Posted by Rich Thomas on January 05, 1999 at 08:43:34:
In Reply to: Shocking language in Ports of Call! posted by Philip Bell on December 19, 1998 at 15:09:07:
: Well, not really, but I was a bit surprised to see the use of the word "arse" in a Jack Vance novel. I can't recall him using even mild swear words in any other book as he tends to use rather more ornate descriptions, and like Asimov, never ventures into the bedroom with his characters. Anyone care to comment, or correct me?
: Philip
Well, some people have replied concerning the "swearing" aspect of your question, so I'll restrict myself to the bedroom - so to speak.
Ports of Call is not the first Vance novel to include a bedroom scene - I assume you are referring to the attempted murder scene.
NightLamp didn't attempt a bedroom scene, although there can be no confusion as what Skirl and Jaro left to do after the final dinner in the Faths family home.
Araminta Station also included a bedroom scene, although not between Galwen and Wayness, but between Jaro and one of the acolytes at the monomantic seminary, whose name breifly escapes me. This was to test Glawen and also introduce duomantic thinking in the acolyte in question.
Finally, off the top of my head, in Trullion: Alastor 2262, there is a bedroom scene between the hero Glinnes Hulden and the reluctant heroine whose name I forget - I must do better.
Thus, three examples to counterbalance the argument that Vance doesn't do bedroom scenes. Admittedly, they aren't in the same ball park as your average hollywood/fantasy hack-and-slash, but then that ball-park happens to be several divisions below the writing of Jack anyway.
Furthermore, one of the most entertaining scenes I have read in ages comes with Skirl's description of sexual attraction and the sexual act to Gar' in Ports of Call. Utterly hilarious and all the more so for the amazingly circumspect language she uses. Marvellous.
Cheers,
Rich.