Submitted by HellCold 
(Jul 31, 2009)Hugo winner, Nebula nominee, was the novella this novel was based on. Following Gilgamesh in the Afterworld, Silverberg has created, in my opinion, his finest novel of all. A journey of fantasy, adventure, and self discovery that doesn't satisfy itself with being only a story of adventure and heroism--which it excels at--but extends far and deep into the Big Questions of Life, Death and God and even attempts to answer them.
Silverberg knows what he's talking about. All along the story, he shows you his Afterworld, a sad reflection of our own, and Gilgamesh's longing for meaning, and his thirst for Life after so much death in the Afterworld.
As I cannot summarize or comment more extensively on this novel without giving too much away--I am a sworn enemy to spoilers--I'll only say it's a really good one. Not only is it an excellent story on its own--things that happen, you know--but the philosophical quality of it breaks all grounds. An enriching experience, recommended for everyone.
Final Rating: 4.5/5
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