The name of the American writer Roger Zhelyazny is probably known to every fan of science fiction. The undisputed leader of the so-called “new wave” in the NF, when science fiction writers shifted attention from scientific and technological achievements to the multifaceted inner world of man, Zhelyazny devoted his whole life to literature and did not change it until the last days. The master’s books are still in great demand and regularly reprinted.
Childhood and youth
Roger Joseph Zhelyazny, the son of an Irish and Polish emigrant, was born in the small town of Euclid, located in Ohio, on May 13, 1937. A boy from a young age showed interest in writing, already at ten years old he enthusiastically invented fairy tales and adventure stories, which he carefully recorded. And yet Roger did not immediately unravel his true desire to devote himself to literary creation. After graduating from school, he entered the department of psychology, and only two years later, realizing his mistake, transferred to the faculty of English literature.
In addition to literature, the young man was fond of fencing, martial arts, the study of Hindi and Japanese, esotericism and the mystical practices of the East. After studying at the university and receiving a master’s degree, Roger was drafted into the army, where he ended up in a unit dedicated to psychological warfare.
Creative career
Zhelyazny began to write seriously and publish as early as 1962, during military service. His talent was quickly noticed and appreciated, in 1963 he received the prestigious Hugo Prize and two statues of Nebula at once. Five years later, the writer resigned from public service in order to devote himself to literary work and soon published a novel that opened before him the path to the pinnacle of fame.
"The Nine Princes of Amber" became the first novel of the epic cycle in the fantasy genre, which was included in the annals of world science fiction. Fans of Zhelyazny’s work around the world organized clubs and arranged role-playing games based on the plots of The Chronicles of Amber. Meanwhile, critics continued to award the writer with the Hugo and Nebula Prizes - but for his other works, mostly for stories that were unusual, strange, bewitching, with original ideas.
During his short life, Roger Zhelyazny published twenty novels and one hundred and fifty stories. He also managed to work as a “reader” on the radio, to collect halls, reading his works and the works of other science fiction writers, with many of whom he maintained friendships, regularly practiced martial arts (he even received a black belt in Aikido), and raised three of his children.
