Posted by Mark T. on October 31, 1998 at 11:59:22:
In Reply to: Lyonesse Trilogy posted by Elizabeth McCollum on February 06, 1998 at 17:04:12:
: I would like to know if anyone else has had this experience. I love the Lyonesse trilogy, it's my favorite high fantasy series. But every time I mention it to die-hard fantasy/SF fans, they SNEER!! Yes, that's right, they sneer! I have been looking for any one who finds this series as fascinating and moving as I do. I hope maybe I've found it. I do not have my own e-mail account at the moment. But I am interested in any one else who wants to rave about this fabulous series with me. If you can, post a follow-up and I'll read it when I can. Thanks, and I hope this is not a misuse of this site.
:
I loved the Lyonesse trilogy; it is one of few works of
anyone I re-read a few times. Along with the classic "Dying
Earth" it is Vance's best fantasy--and his fantasy is better than his SF in my opinion. In SF I read Robert Forward (Dragon's Egg) and Gregory Benford, both actual scientists.
In Vance's SF one finds silly things like a star turned into a cinder etc. I feel the description of Suldrin's childhood
is subtle and poignant; her realtionship with the chairs
in the Hall of Honors (are these perceptions "real?") and
with that garden especially moved me. The manuevering and
strategies of the various Kings of the Elder Isles is
highly entertaining. My favorite bit overall has to be when Aillas and that Ska girl, Tatzel stay at the man's house whose
wife is a witch. Their discussions of payment are at once cogent, crafty, and elegant.