Posted by The Professor on February 27, 1998 at 22:49:13:
In Reply to: Re: Lyonesse Trilogy posted by Rob Swiatek on February 18, 1998 at 11:58:32:
4) His characters. I find many of Jack Vance's characters to be sensitively drawn, quiet types who don't intentionally begin as iconoclasts but are pushed in that direction by events or situations. Once their tasks are complete, they retire to their deck chair, or country wanderings or some such. No lofty aspirations to rule the universe. I kind of like that.
: --Rob Swiatek
Rob, I couldn't agree more. I can't help liking Vance's characters, which span a very wide range (unlike many other writer who can only write standard heroe's & villains), all the way from selfish opportunist rascals such as Cugel, to ingenious old-goat types such as Magnus Ridolph (ultimate symbol of brains over brawn); to ultra heroes such as Keith Gersen & Adam Reith who combine intelligence, courage, loyalty, fairness, empathy, physical strength/fighting skills in a single individuals; to Aillas of the Lyonesse Trilogy; to the various youths depicted in Emphyrio and other books (I can't seem to recall the names of
some characters right now).
One thing I think all of the hero/protagonists have in common (except Cugel & hero of Showboat World) is that they are not self important braggarts, even though they have sufficient self confidence to carry on their "mission". Most if not all, also, acknowledge, their limitations, and often ponder their life goals, whether it is their relentless hunt for justice (Emphyrio), or revenge (Demon Princes), or a way home (Planet of Adventure). They, like real people, have bouts of sadness & despair, make mistakes, and sometimes lose people they really care about. They show frailties. They often suffer. How else can a hero (or heroine) have empathy for others, how else a thirst for justice without having tasted injustice and brutality (Demon Princes, Emphyrio, Lyonesse)?