Posted by Richard Simms on August 17, 1998 at 20:46:23:
In Reply to: Where to start ? posted by Patrick Dusoulier on August 10, 1998 at 11:48:15:
I recently introduced somebody to Jack Vance. This person had read lots of s/f and fantasy before including authors such as Edmund Cooper, Raymond E. Feist, and Hugh Cook.
So there I was looking at the book shelf wondering which I would recommend as a first read.
My friend had said he was tired of the overlong "epic" fantasy series that are all the rage nowadays and yet despite this I recommended a series - The Planet of Adventure books.
To me these have everything; the descriptive passages that add mood and colour, the detailed sociological and cultural analysis of offbeat civilisations, good solid characterisation, humour, and importantly a hair raising plot!
Although a series, P.O.A is sharp, concise and to the point. It certainly is compared to today's fair anyway.
My friend enjoyed the books a great deal and was impressed by the style in which the adventure is told, which while excellent (he said), for a new reader may be hard to get used to.
I believe the P.O.A to be probably Vance's most accessible work; combining all the great qualities we love and is a good platform for exploring the other books.