The growth of the protagonist — or his failure to grow — is at the heart of virtually all of Zelazny's fiction. In most genre fiction the protagonist solves a problem or defeats an enemy.

If there is any hint of moral, emotional, or psychological growth, it may seem merely formulaic or simply incidental to the plot. In Zelazny's best work, however, the development of the protagonist is both central and problematic. His heroes are always attractive, but they are usually morally flawed or psychologically stunted. Their problem is not only to complete a quest or defeat an enemy, but to deepen their own humanity.

Merlin, despite the fact that he is a sorcerer, a warrior, and a prince of two magical realms, faces some rather prosaic problems. He is a young man trying to come to terms with his family: a famous (and absent) father who is...