Bøger af Jack Vance

This collection of early work contains thirteen stories written during Jack Vance's apprenticeship in the pulp magazine era of the late 40s and early 50s, including: The Potters of Firsk (1950), where wondrous artifacts are crafted using lime from the bones of the dead-and occasionally, the living.Parapsyche (1958), reminiscent of one of Vance's California-based mysteries, deals with the paranormal. Don Berwick studies mediums who communicate with the dead, but has an enemy in his fanatical evangelist brother-in-law, Hugh Bronny.Sail 25 (1962) introduces Henry Belt, who trains cadets for work in space. In a light-sail driven craft, cadets are expected to demonstrate their abilities by navigating to Mars and back. If things go wrong, Belt is locked in his cabin drinking whisky, and won't help-because he expects to die in space!These stories demonstrate the range of Vance's imagination, and the stylistic gifts which would bring him the SFWA Grandmaster award in 1997, and a place in the Science Fiction Hall of Fame.Sail 25 and Other Stories is Volume 6 of the Spatterlight Press Signature Series.Released in the centenary of the author's birth, this handsome new collectionis based upon the prestigious Vance Integral Edition. Select volumes enjoyup-to-date maps, and many are graced with freshly-written forewords contributedby a distinguished group of authors. Each book bears a facsimile of theauthor's signature and a previously-unpublished photograph, chosen from family archives for the period the book was written. These uniquefeatures will be appreciated by all, from seasoned Vance collector to new reader sampling the spectrum of this author's influential work forthe first time. - John Vance II

Jack Vance mastered his craft over more than sixty years, garnering awards including the Nebula, Edgar, two Hugos, and the 1997 SFWA Grandmaster. The stories in this collection were written through the early-mid period of his career, spanning twenty years from the early 50's on. Vance would dismiss his early work as juvenile, "gadget"-oriented, lacking subtlety and polish. Even so, these stories are hearty and entertaining. Vance's perception, imagination and eventful personal experience are all visible, staking the way for significant things to come. Extraterrestrials are difficult to portray, but Vance takes a swing with Phalid's Fate (1951), Nopalgarth (1966), and The Narrow Land (1967). Shape-Up and Crusade to Maxus are classic SF. The Augmented Agent and Milton Hack from Zodiac are intrigues, with recognizable prototypes of Magnus Ridolph and Miro Hetzel.The conflict between conservers and exploiters is a theme Vance would return to with Maske: Thaery and The Cadwal Chronicles. The Gift of Gab (1955) throws in a twist: the challenge to communicate with a non-human race having no language.Chateau d'If (1950) highlights the collection. Critics were divided on the merits of the story (originally published as New Bodies for Old) but agreed the atmosphere was the creation of a major talent. In a future city all needs are met, and the greatest threat is ennui. Seeking novelty, Roland Mario gets more than he bargained for when his mind is placed in the flaccid body of an unhealthy man, having an unhappy family and messy professional life. Inhabiting every uncomfortable aspect of the man's life, Mario determines to win back his own body. This won't be easy or quick, but he rolls up his sleeves, and the venture ultimately provides what Roland sought in the first place. In the end, he faces an unexpected choice.Chateau d'If and Other Stories is Volume 13 of the Spatterlight Press Signature Series.Released in the centenary of the author's birth, this handsome new collectionis based upon the prestigious Vance Integral Edition. Select volumes enjoyup-to-date maps, and many are graced with freshly-written forewords contributedby a distinguished group of authors. Each book bears a facsimile of theauthor's signature and a previously-unpublished photograph, chosen from family archives for the period the book was written. These uniquefeatures will be appreciated by all, from seasoned Vance collector to new reader sampling the spectrum of this author's influential work forthe first time. - John Vance II

Eight of these nine stories were published between 1951 and 1955, years when Jack Vance wrote for the pulp magazines. Even in this early work, the voice of the future SFWA Grandmaster may be heard.Jean Parlier is the first of Vance's strong female protagonists. Captivatingly amoral, Jean seeks her fortune in Abercrombie Station, providing a gravity-free paradise for the obese. In Cholwell's Chickens, she sets out (like Madouc, nearly 40 years later) to find her pedigree.Before Gold and Iron and Komeitk Lelianr-there was Lurulu, another gold-skinned Lekthwan. Sole survivor of a spaceship crash, The Golden Girl is stranded on Earth, only of her kind. She is lionized, fêted and courted by a fascinated public, but pines for home.Meet Miss Universe introduces 23 contestants from throughout the galaxy, some human, some monstrous. The winner will be judged by standards of beauty from her home world. She will choose her own prize, and the organizers must fulfill their obligation!Alice Tynnott is The Insufferable Red-headed Daughter of Commander Tynnott, O.T.E. (originally published as Assault on a City). After spending the first seventeen years of her life on rural planets, Alice visits urban Earth; attractive and self-assured, her confidence inspires men to think she is naive and vulnerable-but this is not the case, and scoundrels will learn a memorable lesson. The Golden Girl and Other Stories is Volume 25 of the Spatterlight Press Signature Series.Released in the centenary of the author's birth, this handsome new collectionis based upon the prestigious Vance Integral Edition. Select volumes enjoyup-to-date maps, and many are graced with freshly-written forewords contributedby a distinguished group of authors. Each book bears a facsimile of theauthor's signature and a previously-unpublished photograph, chosen from family archives for the period the book was written. These uniquefeatures will be appreciated by all, from seasoned Vance collector to new reader sampling the spectrum of this author's influential work forthe first time. - John Vance II

With his silver hair, neat goatee and fastidious habits, elderly mathematician Magnus Ridolph doesn't look like the mercenary detective, troubleshooter and rascal that he is.In these ten stories, Magnus Ridolph accepts a variety of baffling assignments, from halting the tribal warfare of the Kokod warriors, to solving the mystery of exploding cans of sardines imported from Chandaria. His wits and unusual methods bring each to a surprising conclusion!Written between 1948 and 1957, the tales in this book establish Magnus Ridolph as a memorably spry and resourceful troubleshooter with nerves of steel-and a knack for getting the goods.Magnus Ridolph is Volume 2 of the Spatterlight Press Signature Series.Released in the centenary of the author's birth, this handsome new collectionis based upon the prestigious Vance Integral Edition. Select volumes enjoyup-to-date maps, and many are graced with freshly-written forewords contributedby a distinguished group of authors. Each book bears a facsimile of theauthor's signature and a previously-unpublished photograph, chosen from family archives for the period the book was written. These uniquefeatures will be appreciated by all, from seasoned Vance collector to new reader sampling the spectrum of this author's influential work forthe first time. - John Vance II

In these early novellas SF Grand Master Jack Vance tells tales of fanaticism, interplanetary politics, intrigue and subterfuge, while displaying his trademark gifts for inventiveness, rich detail and colorful description.Son of the Tree - Joe, a young Earthman, finds himself stranded on Kyril, a planet of five billion peasants, two million Druids-and a great Tree. The Tree, worshipped by the Druids, towers twelve miles from root to ultimate bud, shouldering the clouds, wearing lightning like a tinsel wreath. Joe is swept up in a swirl of change, at the center of which is a potted plant - the Son of the Tree!The Houses of Iszm - masters of botany for 200,000 years, the Iszic have developed strains of living houses, semi-intelligent organic units which need no crude additions such as furniture, plumbing or décor, and can be grown for the price of seed - the solution to the housing needs of a galaxy! The Iszic are protective of their lucrative monopoly, and when botanist Aile Farr of Earth arrives for a visit, he is under immediate suspicion of attempting to steal a female house. So begins a cat-and-mouse game between the graceful, unfailingly courteous Iszic, and a determined man of Earth.Son of the Tree and The Houses of Iszm is Volume 8 of the Spatterlight Press Signature Series.Released in the centenary of the author's birth, this handsome new collectionis based upon the prestigious Vance Integral Edition. Select volumes enjoyup-to-date maps, and many are graced with freshly-written forewords contributedby a distinguished group of authors. Each book bears a facsimile of theauthor's signature and a previously-unpublished photograph, chosen from family archives for the period the book was written. These uniquefeatures will be appreciated by all, from seasoned Vance collector to new reader sampling the spectrum of this author's influential work forthe first time. - John Vance II

Originally published: New York: St. Martin's Press, 1991.

Throy is volume three of the Cadwal Chronicles trilogy.Glawen Clattuc uncovers the conspirators who seek to destroy the unspoiled natural environment of planet Cadwal. Now, it's open war.Grandmaster Jack Vance brings a galaxy-spanning space-opera mystery to an explosive conclusion. - Matt HughesThroy is Book III of the Cadwal trilogy, and Volume 57 of the Spatterlight Press Signature Series.Released in the centenary of the author's birth, this handsome new collectionis based upon the prestigious Vance Integral Edition. Select volumes enjoyup-to-date maps, and many are graced with freshly-written forewords contributedby a distinguished group of authors. Each book bears a facsimile of theauthor's signature and a previously-unpublished photograph, chosen from family archives for the period the book was written. These uniquefeatures will be appreciated by all, from seasoned Vance collector to new reader sampling the spectrum of this author's influential work forthe first time. - John Vance II

Wandering the provinces of Thaery, footloose Jubal Droad of Glentlin is carelessly injured during an encounter with the arrogant Ramus Ymph, scion of a powerful ruling family. Jubal begins a quest for personal justice, from a position of disadvantage.Striking his first blow, Jubal narrowly escapes gruesome retaliation at the hands of Scales and Balance, formidable operatives of the Faithful Retribution Company-assigned to his case by the vindictive Ymph!Applying for employment under Nai the Hever, Jubal negotiates with energy and conviction, but can only win a low-wage position with Department Three of the Sanitation and Hygiene Office. Reconciling gloomily to the prospect of inspecting kitchen drains, Jubal is surprised that his training places such emphasis on martial skills. Department Three is something different than it seems.Tracking Ramus Ymph off-world to quirky, densely-touristed Eiselbar, Jubal connects the pieces of Ymph's astounding ambition. Returning to Maske, he follows Ymph across the Long Ocean to Wellas-where he precipitates events which will preserve Thaery and Wellas from exploitation, and resolve his own conflict, through the peculiar agencies of the tree-worshipping Waels. Along the way, Jubal softens the heart of icily-remote Mieltrude, daughter of Nai the Hever.Maske: Thaery is Volume 51 of the Spatterlight Press Signature Series.Released in the centenary of the author's birth, this handsome new collectionis based upon the prestigious Vance Integral Edition. Select volumes enjoyup-to-date maps, and many are graced with freshly-written forewords contributedby a distinguished group of authors. Each book bears a facsimile of theauthor's signature and a previously-unpublished photograph, chosen from family archives for the period the book was written. These uniquefeatures will be appreciated by all, from seasoned Vance collector to new reader sampling the spectrum of this author's influential work forthe first time. - John Vance II