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Jack Vance – An Incomplete Annotated and
Illustrated Bibliography
A selection
of some of the things the name Jack Vance (1916- ) summons to mind: glorious
sunsets watched in comfort with trays of sweetmeats and goblets of exotic
distillations readily at hand; the company of a pretty girl at a wharf-side
cafe; caravans conveying all manner of goods and personalities negotiating
wide, lawless steppes; rich, brightly coloured costumes; boats lit prow and
stern with huge ornate lamps sailing placid oceans; crafty bartering over the
price of ancient, stoppered urns of unknown, but certainly magical, content;
carnivorous hybrids who happily discuss philosophical nuances prior to dining
on their fellow conversationalists; unsolvable mysteries which nevertheless
must be solved; and, throughout, in both undertone and over, Mankind in all his
vanity, selfishness, perversity, madness, and ultimate invincibility.
Jack
Vance (full name John Holbrook Vance), on the surface, is a writer of the old
school: the concerns of his worlds do not obviously touch upon this; he often
leaves his readers longing to be a part of his magical, eerie, melancholy
set-pieces; his work is mainly male-orientated; his heroes —and, more
rarely, heroines— are straightforward creations with a minimum of
characterisation (yet always distinctive and never cardboard); his plotting
classic). And it’s all done in such an effortless, timeless style I have
not seen equalled in SF (and there have been many imitators). Under the
surface, however, Vance has more to offer than escapism. The majority of his
books bear re-reading, some many times, and on different levels. He has much to
say concerning society as a whole and comments tellingly on its particulars.
His wit is clear, precise, and often quite damning. He hints at Mankind’s
dark side without ever actually descending too far in to it. He… Well,
just read the guy, will you?
I
fervently wish this bibliography was complete — it irks me —and yet
gives me pleasure— to know that there are still Jack Vance books out
there to be read.
*NOTE:
screen tips are used on certain covers.
The Dying Earth (1950)
Interconnected
short stories. The sun dims, the awesome achievements of Mankind’s past
are forgotten. Sinister creatures roam the dark forests and deep valleys;
wizards vie with one-another for the possession of powerful artefacts or grow
beautiful women in vats; once magnificent cities rot — untended by their
ignorant populace. Vance’s first book. Within this sub-genre, equalled
only by Wolfe’s “The Book of the New Sun” in its feeling of
infinite antiquity. Perhaps his best (certainly my favourite).
Novel. The five Sons of Langtry
have a stranglehold on the galaxy in general and Earth in particular due to the
fact that only they know the secret of interstellar travel. Paddy Blackthorn
gains the information that could lead to the information that could lead to
Earth being able to produce its own space drives, and sets out to break the
monopoly. An almost complete lack of usual style, an irritatingly stereotypical
Irish hero, and a plot devoid of surprises, make this book probably the worst
Vance in the world.
Son of the Tree (1951)
Novel. Joe Smith is roaming the
galaxy in search of the man who has stolen his love’s heart. During his travels
he becomes involved with a power struggle taking part between two worlds
—one religious, the other cultural— over possession of a
developing, but potentially lucrative, third. Somewhat slight, somewhat
predictable, but nevertheless entertaining.
Big Planet (1952)
Novel. Claude Glystra of Earth had
been sent to the aptly named world of Big Planet to investigate slaver and
would-be planet ruler, Charley Lysidder. However, Glystra and his fellows
become the victims of sabotage, and find themselves forty-thousand miles from
the safe area of Earth Enclave. Many consider this one of Vance’s best,
personally I’m not too sure why. It is a readable enough adventure,
agreed, but somewhat uninvolving.
Two novelettes. Comprising
“Monsters in Orbit” and “Cholwell’s Chickens”
(but in this Ace Double edition printed simply as, “Part One” and
“Part Two”). Entertaining
tales featuring a rare thing in a Vance tale: a female lead (a foreunner, perhaps,
to Madouc in Lyonness III (see below)). Jean Parlier wants a million dollars
(or more) and gets involved in a scam involving lots of floating fat people. In
the second story, she decides to seek out who her parents were, and, after many
an unlikely coincidence, does. Nothing extraordinary here, but Jean is a
likeable heroine and it’s a pity there isn’t any more of her.
Slaves of the Klau (1952)
Novel. Roy Barch is an escaped slave
upon a nightmarish factory planet. Only a diverse and incomprehensible crew of
spiritless humanoids, and his own indomitable will to live, offer any hope of
return to Earth (a situation that draws immediate parallels with the
“Planet of Adventure” books). Though unrealistic in places and
predictable in others, this is a highly enjoyable romp, in which, to be candid,
Mankind says fuck you to the rest of the galaxy, and manages to prove Himself
the best thing ever to have happened to it. What were the words of that old
Queen song? “Just a man, with a man’s courage, nothing but a man,
who can never fail.” And yes, the guy does get the girl.
The Houses of Iszm (1954)
Novel. The living tree-houses of
Iszm are in very high demand — especially by those who would steal a
female house-seed and so break the Iszic’s monopoly. Ignoring the silly
names and —for Vance— fairly conventional style, this is a very
readable novel; especially when it details the Iszic’s botanical creations
(where the phrase “mad house” takes on literal meaning).
To
Live Forever (1956)
Novel. Clarges is a city built upon
immortality, its every citizen striving for social advancement in order to one day
join the exalted ranks of the Amaranth and live forever. An excellent, rather
dark work; very well thought out concerning immortality’s practicalities.
The Languages of Pao (1957)
Novel. In general, this is a tale
of planetary revolution; in detail it covers such subjects as languages
dictating societies, megalomania, exile, coming-of-age, hive mentality,
solipsism, artificial augmentation of the body — and all clearly,
thoroughly, and engagingly depicted within only a hundred and sixty pages (a
number others would need to treble in order to properly present the same
ideas). A very good read.
The Dragon Masters (1962)
Novel. Winner of the Hugo Award.
The last vestiges of Man live out their lives on the planet Aerlith,
selectively breeding armies of dragons — semi-intelligent reptiles
derived from ancient alien adversaries, the Basics. Only one man, Joaz Banbeck,
expected the Basics to return; and, when they of course did, only he was in a
position to effectively pit his dragons against their selectively bred
man-things. A very readable and imaginative book, the battle scenes proving
especially vivid.
Dust of Far Suns (1964)
Novelette collection. Four gems, the
last being the most highly polished and the penultimate the most gaudy and
common. Consists of, “Dust of Far Suns” (previously published as,
“Sail 25”), “Dodkin’s Job,” Ullward’s
Retreat,” and “The Gift of the Gab.” Here we have space
cadets and their impossible-to-please tutor, Kafka and Fritz Lang, the virtues
of virtual reality over reality itself, and a tempered down The Thing on water. Superb – you
won’t be able to help the small smiles of satisfaction spreading over
your face.
Star King (1964)
Novel. First in the “Demon
Princes” series. Mankind has spread far and wide throughout the galaxy,
encountering few beings with intelligence to match his own — except, that
is, for the Star Kings, whose sole drive in life is to excel. Possessed, as
they are, of a humanoid appearance, many of them set out to prove Mankind their
inferior by bettering him in all his aspects of existence — including the
worst. To this end, one Star King, accompanied by four human master-criminals
(all five collectively named the Demon Princes), lay waste to a town, enslaving
or killing its inhabitants; amongst whom is the family of Kirth Gersen. Gersen
swears vengeance. Often melancholy, often dark, often funny, and always most
enjoyable.
The Killing Machine (1964)
Novel. Second in the “Demon
Princes” series. Gersen seeks out the second of the five Demon Princes
who destroyed his childhood family and friends. Another girl, further strange
planets and societies, but generally more of the same enjoyable stuff.
Collection. Consists of tales also
printed in The Worlds of Jack Vance. “The World Between,”
“The Moon Moth,” “Brain of the Galaxy,” “The
Devil on Salvation Bluff,” and “The Men Return.” (See that
entry for details).
Space Opera (1965)
Novel. Dame Isabel Grayce has
decided to take Earth-style grand opera to the various other races of the
galaxy. The performances, however, rarely meet with the reception hoped for.
Amusing enough, and Vance —at least to a prole like myself— shows
he has some knowledge of opera; but the book only just stays this side of
tedium in its episodic plotting. A better bet for this sort of thing is Kim
Stanley Robinson’s “The Memory of Whiteness”.
Novella. Hugo and Nebula Award
winner. The population of Earth is small, and housed, for the most part, in
nine castles. Without warning the alien servants at each castle revolt, and,
due to their erstwhile masters’ foolish contempt and overblown belief in
their own resources, swiftly take eight of the castles. However, waiting at
Hagedorn, The Last Castle, is a man with sufficient vision to comprehend the
only way in which the aliens can be defeated... Very colourful, perfect prose
and execution, but, all in all, typical Vance and surely not his most deserving
work for the Hugo and Nebula.
The Eyes of the Overworld (1966)
Novel. Episodic sequel to
“The Dying Earth”. Lacks some of the antiquity of its precursor,
but this is its only fault. Cugel the Clever, a vain, self-centred rogue, has
been cast halfway around the world by Iucounu the Laughing Magician in order to
acquire one of the Eyes of Overworld. His journey back, of course, is filled
with the weirdest happenings, not least of which is his unwitting consumption
—after toasting it over a brazier!— of TOTALITY, the universe
inversely viewed. Constantly witty, often surprising, “Overworld”
is a worthy sequel.
The Blue World (1966)
Novel. Explores one of
Vance’s favourite themes: Man as slave. On a water-bound world a peaceful
community living upon huge lily-pads worships a semi-intelligent underwater being,
King Kragen. In return for this worship and the food that is grown for him,
Kragen keeps at bay his lesser relatives. Only the pride of Sklar Hast and one
or two others is offended by this situation, and they resolve to do something
about it. Enjoyable, but barely manages to cover its short story origins.
The Brains of Earth (1966)
Novella. Paul Burke has discovered
that Mankind is under the sway of ethereal creatures occupying a dimension
adjacent to our own. He has been tasked by a powerful alien race to rid us of
our invisible masters before the race rids Earth of Mankind. But how can one
man convince the world of the horrible truth? A good page turner, though it
lacks much of Vance’s usual wit and style.
The Many Worlds of Magnus Ridolph (1966)
Collection.
Stories from the late forties and early fifties concerning the adventures of
Magnus Ridolph — one of those characters who you just know will sort things out in the end, no
matter the odds against success. An unlikely Vance hero, old, with no
particular physical attributes (whether in strength or appearance, unless you
count his white goatee), but possessed of a considerable intelligence and
confidence in his own abilities. These tales are all light-hearted entertainment,
written with precision. Consists of, “The Kokod Warriors,”
“The Unspeakable McInch,” “The Howling Bounders,”
“The King of Thieves,” “The Spa of the Stars” (probably
the best, with a very funny ending), and, “Coup de Grace.”
The
Novel. Third in the “Demon
Princes” series. Again, a further girl, further planets and societies,
another Demon Prince to execute. This time, however, Gersen is accompanied by a
sidekick in the interesting and humorous guise of the mad poet Navarth.
City
of the Chasch (1968)
Novel. See “Planet of
Adventure Omnibus.”
Servants
of the Wankh (1969)
Novel. Sequel to above. See
“Planet of Adventure Omnibus.”
The
Dirdir (1969)
Novel. Sequel to above. See
“Planet of Adventure Omnibus.”
Emphyrio (1969)
Novel. On the planet Halma a
stifling guild system tantamount to slave labour keeps the populace under
strict control. Ghyl Tarvok, fascinated by the ancient legend of Emphyrio (who supposedly
saved the original settlers from alien conquest), and angered by the wrongful
death of his father, becomes disillusioned with the system and seeks its
destruction — in enigmatic parallel with the Emphyrio legend. A
well-depicted childhood and denouncement of certain aspects of everyday life,
ensconced within the familiar Vance tropes of star-yachts, theosophical
piss-taking, and boy-meets-girl, make this a very good, more serious than
usual, book.
The
Pnume (1970)
Novel. Sequel to “The Dirdir.”
See “Planet of Adventure Omnibus.”
The Faceless Man (1971)
Novel. First in the Durdane
Trilogy. The inhabitants of Durdane lead a comfortable, trouble-free existence
— controlled as they are by exploding torcs about their necks. Gastel
Etzwane, wronged by Durdane law, escapes the torc to seek justice from He Whose
Finger is On The Button, so to speak. A highly unlikely society set in a
beautiful world, and both wonderfully evoked, make this worthy Vance and an
excellent start to a trilogy.
The Brave Free Men (1972)
Novel. Second in the Durdane
trilogy. Gastel Etzwane must unite the wildly diverse cantons of Shant against
the threat of the monstrous Roguskhoi. Very entertaining page-turner,
imaginative, inventive, employing all of Vance’s trademarks to their best
effects.
The Asutra (1973)
Novel. Third in the Durdane
trilogy. The Roguskhoi and their parasitic alien puppeteers have been forced
from Shant. But what of the rumours originating from the vast and wild
continent of Caraz — rumours of fearsome battles between huge
copper-coloured saucers and vast black globes? Gastel Etzwane feels compelled
to investigate. A satisfying close to the trilogy, surprisingly downbeat at the
very end.
Novel. An “Alastor
Cluster” book (tenuously connected to the “Gaean Reach”
books). After ten years, Glinnes Hulden has returned to his homeworld of
Trullion, to find circumstances not at all to his liking: his older brother is
missing, gipsies camp in his back garden, and half of his land has been
illegally sold. And what of the new cult of Fanscherade that has claimed his
younger brother and is sweeping over Trullion’s fens and islands, its doctrines
completely contrary to the normal easy-going ways of the Trill? Detailed and
beautifully written (especially concerning the languorous paradise of Trullion
itself).
The Worlds of Jack Vance (1973)
Collection. Classic Vance, with stories
—and one novella— from the forties, fifties, and sixties. There
isn’t a dud amongst them, though one or two lack some of the grace and
style of Vance’s best work. Consists of, “The World Between,”
“The Moon Moth,” “Brain of the Galaxy,” “The
Devil on Salvation Bluff,” “The Men Return,” “The Kokod
Warriors,” “The King of Thieves,” “Coup de
Grace,” and the novella, “The Brains of Earth,” (see above).
The Grey Prince (1974)
Novel. A “Gaean Reach”
book. On the planet Koryphon, revolution looms. The nomadic Uldras want the
vast stretches of land, forcibly taken from them centuries ago by the settling
Outkers, returned. But other, far older races than the Uldra exist upon
Koryphon — what of their claim? A detailed, interesting book, especially
where it concerns the political differences between Koryphon’s various
peoples. A journey across open steppe aboard a wheeled land-yacht lingers in the mind.
Showboat World (1975)
Novel. A “Big Planet”
book. Apollon Zamp, master of the showboat Miraldra’s Enchantment, has
won permission to compete in a Grand Festival at far-off Mornune. However, due
to the devious machinations of his arch-rival, Zamp loses boat, possessions,
troupe, and crew. How now will he get to Mornune? How can he compete without a
troupe? And what of the mysterious beauty who would accompany him no matter his
vicissitudes, and yet declines his every amorous advance? Written with high
style and wit, a book more like “Cugel’s Saga” —see
below— than “Big Planet.”
Marune: Alastor 993 (1975)
Novel. An “Alastor
Cluster” book. Pardero has lost his memory. However, by processes of
deduction and elimination, his origins are traced to the planet Marune, where
he holds a position of some distinction amongst its stifling society of Rhunes.
His return is not greeted with joy — quite the opposite, in fact. He
finds himself at the centre of a power-struggle of which he knows nothing, and
only by deciphering its intricacies can he learn who stole his memory. A trifle
uninvolving at first, but soon builds into an interesting mystery-cum-court
intrigue.
Maske: Thaery (1976)
Novel. A “Gaean Reach”
book. On the planet Maske, proud Jubal Droad, a younger brother and therefore
ineligible to become master of his ancestral home, roams the district of Thaery
in search of a befitting life. Due to certain revengeful desires, he becomes
embroiled in a plot that could change the whole of Maske. A mystery novel
slightly more light-hearted than “The Grey Prince”, imaginative, in
places eerily magical, drily ironic, and beautifully written throughout.
Wyst: Alastor 1716 (1978)
Novel. An “Alastor
Cluster” book. On little more than a whim, Jantiff Ravensroke travels to
the hyper-egalitarian city of
Fantasms and Magics (published as
collection, 1978)
Collection (though this is not even
alluded to on the cover of the Grafton copy). Headed by the novella “The
Miracle Workers,” the subjects of these stories range from voodooism to
the re-emergence of Earth into reality after a long sojourn in Chaos (of the
visible-sound, heard-aromas variety). There are no valuable insights or lessons
to be learned from any of these works (as Vance himself, in his introduction,
testifies) — they are simply good-old
suspend-your-disbelief-and-read-with-a-smile-on-your- face tales. Consists of
“The Miracle Workers,” “When the Five Moons Rise,”
“Noise,” “The New Prime,” “Guyal of Sfere”
(a “Dying Earth” extract), and “The Men Return.”