Posted by Terry on March 02, 1998 at 14:11:07:
In Reply to: Re: Comments on Vance Villains posted by Peter R Booth on February 28, 1998 at 00:19:40:
Often Vance villains are held off stage in the dark until the right moment, like _Star King_, _Night Lamp_, and even the Meks in _The Last Castle_. Vance's heroes as has been remarked here before tend to be more monochromatic, being I think the Vance ideal of hero and that is not a variable. But with the villains, Vance's power of evoking the dark side of human nature is unparalled.
>Viole Falushe was admittedly one sick individual.
I guess sick is what I'm after, 'cause that's who came to mind first. But, then I'd have to put fat Father Umphred up there. His oily, unctuous evil over the three Lyonesse books made his demise one of the most beautiful Vancian moments. Drug across the deck by the anchor chain, I can still remember the joy that flooded me as he clutched at the ship and was pulled to his doom. Clearly my favorite villain demise.
Often Vance's women are the vessels of evil as well (M. Zigonee sp?) in _Araminta Stantion_ and Casimir's queen and Umphred's dogged supporter are memorable.