Posted by Willem on April 01, 1998 at 09:49:36:
In Reply to: Ports of Call posted by Kris Sperry, M. D. on March 31, 1998 at 04:09:25:
Vance may well have put "continued in next installment" at the end, for there was essentially no resolution of any of the issues. His great aunt will show up again--in dire distress, no doubt. And, the young female romantic interest will materialize again, I am sure. The richness of writing style is there, but this is not one of Vance's best books, and having read it now, I feel that the hors d'ourves have been served, and the main course is yet to come.
I am sorry to say 'Could not agree more'
I was rereading to Live Forever at the same time (as follow up on a recent BBS-discussion) and when I compare the 2 books I miss a clear plot. It was only later that I realized that it is in part my expectations that are set high and in part that the story seems to be organised as in principle unrelated events. Looking for a clue is not what this book is about.
It reminded me of Space Opera and Showboat World.
I do hope that the sequel? will be an improvement compared to this one. Maybe we got used to an overdose of quality in the past?