Fools Errant [Mass Market Paperback]

Matthew Hughes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2001

In the Penultimate Age of the Archonate, callow young fop Filidor Vesh is perfectly content to spend his days in the pursuit of shallow amusements, until he is summoned by a wizened old dwarf in need of a voluntary good deed - deliver a parcel to his uncle, the all -powerful and original 98th Archon, sole ruler of the world. So begins Filidor's reluctant odyssey through peculiar provinces peopled with odious denizens, including such road killers as mutant rodents, alien ants and a vengeful thamaturge. Now in terra incognito, his narrow conception of life shaken to the extreme, Filidor will strive to say and do the right things...and grow up in the process.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Matthew Hughes's impressive first novel, Fools Errant, is set in a future so distant and strange, it may be read with equal enjoyment by both SF and fantasy readers. The book kicks off with a Wildean battle of wits, but the main influences on this ironic, rather picaresque, and altogether delightful entertainment are Jack Vance and Jonathan Swift.

Filidor Vesh is a languid, callow young dandy, "the nephew and sole heir of Dezendah Vesh, ninety-eighth (or possibly ninety-ninth) Archon of those regions of old Earth still inhabited by human beings"; he anticipates a long life of idle pleasure, but a mysterious dwarf spirits him away on a dangerous journey. It quickly becomes apparent that their search for the Archon is an excuse to visit bizarre, fascinating lands. The reader won't mind. The characters are charming and singular, and the journey is packed with pleasures and perils. --Cynthia Ward

From Publishers Weekly

Combining many of the elements of a good fantasy (quest, magic, strange lands and memorable characters), Hughes's rollicking debut details the coming-of-age of young Filidor Vesh, nephew to the Archon of Old Earth. The journey begins when Filidor and his aging mentor, Gaskarth, agree to deliver a package to the Archon. En route, they encounter weird and often humorous lands and people whose lives revolve around a distinct value (such as the Jampions who care only about competition, or the Zeelotes who prize innovation). Readers may be disappointed, however, by the novel's rather episodic structure. Filidor's odyssey swiftly falls into a pattern in which Filidor travels to a new land, faces some mortal peril at the hands of an extremist community, overcomes his peril and then travels to the next land. Hughes thankfully breaks from this cycle toward the end of the book when the true nature of Filidor's quest is revealed. Despite the plot's predictability, Hughes has crafted a worthwhile tale reminiscent of Gulliver's Travels. The individual cultures are well-conceived and enjoyable, and the images that Hughes conjures will stick with the reader long after the plot is forgotten. (Mar.)
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Aspect; Warner Books Ed edition (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446609234
• ISBN-13: 978-0446609234
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,556,971 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fool's Errant--a good book, March 3, 2001

By 

Richard S Cloud (Boise, ID United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fools Errant (Mass Market Paperback)

Young Filidor Vesh whiles away his days, seeking shallow pursuits until his uncle, the Archon, sends for him. Unable to escape Gaskarth, the small man(or dwarf)his uncle has sent, young Filidor Vesh finds himself traveling unwillingly from country to country one step behind the mysterious Archon. At each country young Filidor blunders to find himself unwillingly, and generally unawaringly helping the local citizenry. But even Gaskarth becomes worried when a magician decides that he wants something in Filidor's possession. Even worse, young Filidor soon realizes that the fate of the world may rest upon the shoulders of a dwarf--and himself--a fool errant.

This is a delightful first book. While it is not as original as Vance's "Jack of Shadows", it has that fantasy-science fictiony flavor. It is set in a world on the cusp of both magic and science. While it is not as funny generally as Robert Aspirin's work, it has its moments. This book falls short of truly excellent in that it has slow spots (such as when Filidor reads about Osfeo, a former Archon)and the plotting is not totally seemless. However, it is a great first book. I would definately be inclined to buy Matthew Hughes' second book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantasy in the Jack Vance style, March 1, 2001

By 

Mike Berro (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fools Errant (Mass Market Paperback)

A delightful picaresque adventure in the style of Jack Vance's THE DYING EARTH series, especially Cugel's Saga. A reluctant Pilgrim's Progress through a variety of cultures and societies found in Earth's far future.

The distinction between science fiction and fantasy in this milieu is blurred, and in fact, irrelevent. The setting is believable and appropriate either way you choose to look at it. The story is exciting and humourous, and the dialogue witty and sparkling (and more than a little reminiscent of PG Wodehouse.).

I feel that this book is both suitable and appealing for all ages.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshingly funny !!!, May 20, 2002

By 

Luk Schoonaert (Antwerp) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fools Errant (Mass Market Paperback)

Being a Jack Vance fan it was inevitable to run into Matthew Hughes at a certain point... And where I feared that the comparison with Jack Vance might put the expectations very high, Matt succeeded in creating a wonderful fantasy/SF world with all it's funny inhabitants and colorful places.

It's the first time that a new writer manages to catch the Vance feeling in his writing ! Especially the magnificent blend of fantasy with science fiction is unique in Matt's decor's !

Well done Matthew !!! We want more !!!

PS. The second book "Fool me twice" is even better !!!