Gilgamesh the King - by Robert Silverberg (Paperback)

About the Book

A thrilling retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh, by one of the greatest storytellers of his generation
Gilgamesh's appetite for wine, women, and warfare is insatiable. As the King of Uruk, he oppresses his people and burdens his city. To temper his excesses, the gods create Enkidu, Gilgamesh's equal, who becomes his greatest friend. Together they wander the kingdom as brothers, conquering demons until a cruel twist changes Gilgamesh's path forever. Two parts god and one part man, Gilgamesh is mortal--a fate he now resolves to overcome, no matter what the price. And so he embarks on another journey, in pursuit of vengeance and the ultimate prize for a mortal king: eternal life.

Book Synopsis

A thrilling retelling of the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh from the Hugo and Nebula Award-Winning author of Lord Valentine's Castle.
Gilgamesh's appetite for wine, women, and warfare is insatiable. As the King of Uruk, he oppresses his people and burdens his city. To temper his excesses, the gods create Enkidu, Gilgamesh's equal, who becomes his greatest friend. Together they wander the kingdom as brothers, conquering demons until a cruel twist changes Gilgamesh's path forever. Two parts god and one part man, Gilgamesh is mortal--a fate he now resolves to overcome, no matter what the price. And so he embarks on another journey, in pursuit of vengeance and the ultimate prize for a mortal king: eternal life.

Review Quotes

"[Silverberg is] the John Updike of science fiction."

-- "The New York Times Book Review"

"[Silverberg] is a master."

--Robert Jordan

"No matter if Silverberg is dealing with material that is practically straight fiction, or going way into the future . . . his is the hand of a master of his craft and imagination."

-- "Los Angeles Times"

"Robert Silverberg is our best . . . Time and time again he has expanded the parameters of science fiction."

-- "The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction"

About the Author

A SFWA Grand Master and the winner of five Hugo Awards and five Nebula Awards, ROBERT SILVERBERG, author of the bestselling Majipoor series and dozens of other books, is one of the giants of science fiction and fantasy. He lives in Oakland, California, with his wife, writer Karen Haber.