Posted by Gene Muehlbauer on March 29, 1998 at 05:31:58:
In Reply to: (spoiler!): About Ports of Call posted by Menno vd leden on March 29, 1998 at 03:54:20:
: Spoiler: If you haven't read the book and you don't want to know my opinion then don't read further.
: I'm near the end of POC (Dutch version).
: Though -ofcourse- I really enjoy reading it, I somehow find myself looking for a main theme. The book consist of small moments that are nice in their way, but there is no real Quest, no suspence, like we are used in Vance's books. There isn't even a main character. The story is build around Myron, but he is no hero (like Gersen, Reith, Glawen & Wayness, ...). Other people play a just as important role as Myron does.
: There are a lot of Vance's cliche's. (a group of men on a ship, the femme fatale, the volumpuous woman, good food, traveling, ...) but that doesn't seem to be enough.
: I hate to say it, but I find the book disappointing. (sorry ;)
: Opinions anyone?
: Menno
I agree. I kept waiting for a plot to develop. Now I'm thinking that "Ports of Call" was only a long, (maybe too long), teaser, and that one or more suspenseful stories (the search for lurulu, or perhaps Myron's aunt and her quest for the fountain of youth), will show up in the sequel.
Gene