[Pathir]

I read on this board that some of you have read or are reading the Dying Earth books by Jack Vance. A nice opportunity to bring one of the old masters of sf and fantasy back into the spotlight, I think.
Although many of his books can(or must)be qualified as SF, even most of these books have fantasy elements woven through them.
Tschai for example, one of his best efforts, begins as SF but soon becomes more of a blend of both genres, with terrific results.
Vance's humor and inventive worldbuilding make always for an excellent read, and he has the ability to create great characters like for instance Cugel the scoundrel and Navarth the mad poet...
My favourites are:
-Tschai(4 books)
-Lyonesse(3 books)
-Demonprinces cyclus(5 books)
-Dying earth saga
-the Cugel books(2)
-Durdane trilogy
-Alastor trilogy(separate books though)
And there are many short stories, some rewarded, that are worth your while if you want to read them...
In my opinion his name is mentioned much to few on this most excellent of boards.
(and no, I'm not his agent...)

[Metosblat]

Jack Vance is George RR Martin's favourite author, well that's what he says in all his interviews anyway.
He even says that for a long time he tried to copy Vance's style of writing.
I haven't read any of the dying earth series but with a recommendation from Martin they must be good.

[Rob B]

Vance definitely walks the line between SF and Fantasy. THe Dying Earth books take place millions of years in the future, but the earth is populated by magicians and strange beasts.

His language is very unique to say the least. I wish I had one of those electronic pocket dictionaries when I read THE DYING EARTH, he sprinkles a new word in every paragraph, at least.

THE COMPLEAT DYING EARTH is a collection of his short novels (4) published between 1950 and 1984. Great stuff.

[Cadfael]

The only Vance books that I have read was a quite a few years ago, and I am working with my swiss cheese brain here, so bear with me...

... It was a called The Durdane Trilogy, the books being, 1. The Anome, 2. The Brave Free Men and 3. The Asutra(fixed). From what I can remember they were very good books, kinda sci-fi/fantasyish. I have never seen these books mentioned on any other forum.

[This message has been edited by dennizm (edited May 29, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by dennizm (edited May 30, 2001).]

[Pathir]

Dennizm, the last title must be 'The Asutra', or was that a typo?
It was indeed an excellent trilogy, full with Vance's trademark colourfull language and creations. Unbelievable that not more people have read him. Take his Tschai-saga for example, in which Adam Reith, an astronaut from earth, gets stranded on the strange planet Tschai and has the most fantastic adventures. I can really recommend his books to every lover of good fantsy/SF.
Just try it someday when you have the time, it's great stuff...

[Kierk Soren]

It's funny cause this was on my mind recently, the memory was awakened, partly because of this forum. I used to buy paperbacks from the spinning wire racks in the drugstore when I was a kid, and one of my favorites was book two of Tschai-the City of the Chasch. I recently looked it up on e-bay and there it was, exactly like I remembered it, this would be the '79'Daw paperback(I love that cover). I also am reading The Dying Earth books now, great stuff, and he has such a strange aesthetic- his imagery and language, no one writes like that anymore. Its so nice to rediscover him now. I'd love to get these books in vintage form, I'm keeping my eyes open.

[This message has been edited by Kierk Soren (edited May 30, 2001).]

[Pathir]

In my country The Netherlands Vance is a very popular writer, so almost all his books are constantly in reprint. I am in possession of almost all his works and there are, so I heard, more of his earlier books underway to the bookstores, so my Vance-collection will be extended pretty soon. Looking forward to that...
I don't know how many of his books are still in print or available in other countries, but if you see one, be sure to buy one. You can't go wrong with a Vance.
City of the Chasch is I think actually book 1 of Tschai. But I'm not sure...I will look it up when I'm home and let you know all four titles in the correct order.
Tschai can here be bought in one big volume, don't know if that is possible elsewhere though.There is also one edition with a great map of the complete planet and the main characters journey over Tschai's surface.

[Cadfael]

Pathir... thankyou for clearing that up, it was a typo, but considering I was going on memory, I think I did pretty good http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

No offence taken BTW, it is important when giving book titles to get them right IMHO, just in case a member wants to follow up on them.

Also... I am pretty chuffed that someone else has heard of the series http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Kierk Soren]

Pathir, Damn that sounds good...American publishing moguls, we'll never see an edition like the one you describe, it sounds real nice. Yeah, I made a mistake about the vol. it is one.

[Pathir]

As promised.
Tschai:1.City of Chasch
2.Servants of the Wankh
3.The Dirdir
4.The Pnume
Haven't been home yet, so I'm doing it by memory, but this seems about right.
I will do the rest of Vance's more volume books as well when I actually have been home, just in case someone is interested.
I understand from replies on this board that some books arrive very late in some countries or do not arrive at all for some reason. Here in Holland we must be lucky indeed then, because we get books from all over the world and pretty quick as well. Older prints can be found in many places as well so that's not a big problem either.
Most fantasy and SF gets translated here in dutch but I prefer to read in English: translations take time and such a long waiting periode is unbearable when it comes to a good book. Seeing it lying in a bookstore and than having to wait for several more months for a translation is IMO unthinkable.