Posted by Martin Read on August 11, 1998 at 05:24:29:
In Reply to: Re: Where to start ? posted by Rodger Whitlock on August 10, 1998 at 12:29:07:
: : [snip] what JV book to recommend as a first initiation ?
:
: Perhaps the best criterion for choosing The Starting Vance Book is whether it fully exemplifies Vance's writing style and his great gift for descriptive prose.
: All things considered, I'd suggest "The Dirdir" or "Araminta Station" or "Eyes of the Overworld", but there are many others of equal stature in the Vancean oeuvre.
: Would your question be better if you asked "which Vance books would enthusiasts *not* recommend for a first timer?"
It might be interesting to do a "Straw-poll" of the contributers to this site, to find out what their first Vance novel was, and how they became addicted.
My first was The Blue World, followed by The Dragon Masters, both of which I enjoyed immensely. However, I would say that it was when I subsequently read the short story anthology Fantasms and Magics (sp?) that I became a true convert.
As for the books I would not recommend for a Vance newcomer, well personally I wouldn't suggest any of the series, I've found that the prospect of three or four books in a row puts some people off immediately. Of the single titles I wouldn't recommend Showboat World, Big Planet, The Grey Prince or The Languages of Pao. I think these books do not have the kind of straightforward plot development which would hook a new reader. I would recommend Emphyrio, The Blue Planet or even Slaves of the Klau!