reiher@UCLA-LOCUS.ARPA (07/03/84)
From: Peter Reiher <reiher@UCLA-LOCUS.ARPA> I'd like to put in an enthusiastic plug for Jack Vance's "Lyonesse", a new or relatively new work of fantasy. Vance is one of the few science fiction authors who really know how to write, rather than just how to string together plot and gimmicks. "Lyonesse" is a fine example of his work. "Lyonesse", unlike his Dying Earth books, is in the form of an extended fairy tale for adults. The language is not as wryly baroque, but is still quite rich, and very funny in the appropriate places. The story concerns a mythical continent, now sunk beneath the waves, during the early middle ages. It is a land of fairies and magic, at least more so than the rest of Europe, relatively untouched by Christianity. (Vance does not give a very portrait of that religion, which might offend those born again.) The continent is divided up into several kingdoms, and is threatened by invasion by the ruthless Ska, who consider all other humans little better than animals. Several of the kings scheme to reunite the realms under one rule. Power- ful wizards remain mostly aloof in the background. But this isn't really the story of great policy, but rather the tale of a beautiful, forlorn princess, a betrayed prince, their lost child, and a wizard with a softer heart than is usual among his kind. The book is filled with death defying escapes, battles, treachery, magic, and quests, one leading to another. There are suitably nasty villains, who, rather uniquely, have their points of view, too, and are not mere stick figures of evil. There are also many characters who combine good traits and bad. Vance is one author in sf who knows how to create real characters, and isn't afraid to sacrifice them, when necessary. "Lyonesse" is a fairly long book (over 400 pages of fairly small type) and leaves you wanting more. Just as well, then, that this is the first book of a series of unspecified length. Vance's is the most impressive fantasy world I've encountered since my mother read me "The Lord of the Rings" (a looong time ago). I recommend it without reservation. Peter Reiher reiher@ucla-cs.arpa