This Immortal

This Immortal takes place on a post-apocalyptic Earth where nuclear war has reduced the human population to 4 million and created numerous mutant species. Most humans have relocated to colonies on Venus, leaving Earth as a cultural relic managed by a small group of administrators. Conrad Nomikos, a man with an unusually long life span, serves as Earth's Commissioner of Arts, Monuments and Archives. He is assigned to guide an influential Vegan alien named Cort Myshtigo on a tour of Earth's ancient monuments, though hidden agendas lurk beneath the surface of this seemingly simple assignment. The story combines elements of Greek mythology, travelogue, and political intrigue against the backdrop of a damaged but enduring Earth. The narrative follows the group's journey through recognizable but transformed locations including Greece, Egypt, and other sites of historical significance. This Immortal explores themes of cultural preservation, human resilience, and the complex relationship between Earth's past and future. The novel questions what aspects of human civilization are worth preserving and who has the right to make those decisions.

Readers describe This Immortal as a dense, complex novel that requires focused attention. The mythological elements and post-apocalyptic Earth setting create an unusual blend that appeals to fans of both science fiction and fantasy. Readers appreciated: - Rich Greek mythology references - Dialogue and character interactions - World-building details revealed through context rather than exposition - The protagonist Conrad's moral ambiguity - Fast-paced action sequences Common criticisms: - Confusing plot that's hard to follow - Too many characters introduced too quickly - Overuse of unexplained terminology - Abrupt ending Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (4,400+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (120+ ratings) Reader quotes: "Like trying to drink from a firehose of mythology and sci-fi concepts" - Goodreads "Requires multiple readings to fully grasp" - Amazon "The dialogue crackles but the plot meanders" - LibraryThing

A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr. Follows the preservation of human knowledge through a post-apocalyptic dark age by an order of monks dedicated to protecting the remnants of civilization.

Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny Features a technologically advanced human colony where the ruling class uses their powers to pose as Hindu deities while controlling the population's cultural development.

The Death of Grass by John Christopher Chronicles Earth's collapse when a virus kills all grass species, forcing survivors to navigate a changing world where civilization's remnants still hold significance.

The Drowned World by J. G. Ballard Takes place in a submerged London where a scientist catalogs the transformed landscape while confronting humanity's relationship with its past monuments and architecture.

Way Station by Clifford D. Simak Centers on an immortal human who serves as Earth's secret connection point between alien civilizations while protecting both human history and extraterrestrial interests.

🏆 The novel tied with "Dune" for the 1966 Hugo Award, marking the first and only time in Hugo history that two novels have shared the award for Best Novel. 🏺 The main character's name, Conrad Nomikos, and many story elements are inspired by Greek mythology, reflecting Zelazny's deep interest in classical literature and his studies in Classical Greek. ☢️ Written during the height of the Cold War in 1965, the book reflects contemporary nuclear anxieties, depicting Earth's population reduced to just 4 million from approximately 3 billion at the time of writing. ✍️ The book was originally published as a serial in 1965 under the title "...And Call Me Conrad" before being released as a novel titled "This Immortal." 🌍 The novel pioneered the concept of "Earth tourism," where aliens visit Earth's ruins as vacation destinations, a theme that would later appear in many other science fiction works.