Customer Reviews

The Pnume (Planet of Adventure, Vol. 4)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having outwitted the three alien races that dominate Tschai, with the vessel that will take him back to Earth, Adam Reith encounters one last obstacle. The Pnume, who keep millions of years of history crystallized in their caverns have noticed Reith. And have decided he is a prime collectible. Aila Woudiver, who would like to see Reith dead, sells him to the Gzhindra, Pnumekin who wander Tschai's surface in the service of their underground masters.

Reith, by virtue of quick thinking, manages to arrive in the depths as a fugitive, rather than a prisoner. And so begins a series of adventures and travels more extensive than any that have happened so far. He kidnaps a young Pnumekin woman - to be named ZAP 210 and convinces her to lead him to freedom. No small task in a world full of secrets. But with the aid of a stolen map, they are on their way. Gradually, ZAP 210 finds Reith's 'boisterous' behavior less and less repellent. Achingly slowly, their relationship matures and becomes the second story of the series.

Vance gives us a whirlwind tour of yet another facet of life on Tschai, making us privy to the society of the Pnume and their servants. Quiet and subdued, their entire focus is the keeping of 'Foreverness,' their great museum. And on the surface, we discover such thinks as crooked ell racing. Vance again proves his ability to paint his story in vivid colors and deftly go beyond the constraints of simple action fiction.

This ends a series that I will always consider one of Vance's best efforts. He will go on to write countless new tales, and with each one, I always wonder, "Will this be just as good as..." Almost without fail, it is. But only rarely is it better.

I read the 1979 DAW paper edition, which has a weak cover illustration, but a charming black and white drawing of one of the title creatures, accurately depicting its skeletal horse head, black hat and black cloak, opposite the title page.

I am a Vance skeptic. I often feel his novels lack plot and characterization, and that the cultures and situations he creates are totally unbelievable, not even internally consistent, and just exist as a frame on which Vance lovingly hangs his long baroque descriptions of clothes, food, and landscape, and a canvas on which Vance paints his unrelentingly cynical and pessimistic view of people and life. Vance, however, is highly regarded, including by people I greatly respect, like Gene Wolfe and Robert Silverberg, so I am still willing to give him a chance now and then. "The Pnume," the fourth of the "Tschai" books, is making me reconsider my harsh assessment of Vance.

Each novel in the Tschai series is better than the one before it, and "The Pnume" is the best Vance I have ever read, focusing more on character development and relationships. I recommend it, and am inspired by it to seek out some more Vance.