Posted by Douglas Nicholas on February 06, 1999 at 22:31:21:
In Reply to: Anyone else write like Vance? posted by Howard Ayee on February 05, 1999 at 11:49:22:
Well, no, but you might enjoy Lord Dunsany, whose stuff has the same sense of glittering menace: his classic short story "The Distressing Tale of Thangobrind the Jeweller" would not be out of place in "The Dying Earth."
E.R. Eddison evolved an amazing neo-medieval style; try his masterpiece "The Worm Ouroborous." Soldier on through the (quickly forgotten and very inferior) introductory setup chapter: once the story proper begins you will find strange characters unlike any others, wonderful names, a whizbang adventure plot and, of course, that wonderful style. His other stuff is beautiful but rather cloying; I find this true also of Clark Ashton Smith.
A little-known trilogy by a newspaperman of the Thirties, Leslie Barringer, "The Neustrian Cycle" ("Gerfalcon," "Joris of the Rock," and "Shy Leopardess") are set in an alternate-universe medieval France, have wonderful descriptions, well-rounded characters, a fully realized universe, thrilling plots, and the effortlessly competent prose written between the World Wars, not too stuffily archaic but not television ("Xena, it's time we discussed our relationship.") drivel either. Go to www.bibliofind.com and search for Leslie Barringer. "Gerfalcon" and "Shy Leopardess" are deeply satisfying worm-turns revenger tales in the Vancian mode, although of course Barringer preceded the Maestro.
Best to all,
Douglas Nicholas
: Hi,
: Does anyone know of other writers like Jack? You know, like style and color in the stories? I've tried reading many others, but find myself less satisfied. I usually resort to re-reading.
: Thanks!
: Howard