Jack Vance is probably the world's greatest living fantasy writer, each new book is a heralded event, and he's a favorite of all readers who enjoy quality work. The following short interview offers just a small glimpse of the author and his work, but I'm sure you'll enjoy
A MEETING WITH JACK VANCE Following up on an invitation I had received from Jack Vance months earlier, I finally made arrangements to visit him at his Oakland home on a Saturday in mid-April. Transportation that day was provided by Michael Tallan, a close friend of mine who collects both sf *and* mystery books and is a rabid Jack Vance fan. I myself brought ten books to be signed, including the five original Demon Princes paperbacks (Berkley Medallion and DAW Books), while Michael brought along a small boxful, which included the Summer, 1945, issue of THRILLING WONDER STORIES containing Jack Vance's first published story, "The World-Thinkers".Conducted April 15, 1989
by
Marty Halpern
It was a typically warm, sunny Northern California afternoon, and a wonderful day to go visiting. Jack provided us with excellent directions from Berkeley -- Ashby Avenue, past the Berkeley Claremont Hotel, and onto the Warren Freeway. The Vance home, in the Oakland foothills, is atop a steep, long, gravel driveway. Michael parked at the bottom, off the main road, and we walked up the hill. Jack's son, John, met us out in front of the house and escorted us inside.
The Vances have a three-story hillside home. One walks up a flight of stairs, from the ground level, into the living quarters. Jack informed us that he purchased this land (and the "shack" that existed on it) in the 50's after completing a stint with the Merchant Marines. Over the years, he built up the property, initially by himself and then later with the help of John, to create the existing marvel. There is a room, above the kitchen, with an interior balcony that overlooks the dining area below!
Mrs. Vance -- Norma -- greeted Michael and me and guided us to the dining area where we sat and awaited Jack. Norma was most cordial throughout the entire afternoon, offering us cold drinks immediately upon our arrival.
I learned to my surprise, that Jack is an avid potter and has a workshop downstairs. After joining us at the table, his hands still covered with the white of dried clay, Jack explained that he recently purchased a computer program on the subject of mixing glazes, but was having some difficulty with the software due to the flurry of computer-ese throughout the documentation. Jack even showed us the program manual in order to make his point. I offered Michaels' talents as a programmer to Jack but he declined the offer, explaining that he had telephoned the program's authors and was able to use the software.
For the next two hours, Jack, Michael, and I chatted around the dining room table, munching mixed nuts from a large bowl that Norma provided us. We discussed many of Jack's written works, past and present, and his future plans. Michael and I eagerly kept a constant flow of books in front of Jack until all were autographed. Due to Jack's limited eyesight, he uses a bold marker to sign books, his signature filling the page from margin to margin. I took a few photographs of Jack autographing our books but, choosing not to impose upon him with the use of a flash, the pictures unfortunately came out dark. In retrospect, I'm now sorry that I didn't snap a picture or two of the Vance house.
During this time, I asked Jack Vance four questions Gary Lovisi, PAPERBACK PARADE editor, had provided me. Jack was opposed to me recording our conversation, however he did suggest that I take notes instead. What follows is Jack's responses to the four questions. I have quoted Jack to the best of my ability, using my cryptic and incomplete notes. In regards to Jack's harangue of our "popular culture", he did go on a bit and then asked that I not print all of his comments on that point; what you read here is an abbreviated version.
MARTY HALPERN: "Could you explain how THE DYING EARTH tales came to be written and from what influences (such as Clark Ashton Smith and James Branch Cabell) they may have sprung?
JACK VANCE: "I read Smith as a kid and was intrigued by his writing, so he has influenced me to some extent. Cabell, though, no, I didn't like. There were a lot of influences and it would be most difficult to put names to all of them. Robert Louis Stevenson, for one ... GOLDEN BOOK MAGAZINE had a fantasy story each month, a wonderful magazine. A hundred writers who I assimilated on how to write a story, but I didn't set out to imitate any one style. I loved the OZ books as a child too, but you'll not see any of those influences in my work. I loved Edgar Rice Burroughts as a kid -- Barsoom!
P.G. Wodehouse is my God. I think he's the greatest 20th Centrury writer, but he ran out of gas after the war. His best stories were in the 20's.
I wrote THE DYING EARTH when I was a seaman, at sea. I wrote a number of short stories that I couldn't get published, so, over time, I put them all together. It's really not a novel but a collection of related stories. If people want to call it a novel, then so be it."
HALPERN: "THE DYING EARTH stories were written in the 40's, published in the 50's, and considered classic by the 60's. Do you see these stories as a metaphor for a kind of creeping decadence which seems to be growing with each passing year, as time slips into the 1990's and beyond?"
VANCE: "A metaphor? No. This is my feeling about the popular culture -- rotten rock 'n roll, rotten movies, decadence. All this drug business is the end result of it. The popular culture is so immersed in entertainment -- sports, movies, television; they make all the big money and it is taken for granted that this is the way we live."
HALPERN: "What made you return to THE DYING EARTH series with two books in the 80's, and are any more planned?"
VANCE: "I had CUGEL'S SAGA in my mind for a long time, and the two of them make a complete story but I don't have any plans at this time to go back to that series."
HALPERN: "You obviously love the flavor and texture of words. How do you come up with the names that you do, names that sound just right, as if they were meant to be?"
VANCE: "Are you a musician? No? Well, if you are and you play a particular note or chord and you have a sensitive ear, then you can see if it's 'in accordance with a chord'. It's a tricky business..."
It was nearly dinnertime and one could sense that the visit had come to a close; Michael and I said our "goodbyes" and "thank yous" and saw ourselves out. The drive home was most enjoyable, our conversation filled with talk of the Vance's hospitality and wondrous home. Jack Vance, with his adventurous characters, shall continue to be one of my favorite authors. I'm now looking forward to re-reading the Demon Princes series!
Copyright © 1990 by Marty Halpern. All rights reserved.
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