Gilgamesh the King (original 1984; edition 1985)

Silverberg is always good, often great, here he is at his greatest. An epic story retold in modern format. The great King who conquers all, but what he fears most—death. A dream-like quality, mythic, primitive, primal, intimate, compelling and surprisingly real. The sequel, where Gilgamesh continues his life and adventures in the afterlife, is equally good.
I did read the novel way before this 2005 edition, but no longer have those details. ( )

Interesting fictionalization of the Gilgamesh myths ( )

Silverberg's "Gilgamesh The King" is a well written, entertaining story. The level of detail in description of both the common and the other worldly captivates the reader and brings the world to life. In my reading I found the characters to be the most enjoyable because of the sheer breadth of their interactions which range from love and hate and both at the same time. While some minor issues nag at me, I'd recommend the story to anyone who wants to read a more approachable epic. ( )

http://www.scificatholic.com/2007/08/book-review-gilgamesh-king.html ( )