Posted by Manuman on July 24, 1999 at 10:17:49:
In Reply to: will the real Jack Vance please sit down posted by teaser on July 21, 1999 at 19:28:55:
: Several weeks ago, Nick postulated that Baron Bodissey was, in essence, a scion of the author. Although I disagreed with his choice, I found the idea intriguing - of all the characters who speak Vance's words, which ones speak with his voice? Or, more simply, are there any characters in his writings based on Vance himself?
: My nominations are two:
: Pirie Tamm, Wayness' uncle in Ecce and Old Earth
: Travante, the wandering septuagenarian in Madouc
: The question itself is probably faulty - Vance is no Phil Farmer - but I'm curious if anyone has recognised the author dropping himself in elsewhere.
: teaser
I've always thought that Ardrian of Ramy in Nightlamp might have spoke with Vance's voice when he was describing his potion pouring skills when Jaro arrives in Romarth:
It always makes me think that Vance is describing his later style compared to his earlier works in his 'youth', when Ardrian says, "Perhaps I have lost a bit of directional energy, 'verve' if you like, but I may have gained in the shadings and afterthoughts".
I may be going mad though.