Posted by Anders Monsen on November 05, 1996 at 07:48:07:
In Reply to: Vance top 5. posted by Tobias Seldon on November 04, 1996 at 05:46:08:
You've actually listed 18 books there, not five. However, all are excellent series, with some great novels among them. I always find it difficult to pick a 'favorite Vance novel.' After all, he has written a large pack of novels, and to single one out is almost unfair to the rest. If I try to choose one before the other, the qualities of both tend to mingle and waver, making it difficult to judge. However, if I must choose, based on those I re-read most often:
1) Strange Notions
2) Lyonesse: Madouc
3) Pnume
4) The Dying Earth
5) Araminta Station
I realize the first choice may be strange, as it is neither sf nor fantasy. However, it is uniquely Vance in characterization and style. The Demon Prince novels comprise my favorite series, although it is hard to choose the best one. Next is the Lyonesse series, which should be the cornerstone of all fantasy, not Tolkien's Hobbit novels (yeah, I loved 'em, too, but they pale in comparrison).
Other unusual books I would highly recommend are Dark Ocean, The Man in the Cage, and The View from Chickweed's Window. In the category of "Vance books that disturbed me" I would rate Bad Ronald first, and then The House on Lily Street. And as for favorite short story? What else but the one that got me started, "The Narrow Land."