Posted by David Pierce on July 27, 1998 at 22:40:41:
So there is apparently a "harsh dismissal" of "Ports of Call" in the current Analog. Negative reviews have also appeared in other mags. Haven't read the Analog, but the reviewers I've scanned fail to see that Jack is writing in a free new way that's as wry as ever and lacks not for plot, and contains episodes of emotional growth. "Night Lamp" perhaps foreshadowed Jack's interest in more emotional characters, though really most of his novels delve into the motivations of souls ("Wyst," as but one example). "Ports of Call" is a sheer joy to read, and some of the names and situations it contains have made me laugh so hard I banged my head and spilled drinks on precious papers. What was it this time: "Sprang hoppers?" (Not certain if that is exact name.) Jack's description of them and their abyss gave me moments of pleasure the likes of which only Jack Vance books can produce. In "Ports of Call" Jack's improvizational word-skills are displayed with mastery. I'd recommend the book to anyone looking a fine novel-reading experience.