Posted by Frank Denton on February 26, 1999 at 18:39:14:
I think that Gene Wolfe comes somewhat close to Vance. His societies are surely different from those in which we live and his books are character driven, sometimes to the extent that some things get lost plotwise.
Another writer whose fantasies I've liked is Robert Silverberg. His five books set in Majipoor, beginning with Lord Valentine's Castle, are rich in both character and plot.
Try these two and see what you think.
Cheers,
Frank Denton