The Jack Vance Reader [Hardcover]

Vance; Jack (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 2008

Jack Vance is science fiction s world-builder par excellence, a multi-award-winning Grand Master and much-loved doyen of the art of the planetary adventure. In a career spanning 59 years, Vance has been responsible -- more than any other writer in the field -- for creating exotic alien cultures and living, breathing worlds, among them Tschai, Durdane and Big Planet, Trullion, Cadwal and Wyst, Aerlith, Fader and Dar Sai.

Now, in a single impressive volume, The Jack Vance Reader brings together three of the master's very best planetary adventures: the internationally acclaimed Emphyrio, the classic interplanetary whodunnit, The Domains of Koryphon, and the provocative and unforgettable The Languages of Pao.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Subterranean; 1st edition (July 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596061561
• ISBN-13: 978-1596061569
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,434,734 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Disregard Previous comments, September 30, 2008

By 

Michael Hughes (Co.Kildare Eire European Union.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Jack Vance Reader (Hardcover)

Anyone new to Vance should completely disregard the previous entry. This is a worthy introduction to the World of Jack Vance. It is indeed frustrating that this writer has never received widespread recognition like Asimov for example. Now in his 90's it is probably fair to say that posthumous recognition is a certainty and he will be better known than he is now. The stories include the masterwork Emphyrio which is one of his best. If you are already a Vance fan, well its always necessary to add to the collection. By all means go ahead and buy a copy.
John Colum Hughes has given an honest appraisal in his review above. I echo the sentiment.

22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great edition, July 10, 2008

By 

John Colum Hughes (Spain and Eire) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Jack Vance Reader (Hardcover)

The Jack Vance reader contains Emphyrio,Languages of Pao and "The Domains of Koryphon" (previously known as The Gray Prince).This "new" title is the title Jack wanted and which the wonderful V.I.E (Vance Integral Edition) used in their sanctioned editions.I have the book and it is a beautiful and solid edition using high quality paper and with introductions from Robert Silverberg,Ursula K Le Guin and Mike Resnick....and what a bargain price.I too have many editions of the same books.The more the better when it comes to a fan of the great Jack V!
Later edit:I have just checked the first pages of the book (stating the previous publications)and it states within that "The domains of Koryphon" was also called "The grey prince".No charge of misguiding the public or "deceptive practice" can be leveled against Subterranean Press.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous introduction to Vance for me, October 5, 2008

By 

Kenneth R. Austin (Knoxville, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Jack Vance Reader (Hardcover)

I had never heard of Jack Vance until I was reading a eulogy for Dungeons and Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax, where Vance's work was listed as an influence on the D&D rules. I was surprised, because I thought over the last thirty years I had traced down all the authors who'd influenced Gygax and Arneson. Recently I saw his name again where someone noted Jack's influence on the rules had been removed in the new edition. Being a completist, I immediately headed for Amazon.

This was my first Jack Vance read, and I was enchanted. I couldn't believe I had never heard of him. The Languages of Pao belongs on a list of American literary greats. As another reviewer noted, it is unfortunate that he has not had the opportunity to enjoy the popularity he deserves. I followed up this purchase with Tales of Dying Earth, another treasure trove.

Jack is now the number one bullet in my clip for when my friends toss up their "What should I read next?" clay pigeon.