Doorways in the Sand

This is a light, playful novel, but one of my favourites from Zelazny. The first chapter describes the hero as an eternal undergraduate who's avoided graduating for 13 years because of the terms of his uncle's will. I rather like the situation and the quirky hero, and it's almost a shame when he gets mixed up with aliens from outer space. However, that aspect of the novel is also diverting in its way, and the whole story is lively, original, and amusing.The attractions here are the story, the writing style, and the main character. The other characters are only sketched in; although they're sketched quite well.Among other things, the hero has what he describes as acrophilia: he likes to climb buildings. And he's a thoughtful fellow with a diverse education that gives him much to think about.At the beginning of the story, he's trying rather half-heartedly to attract a potential girlfriend, but the events of the story get in the way, so the love interest here is almost non-existent.The university setting and the quirkiness remind me somewhat of [b:Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency 365 Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (Dirk Gently, #1) Douglas Adams https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1554401296l/365.SY75.jpg 1042123], although Zelazny's book came first; and for this story he had no need of time travel.

I remembered the perpetual-student thing for decades, and now I know where it belongs.