Posted by David Pierce on September 22, 1999 at 21:30:50:
In Reply to: Re: Vance and caves posted by Dan Gunter on September 22, 1999 at 13:02:05:
[Grins.]
: I had initially ignored Tres X's post, assuming (for some less than obvious reason) that it was merely pornographic. Your post assured me otherwise, and so I turned to Tres X's post to scan his (I'm sure the pronoun is correct) contribution. I found what is, truly, an example of incisive, even probing, literary criticism. I thought to recognize Alusz Iphigenia (etc.) in her later years, after separating from Kirth Gersen, trying to earn money to take her back home to Thamber.
: : Tres X's post below reminded me of Vance's intense dislike of caves. Good golly, Jack displayed courage when he took Cugel to the cave in the forest, and led Adam Reith through the passages of Tschai. For Jack, the thought of dark enclosed spaces brings horror. Yet Jack has remarked that he likes to write himself into corners much the same as Earl Hines works musical corners when tinkling ivorys. One of Jack's ironies is that his phobia of caves and closets provokes him to great writing. The whole "rat-folk" episode, hilarious probably to many of us, must have been thoroughly frightening to Vance as he pencilled it in his notebook. Can relate to this: I have a horror of birds flapping near my personal space, yet have turned this unreasonable fear to my favor in writing. Therapy is happening here, I suppose, but let's hope that Jack continues with his. Has this post's material been covered before? I can't remember; too lazy to check.