Jack Vance
Third volume of the Durdane trilogy. After the previous two, and especially "The Brave Free Men" I found this a bit of a disappoint. Basically it seems like a competent standalone, not very connected to the preceding volumes. That's a bit of a shame given the potential for pulling foreward the character work and political development, instead we're left with a basically stock Vancian character doing stock Vancian things--investigating an alien threat, bluffing his way across borders, getting captured, rescuing himself, triggering major alien social collapse. The details all work fairly well but the larger picture ends up being a bit lacking. I think I prefer Jack Vance when he's a little outside of his comfort zone.
Better than: Planet of Adventure by Jack Vance
Worse than: The Brave Free Men by Jack Vance
Showing posts with label vance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vance. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
The Brave Free Men
Jack Vance
Very entertaining, and a step up in quality from the first volume in the trilogy. Primarily this gain is because of the focus--having taken over the seat of power the hero has now become the ruling institution, and must deal with all the political fragmentation, complications, betrayals and ambiguities of rule. It's a carrying of the victorious narrative further than a lot of science fiction normally goes, asking what happens next in the ambiguous situation, and bringing in a more nuanced understanding of societies and their transition than was given in the last edition. It's oddly stationary for a Jack Vance novel--the protagonist remains in the same basic position of power first to last for this novel, and the skills in improvisation and bluffing are involved in managing the existing fronts rather than climbing around the galaxy in pursuit of a specific quest. This element, along with the entertaining cast gathered to the end, makes for a quite interesting setup in Vance's complicated future. It’s carrying the necessity of consideration beyond what the ndividual agent can do, putting a more complicated responsability for herosim and political transformation than Vance usually delivers.
By the end this angle has shifted somewhat, a new underlying alien threat has been detected and some earlier political divisions prove to be attributed to this force. It's pretty well done as far as it goes, but feels a bit more conventional, as indeed do the main characters' roles in reshuffling society and instituting the titular Brave Free Men as a liberated force. It seems a little too facile a political resolution, like the trilogy is resolving its main potential too lightly. Still, overall it's a very effective piece, and I'm curious to see if the third volume gives a more conventional or ambitious structure in resolution.
Better than: The Anome by Jack Vance
Worse than: Inversions by Iain M. Banks
Very entertaining, and a step up in quality from the first volume in the trilogy. Primarily this gain is because of the focus--having taken over the seat of power the hero has now become the ruling institution, and must deal with all the political fragmentation, complications, betrayals and ambiguities of rule. It's a carrying of the victorious narrative further than a lot of science fiction normally goes, asking what happens next in the ambiguous situation, and bringing in a more nuanced understanding of societies and their transition than was given in the last edition. It's oddly stationary for a Jack Vance novel--the protagonist remains in the same basic position of power first to last for this novel, and the skills in improvisation and bluffing are involved in managing the existing fronts rather than climbing around the galaxy in pursuit of a specific quest. This element, along with the entertaining cast gathered to the end, makes for a quite interesting setup in Vance's complicated future. It’s carrying the necessity of consideration beyond what the ndividual agent can do, putting a more complicated responsability for herosim and political transformation than Vance usually delivers.
By the end this angle has shifted somewhat, a new underlying alien threat has been detected and some earlier political divisions prove to be attributed to this force. It's pretty well done as far as it goes, but feels a bit more conventional, as indeed do the main characters' roles in reshuffling society and instituting the titular Brave Free Men as a liberated force. It seems a little too facile a political resolution, like the trilogy is resolving its main potential too lightly. Still, overall it's a very effective piece, and I'm curious to see if the third volume gives a more conventional or ambitious structure in resolution.
Better than: The Anome by Jack Vance
Worse than: Inversions by Iain M. Banks
The Anome
Jack Vance
Enjoyable, energetic, very recognizable Vance. A fast moving account that unpacks a wonderfully inventive background well-connected to a fun story. Not hugely deep, but the environemnt of the Shant and its factionalized collections of cantons is one worth uncovering, and the tale of shifting from religious youth to slave labor to musician to master of the planet is made gripping and surprisingly plausible. It's interesting to compare Vance to Clarke at points, since his layout of skills is so different and his futures tend to be vastly more cluttered and violent. Perhaps Vance's biggest asset is his throwing in of implausibility that works and feels credible, strange human variations and cultural customs that add history yet are clearly beyond the main human environment. Reading this text shortly after Vance's autobiography does make me think of it as more like wish fulfillment compared with the relatively sedate pace put in. Above all this is enjoyable and with enough interesting ideas put in to be worth the effort.
Worse than: The Book of Dreams by Jack Vance
Better than: Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks
Enjoyable, energetic, very recognizable Vance. A fast moving account that unpacks a wonderfully inventive background well-connected to a fun story. Not hugely deep, but the environemnt of the Shant and its factionalized collections of cantons is one worth uncovering, and the tale of shifting from religious youth to slave labor to musician to master of the planet is made gripping and surprisingly plausible. It's interesting to compare Vance to Clarke at points, since his layout of skills is so different and his futures tend to be vastly more cluttered and violent. Perhaps Vance's biggest asset is his throwing in of implausibility that works and feels credible, strange human variations and cultural customs that add history yet are clearly beyond the main human environment. Reading this text shortly after Vance's autobiography does make me think of it as more like wish fulfillment compared with the relatively sedate pace put in. Above all this is enjoyable and with enough interesting ideas put in to be worth the effort.
Worse than: The Book of Dreams by Jack Vance
Better than: Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks
This Is Me, Jack Vance!
by Jack Vance
On the shortlist for non-fiction genre stuff for this years Hugo, read on printout from the voter packet. Kind of a strange production in a number of ways. For one, I don't read much non-fiction genre stuff in general. Also this book talks very little about Vance's writing career itself or his underlying reflections on the process of writing. As well, it's very selective, giving a semi detailed look at his years 11 to 20 and then arching over the rest of his life in a very piecemeal fashion. There are some poignant moments here, and on the whole it's fairly interesting as a reflection on a personal career and the uneven fashion it emerged in. At the same time I think this does a lot less than it could as an autobiography or (this being for Hugo consideration) as a reflection on science fiction. Judged as history it’s somewhat awkwardly framed and feels like it leaves the greater part of the story untold. Viewed as a commentary on writing by a major writer it’s even more partial, at times deiberately refraining from providing this sort of perspective. Judged as an adequate testimony to Vance’s life it’s unknowable, and reaches to overly subjective criteria. It may receive my vote, but I hope the other pieces I've yet to read will be more appealing in these concerns.
Worse than: Keep the Aspidistra Flying! by George Orwell
Better than: Gandhi’s Truth: On the Origin of Militant Nonviolence by Erik Erikson
On the shortlist for non-fiction genre stuff for this years Hugo, read on printout from the voter packet. Kind of a strange production in a number of ways. For one, I don't read much non-fiction genre stuff in general. Also this book talks very little about Vance's writing career itself or his underlying reflections on the process of writing. As well, it's very selective, giving a semi detailed look at his years 11 to 20 and then arching over the rest of his life in a very piecemeal fashion. There are some poignant moments here, and on the whole it's fairly interesting as a reflection on a personal career and the uneven fashion it emerged in. At the same time I think this does a lot less than it could as an autobiography or (this being for Hugo consideration) as a reflection on science fiction. Judged as history it’s somewhat awkwardly framed and feels like it leaves the greater part of the story untold. Viewed as a commentary on writing by a major writer it’s even more partial, at times deiberately refraining from providing this sort of perspective. Judged as an adequate testimony to Vance’s life it’s unknowable, and reaches to overly subjective criteria. It may receive my vote, but I hope the other pieces I've yet to read will be more appealing in these concerns.
Worse than: Keep the Aspidistra Flying! by George Orwell
Better than: Gandhi’s Truth: On the Origin of Militant Nonviolence by Erik Erikson
Throy
by Jack Vance
End of the Cadwell trilogy. Pretty good effort, wraps things up and gives a final sendoff that's anticlimatic and yet feel substantive. It's shorter and less creative than the previous volumes, doesn't seem to have nearly as much energy, and in some ways feels like too much of a concluding effort to be a great book in its own right. As well, some of the wider troubling things with the series and gender as well as the Yip servitude remain, by my view, under-developed. Since it has to actually deliver resolution to the arching story and universe there’s not the sense of fun and raw, rolling creativity as in the second volume, and in multiple ways the more grim tone don’t fit the narrative structures as well.
Worse than: Ecce and Old Earth by Jack Vance
Better than: Big Planet by Jack Vance
End of the Cadwell trilogy. Pretty good effort, wraps things up and gives a final sendoff that's anticlimatic and yet feel substantive. It's shorter and less creative than the previous volumes, doesn't seem to have nearly as much energy, and in some ways feels like too much of a concluding effort to be a great book in its own right. As well, some of the wider troubling things with the series and gender as well as the Yip servitude remain, by my view, under-developed. Since it has to actually deliver resolution to the arching story and universe there’s not the sense of fun and raw, rolling creativity as in the second volume, and in multiple ways the more grim tone don’t fit the narrative structures as well.
Worse than: Ecce and Old Earth by Jack Vance
Better than: Big Planet by Jack Vance
Monday, June 28, 2010
Ecce and Old Earth
by Jack Vance
Great, a clear step above Araminta Station. There’s much better pace, managing to use its increased length from a normal Vance novel to draw out the most pleasurable details and overall sense of fun. Here, the contrast between Cadwell and Earth develops the coherence of both societies. The narrative positively bubbles with fun minor details and credible political structures, involving not just the political structures of the planets but also the econom, culture and quirky individuals attached to them.
The story also features a more likeable take on the main characters, and overall revels in the quirky yet credible details that Vance throws into the world. The actual plot is a pushed through thriller at basis, yet with a long timespan and an overall sense of relaxation to the writing and the characters that builds up the interest in the story. It’s a work that benefits from dialing down the tension more than one would expect, in allowing the characters to do appealing things. The plot involves one of the most engaging hunts through museums that I've seen, and it connects effectively to the larger political intrigue that runs through the trilogy. Vance also demonstrates a great understanding of how the politics of small leisure and political groups works. Overall a delightful space romp.
Better than: Araminta Station by Jack Vance
Worse than: Wyst: Alastor 1716 by Jack Vance
Great, a clear step above Araminta Station. There’s much better pace, managing to use its increased length from a normal Vance novel to draw out the most pleasurable details and overall sense of fun. Here, the contrast between Cadwell and Earth develops the coherence of both societies. The narrative positively bubbles with fun minor details and credible political structures, involving not just the political structures of the planets but also the econom, culture and quirky individuals attached to them.
The story also features a more likeable take on the main characters, and overall revels in the quirky yet credible details that Vance throws into the world. The actual plot is a pushed through thriller at basis, yet with a long timespan and an overall sense of relaxation to the writing and the characters that builds up the interest in the story. It’s a work that benefits from dialing down the tension more than one would expect, in allowing the characters to do appealing things. The plot involves one of the most engaging hunts through museums that I've seen, and it connects effectively to the larger political intrigue that runs through the trilogy. Vance also demonstrates a great understanding of how the politics of small leisure and political groups works. Overall a delightful space romp.
Better than: Araminta Station by Jack Vance
Worse than: Wyst: Alastor 1716 by Jack Vance
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Araminta Station
Araminta Station by Jack Vance. First volume of the Cadwall Chronicles.
Overall strong work, although I think it's longer than it needs to be. It gives Vance more effort to build an interesting setting but the plot lags at points, and a lot of the situations could have had more energy to them. One thing to like is nice paragraph-by-paragraph writing, and a sardonic tone that is often highly effective in producing dry whit. Vance is as good as ever at throwing out little details that link up to a vibrant world, and his work at building continues to fold itself effectively into the pace of events. The characerization is less compelling here, delivering fairly flat personalities that are less impressive because they're not doing as much. As well, the larger plot structure suffers a bit from having the form of a murder mystery with none of the main characters being particularly invested in solving the crime.
It remains fundamentally a fun and well-imagined environment. On the other hand, some of what seem to be the larger themes, on gender, sex, violence, rape, hierarchy and race are a bit disturbing, in the protagonists' attitudes or especially nonchalance towards certain things. Of course the author's standpoints may not be that of the characters and there is the rest of the trilogy to see the final statement on the politics and the like. Nevertheless, while I was overall impressed in this book as literature and as a piece of SF world-building, I do question some of the apparent standards underlying the narrative, and am more disturbed particularly with the portrayal of women than I've been with previous Vance. It's not that his other works are without problems in that regard, but usually there's less narrative stress put on that by the pace of events. Here, again, there's a sense that the increased length and opportunity for close scrutiny isn't a good thin.
Worse than: The Star King by Jack Vance
Better than: Slan by A. E. Van Vogt
Overall strong work, although I think it's longer than it needs to be. It gives Vance more effort to build an interesting setting but the plot lags at points, and a lot of the situations could have had more energy to them. One thing to like is nice paragraph-by-paragraph writing, and a sardonic tone that is often highly effective in producing dry whit. Vance is as good as ever at throwing out little details that link up to a vibrant world, and his work at building continues to fold itself effectively into the pace of events. The characerization is less compelling here, delivering fairly flat personalities that are less impressive because they're not doing as much. As well, the larger plot structure suffers a bit from having the form of a murder mystery with none of the main characters being particularly invested in solving the crime.
It remains fundamentally a fun and well-imagined environment. On the other hand, some of what seem to be the larger themes, on gender, sex, violence, rape, hierarchy and race are a bit disturbing, in the protagonists' attitudes or especially nonchalance towards certain things. Of course the author's standpoints may not be that of the characters and there is the rest of the trilogy to see the final statement on the politics and the like. Nevertheless, while I was overall impressed in this book as literature and as a piece of SF world-building, I do question some of the apparent standards underlying the narrative, and am more disturbed particularly with the portrayal of women than I've been with previous Vance. It's not that his other works are without problems in that regard, but usually there's less narrative stress put on that by the pace of events. Here, again, there's a sense that the increased length and opportunity for close scrutiny isn't a good thin.
Worse than: The Star King by Jack Vance
Better than: Slan by A. E. Van Vogt
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