. I find myself skimming. I don't have the patience to put up with his nonsense, but I do want to know how the story develops.
He makes us wait and wade through garbage before he continues telling us the story. He sends us through unreal and just plain stupid scenes, describing them in detail as if they are real and significant, when in fact they are just vague meanderings of the mind of an author who has gone way off the track.
We never know how a friend or enemy will turn out. Maybe an apparent friend will attack Corwin suddenly. Maybe an apparent lover and soul mate will simply get stubborn and ditch Corwin. Maybe an enemy will suddenly be just peachy keen. It all depends on what side of the bed Roger has woken up on. There is no consistency, only the whim of the writer.
There are no rules to his universe. The only rule is that he will do what he damn pleases at any moment, and will bore and frustrate the hell out of his readers whenever he likes. He will go on and on about some stupid philosophy, and then will make fun of it.
It is a frustrating experience to read this series because the writing is often terrible, but the basic premise of the story is excellent and makes me want to keep skimming, if not actually reading, this garbage.
I wish someone taught the author how to tell a story directly. He needed an editor who would take this epic ten story fantasy and cut it down to a fraction of its size, leaving out all the bull.
At one point he decides to give us a bar full of leprechauns. For God's sake. At one point he decides to give us a friendly jackal who suddenly turns to attack. Oh leave me alone, you frustrating excuse for a writer. You have made your point. You will pull anything you like out of your tush and call it a story. What a waste of a sensational premise. I just wish that a good author wrote this series.
Does anyone really read every word as you describe one more boring unreal scene after another, oh there are flowers falling, oh the sky is zebra colored, oh there is no sense of gravity here, oh there is a stranger standing there staring, oh there is a woman hanged, oh the leaves rustle, blah blah blah. Put your head on straight, stop screwing around, and just tell us a story.
Follow the Solid Black Road.......2005-04-21
Finally, the end is in sight. With the fifth volume in the Amber series Zelazny brings the first cycle to a close. Oberon has returned to the throne, Brand has been revealed as the real traitor, and the Courts of Chaos await the final battle for Amber's existence. Corwin finds his sudden relegation to second fiddle irksome, especially since Oberon's offhand manner hasn't changed in the least, but he knows his duty and the family pulls together for the final struggle.
The key order of business is to repair the damage to the pattern and close down the threat of the black road. Oberon's final decision, to remake the pattern is one that will likely kill him, whether he succeeds or fails, and Corwin suddenly discovers that his irritation with his father is only skin deep. It is with a heavy heart that Corwin follows his father's command and starts his hell ride for the courts.
And runs straight into Brand, who has no intention of allowing Corwin and Oberon to undo his plotting and return things to normal. Corwin is delayed by one conflict after another. Not only is the final outcome in doubt, but the reader must cope with the possibility of two endings at once.
It was no mean feat in the 1970's to turn out a five volume series that could keep reader interest at a high level. As the volumes progress, the writing develops, and it is interesting to compare this book, which consists of one long and detailed hell ride to other efforts in the series to capture traveling through the shadows. The Courts of Chaos find Zelazny a much stronger writer than he was when the series started out. He not only sets a compelling pace, but Corwin's character blooms as a several thousand year old man suddenly matures before out eyes.
The Courts of Chaos is really the best of the series that had a great start and then wobbled a bit in the middle. It guaranteed that Amber would have a place in the hearts of fantasy lovers for some time to come, and set the scene for the next five Amber volumes. While these aren't my favorite Zelazny works, they are still outstanding writing.
A new pattern?.......2002-02-02
The battle of Brand and Corwin reaches its climax as everyone tries to create a new pattern in the battle with Chaos itself.
Courts of Chaos has all the usual twists and turns of an Amber novel. It is an absolutely wonderful series and it probably goes without saying that you should begin at the beginning, and not here.
my review..........1999-06-28
This series was damn good. 'Nuff said
Customer Reviews:
Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03
Merlin is trapped in a crazy version of Wonderland, which is actually, of course, just a Shadow. Some complex sorcerous shenanigans by various members of his family, ensue, as well as contact with Fiona, and stunts similar to Brand's, in the first series.
Cast Of Thousands.......2005-05-24
Sign of Chaos is the critical moment when the story line (of which this is the eighth) blurs out for a while. It's not a bad book by any means, but Merlin's story is one of an ever-increasing number of people who want to either kill him or run his life for him. This book is that critical mass when there are so many characters to keep track of that small minds like this reviewer's tend to shut down.
Fittingly enough, the book starts out with Merlin and Luke trapped in the Mad Hatter's Tea Party Bar, where the previous volume left them off. A psychedelic Mickey has turned Luke into a hallucination machine and it takes both ingenuity and chemistry for Merlin to take his leave. He makes it back to Amber only to discover that he has a new, and beautiful aunt. Who just as promptly disappears, leaving Merlin once again in the clutches of an old friend.
Along the way Merlin picks up Mandor, his older brother on the Chaos side, and Jasra, who is now a 'friendly' enemy instead of a coat rack. This is about where characters and plot get so intricate that you may wish you had been keeping score from the beginning. Zelazny is merciless, captivating his readers at the same time he is confusing them.
By way of personal history, I took a several year break from the series at this point, picking up the last two volumes when the appeared in paperback. You may feel like doing the same thing, but there are only two more quick volumes to go and you will be a member of the I Love Amber club, a very exclusive group of folks.
Chaos is an apt title.......2000-09-22
This book, like many in series SF, can not be read independently of the rest in the series. Its main fault is that it is frequently chaotic and can be difficult to follow, especially if it has been awhile since you read the previous stories. The protagonist, Merlin, continues his sparring with Luke, Jasra,and the Mask, and his girlfriend, Julia is back in the story, unknown to Merlin at first. Merlin's brother, Jurt, also is involved, along with multiple other extended family members.
Zelazny fans will like this, but the Amber premise is noticably tiring in this story.
Product Description
Volume 2 contains Sign of the Unicorn, The Hand of Oberon, and The Courts of Chaos
Customer Reviews:
Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03
This is the final volume in Roger Zelazny's Amber series.
Merlin discovers he is a pawn in the game between the powers of Amber and Chaos, and is not too happy. It is all he can do to stay alive, however. The culmination of all the crazy, devious and violent power struggles in Amber and Chaos.
Not intended to be the end.......2005-10-22
Most people who've read this book don't seem to realize that there was a reason why so many plot threads were either left unresolved, or introduced fresh. This was the case with Courts of Chaos as well (book 5 in the series): Amber won the war, albeit at a terrible price, but there were far too many unanswered questions.
The reason is that Zelazny was not intending this to be the end to the series, just to this chapter of the story. It is not a well-known fact, but Zelazny actually wrote five short stories that pick up after this book end (they were published in various magazines and, to my knowledge, have never been collected or even made easily available). Those five stories deal with what happened with Luke and the Pattern (#1), Merlin meeting Rhanda (#2), Frakir, after she got herself freed (#3), and Corwin making his way to Amber on a blue, shape-shifting horse from the Courts (#4 and 5).
In those stories, it is revealed that spikards are sentient, Grayswandir and Werewindle are not swords at all, but instead changed spikards, a new race of beings - the Shroudlings, who live in the world behind mirrors - is introduced, and Castle Amber is alive and taking part in things.
Zelazny was clearly bulding up to another series; unfortunatelly, he succumbed to cancer shortly thereafter.
Burning Your End At Both Candles.......2005-06-07
With the exception of a few weak steps in Sign of Chaos, Zelazny's Amber series has proven to be one of the enduring monuments of fantasy writing in the 70's and 80's. They are the logical culmination of a focus on the concept of 'world builder' first investigated in Isle of the Dead. In that volume world building was a spiritual activity and here, in the twin five volume series about Corwin and his son Merlin is is the politics of those who can wander the dimensions and 'find' worlds of their own design that is important.
Prince of Chaos makes it clear that Order and Chaos are the great forces that drive events. And that it is the inhabitants, not the manifestations of the powers that must keep the balance. For all their instincts of preservation, the Serpent and the Unicorn would gladly have the universe destroyed if for one instant either side can rule unconstrained. Merlin, born and raised in the Courts of Chaos, but true son of Amber, finds himself maneuvered into the precarious position of potential heir to the dark throne. He despises the idea of wearing a crown, hates being manipulates, but his progress has been almost inevitable. He is a piece in a very large chess game.
Zelazny builds this volume as a puzzle with Corwin charged with finding all the pieces and fitting them together. He must find his father, determine who among his relatives can be trusted, and make more than a few decisions of the heart. He is a young man surrounded by players who have been in the game for hundred, if not thousands, of years. And each victory means new threats to defend himself against.
Zelazny manages to wrap up most of his loose ends while leaving considerable room for further amplification. There will never be another volume in this series, but the reader has so much material to work with that there are countless alternate new volumes resting in the heads of inspired readers, caught in the pattern of fascination that drives the plot. That these stories go on in our minds is the true charm of Zelazny's work. With today's focus on action rather than plot the art of the storyteller has almost disappeared from the genre.
A great disappointment.......2005-01-13
I am a huge fan of the first chronicles of Amber and have read that series several times. When Zelazny returned to writing Amber stories based on Merlin I had high hopes, but with each new book I found that the magic was slipping further and further away.
In this final book it feels like Zelazny had written himself into a corner and just wanted to end it. There is no true conclusion here, only dangling plots that we will never see resolved.
For the Amber completist, get it from the library and slog through it. Otherwise stick to the first five books of Corwin for that is where the true magic is held. Nothing will ever come close to the first five books and this last book is as far from that greatness as the Courts of Chaos are from Amber itself.
Conclusion, but little closure.......2004-06-27
With Prince of Chaos Roger Zelazny brings his classic Amber saga to a close. The book is left slightly open ended as though he had conceived of additional novels, but died before they could be written.
This book brings some satisfaction in that most of the major plot points are tied up, but the conclusion feels abrupt and rather contrived. Additionally there are some glaring continuity issues with the earlier books that distract from the pleasure of the reading experience.
Although Merlin lacks Corwin's majesty and style, he has a more realistic feel to him. Corwin was always larger than life. Merlin is somewhat bumbling and obtuse which makes him easier to identify with as a realistic character.
While this is my least favorite book in the series I highly recommend this series of novels to any and every literature fan out there. Roger Zelazny is one of those few SFF authors who assure that genre's place among more recognized forms of literature.
Take my word for it and read these books. You won't regret it...
Product Description
5 massmarket paperback Titles in Amber Series - 1 Nine Princes in Amber - 2 Guns of Avalon - 3 Sign of the Unicorn - 4 Hand of Oberon - 5 Courts of Chaos
Product Description
5 massmarket paperback Titles in Amber Series - The Courts of Chaos - Trumps of Doom - Blood of Amber - Knight of Shadows - Prince of Chaos
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