Posted by Dean McMillan on April 13, 1999 at 13:00:55:
In Reply to: Re: Only 15 of 17 posted by Terry on April 13, 1999 at 08:15:12:
I agree. Beyond question Cugel's Saga is the nonpareil of the dying Earth cycle, arguably the chef d'oeuvre (sp) of Vance's work. It is also the richest, most rewarding pure fantasy in print, J.R.R. notwithstanding. But you decide.
Meanwhile, if ever there was a heroic narrative of resplendent literary proportions, this is it. (...Faulkner's Yoknapatawpha could gather dust, and the trail of Vance's cunning cad yet be like home, for me. Indeed yes.)
--Dean
: John,
: Don't feel bad. I just happened to reread _CS_ and was struck by a couple things - one how good a book it is and how different Cugel is in this book than _TEotO_. In the latter book, not only does he defeat, destroy and discombobulate his nemesis Ioconnu, he acts in a much kinder manner.
: True, still a rogue, buch a rogue with heart. Some of the conniving and double dealing in the first book were so low and mean that Cugel is largely unsympathetic. He is much wiser and patient in the second and this patience eventually leads to victory.
: I had forgotten all of the details of _CS_ and recommend it for a reread. Had just gotten the SFBC _The Compleat Dying Earth_ and wanted to try it out. A little disappointed in the numerous typos (3 obvious ones when I wasn't looking isn't too good). Overall quality of the book and poster are nice.
: Tried to read _Rhialto the Marvelous_, but just couldn't get into it. Surely the least of the 4 books in the cycle. Have only managed to get through it once and remember it not at all except that it seemed not too bad a read at the time.