In the afterword the author wrote "at all times I have attempted to interpret the fanciful and fantastic events of these poems in a realistic way, that is, to tell the story of Gilgamesh as though he were writing his own memoirs, and to that end I have introduced many interpretations of my own devising which for better or for worse are in no way to be ascribed to the scholars".

The novel is told from the point of view of Gilgamesh, and is primarily ambivalent about the supernatural elements of the epic.

When the king of Uruk (his father) dies, Gilgamesh is exiled by the recently crowned Dumuzi, jealous of his skills and power.

Neil Gaiman reviewed Gilgamesh the King for Imagine magazine, and stated that "A fascinating look at a long-gone culture, with a magnificent Jim Burns cover.

"[1] Dave Langford reviewed Gilgamesh the King for White Dwarf #69, and stated that "Silverberg's version is laudable, essential reading [...] but his realistic approach weakens (I think) the theme of immortality.