Posted by Lyall Simmons on August 11, 1998 at 13:52:44:
In Reply to: Re: Where to start ? posted by Martin Read on August 11, 1998 at 05:24:29:
: : : [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!
How about a smaller dose then? I always start interested enqirerers on 'Chateau D'if' or 'The men return'. If they don't like those, in my experience they seldom go on to enjoy any more. Conversely, I've had a number of successful 'converts' with these stories