Posted by James Wadsley on March 30, 1998 at 17:27:39:
In Reply to: Re: Prototypical Vance hero's Romantic Interest posted by Trusty Jules on March 23, 1998 at 02:28:51:
: : Once thing is certain, Vance's books are no guides to dealing with women or picking up girls. No matter how much I love Vance's books, his treatment of women characters (I mean literary treatment) has always failed to satisfy me. With the exception of some of his latest books there are virtually no women characters playing a role as an independent thinking active person.
: It took me many years to get my wife to appreciate Vance for this very reason. After reading the demon princes series she was almost offended by the way women characters are portrayed. In her view Vance was himself obviously unable to deal with women. I am less negative, Vance is simply just as or even more mystified than all of us by the female race, a point he makes no apology for. It was only on learning that Norma has a large influence on Vance's work that my wife became less concerned about this point.
I admit to being new here and I have never seen Vance analysed like this before! I read and enjoy Vance because he obeys no
strictures of political correctness and also does not enforce
a particular view. His protagonists have their views but
there is nothing to indicate they are right. Vance offers a rare
opportunity to read about a circumstance or moral dilemmma (if you
prefer) without suffering overbearing opinion such as is
present in news and many more recent novels.
In regard to his female characters. I have always though of
Vance as a romantic. His female leads are usually less driven
than the male, but being driven is in no way an ideal state.
They are not simpering or stupid -- which I would find
objectionable. There are characters male and female with
the whole spectrum of personality types in most of his
novels.
I must admit to a human failing which is to prefer love
interests in the typical mould present in the Vance novels: (Pining for Sessily over Wayness I'm afraid) Something of
the beautiful being that comes to you of its own accord
(though not necessarily right away)
and makes the world glow in detail you never before
apprehended.
James.