An experimental text, Creatures of Light and Darkness is Zelazny’s attempt at combining Egyptian myth with cosmic science fiction, presenting the conflict of the gods on a multi world scale. The experimental aspect arises from Zelazny moving from different styles without warning, shifting from novel to poem to theater dialogue. While liberties are taken with some of the gods and their relationships therein, Zelazny often uses homages to the classical myth, such as the protagonist Wakim being dismembered limb from limb in a manner similar to Osiris, and the conflict between Horus and Set mirroring the various contests the two gods had. The science fiction arises through the various worlds the characters Horus and Wakim interact
with, such as Blis where scientific advancements has prevented death to such a degree that suicide has become an entertainment event. The relationship between death and life is at the heart of the story, with both fantastical and technological methods of immortality are discussed, with the pursuit of immortality itself being considered a natural aspect of life. Life and death are presented in binary code, with the number two being used to replace one, referring to a need for companionship necessary to preserve one’s life. And the gods use these relationships to both condemn and save one another. The text captures the bombastic and oftentimes contradictory nature of Egyptian myth and combines it with the similar nature of science fiction to both genres benefit.


Amir Saffar Perez Kent State University



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For general information and sources relating to the Ancient Near East, we recommend these websites:
ABZU - https://bit.ly/2Cr1A8u (collection of free and open-access data)
University of Chicago Oriental Institute - https://bit.ly/2RcIiMl (great collection of free books and articles)
Livius.org - https://bit.ly/2Gzj5rx (general encyclopedia on the ancient world)
ETCSL - https://bit.ly/2QJsAZS (Sumerian literature)
ORACC - https://bit.ly/2QJsL7u (collection of projects relating to Mesopotamia)
EPSD - https://bit.ly/2PY99aw (Online Sumerian dictionary)
CDLI - https://cdli.ucla.edu (Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative)

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Music: Brak Bnei Original Composition