Book Description
In Lyonesse II: The Green Pearl and Madouc the magical lands of high enchantment - the Elder Isles, the land, long-vanished beneath the ocean, from which King Arthur's ancestors fled to Britain - come to brilliant life again. In this ancient land the realm of chivalry and the world of faerie exist side by side and it is a place of strange beauty, high adventure and eerie magic. Warring kings renew their conflicts, opposing magicians devise ever more strange and sinister stratagems and Madouc, ostensibly the daughter of the ill-fated Princess Suldrun but in reality a changeling, becomes embroiled in political rivalries, military adventures - and the quest for the Grail.
Customer Reviews:
Jack Vance is incomparable.......2007-06-30
At age 12 I stumbled upon "Big Planet" in the public library (1967). I didn't understand why I liked Jack Vance so much then -- I think it was the exotic mood that his stories evoked. 15 years later, having read most of Vance's (then published) works, I was very excited to read Lyonesse: Suldren's Garden. I was captivated. Then The Green Pearl and later, Madouc. What a fantastic series. I constantly struggle to decide which of Vance's works is my favorite. It's safe to say that Lyonesse is in the top 3, though. By the way, I convinced my daughter at age 13 to read the series, and she has re-read it many times since. It's her favorite fantasy series, as well as mine.
Read the Lyonesse books. And beware, afterward you may struggle in vain to find another author with Vance's writing skill.
Obfuscation? Indeed........2007-01-18
While many readers may find Jack Vance's tramp through some of the more remote territories of the English language to be a challenge, those of us who take a particular delight in the art and development of language will find the journey well worth our time and attention. The characters thrive in the subtext of their conversations, and words that may seem puzzling at first glance can add whole new shades of meaning to a particular passage. With the right word, just so, Vance can expand the situation into heights of irony or satire. Like Gene Wolfe, Vance is a craftsman who takes particular delight in coining words, and giving readers as much to enjoy in the telling as in the tale. In this regard, Lyonesse may be his best. Unfortunately for the more junior reader this may render the books inaccessible; for those willing to give it a go, Lyonesse is very, very rewarding. Not just sci-fi or fantasy; this is literature.
Let there be no doubt---Jack Vance is the Master.......2006-11-04
What gibberish has this other reviewer,Rockyn,left.And to boot,giving away certain plotlines...most unhelpful.Jack Vance is a master storyteller and the Lyonesse series is among the best he has ever written.Fantastic books.What rubbish spews from jabbering apes.The books characters come to life from the pen and mind of a great literary master.Thank you Jack Vance.Incredible series.
Hire an editor, puh-leese!.......2006-10-30
Do your sanity a favor and skip this messy tangle of a tale. Vance imitates Tom Clancy's style by introducing new characters and situations every chapter or so. But he doesn't succeed in making any of the characters particularly interesting, nor does he really excite the reader into eager anticipation of the next page.
The one early story of a young princess has some value. Then, Jack kills her off and semi-replaces her with an imprisioned husband. Bah!
Mr. Vance also seems to be in some sort of wager that he can A)cram entire histories of ancient wars into a few pages and B) do so using an over-abundance of ten dollar words where a nickel will do nicely. Really, does the reading public want to clamber over "obfuscation", "collation", and "squamous" when so many other quite suitable words exist. I felt like I was trudging through a required literature tome and that I should have had a dictionary nearby just to divine Vance's thought process. Thanks, but no thanks.
There is a decent story or two hidden under all the compost. In retribution for the punishment received by the readers, Mr. Vance should have to actually read this torturous rag himself, outline the real tales, and reconstruct the whole thing. Or at least spend money on an editor who has the cajones to kick his tail-end into gear. Good luck with that.
Book Description
After their final battle, legend tells us, Arthur and his knights went to Lyonesse, the land under the sea. Now Lyonesse is threatened by a resurgence of the Dark Powers, those mindless malevolent forces that struggle to stop the course of History.
And Jim Eckert--the Dragon Knight--and his friends are called upon to stop them.
Arthur and his knights are proud, too; too proud to easily accept help from Jim Eckert and his allies. But they will have help--from Jim in his dragon form, from knight-in-armor Sir Brian Neville-Smyth, from the brilliant archer Dafydd ap Hywel, and from one small hobgoblin.
The result is a wild ride: Arthurian fantasy adventure as only Gordon R. Dickson could tell it.
Customer Reviews:
Have you ever wondered..........2001-09-23
Dickson has developed a series of books that allows the reader of today to say what if...? This unique viewpoint allows for the writer to put a 21st century spin on a classic fantasy novel. Characters are real in a fatastic world. This particular book puts Jim the Dragon Knight in the world of King Arthur.
An enjoyable read.
My new favorite of the series.......2000-09-22
This is a new adventure that differs greatly from the rest in the series. Even if you have disliked the rest of the series you will surely enjoy this one. The dragon knight returns to Lyonesse but has a completely different battle at hand. What makes this book so exciting is the involvement of the real knights of old like Pellinor, Galahad, and more. This excellent book involves Jim, Daffyd, Brian, and Hob of the main characters but even better is the involment from the Arthurian knights. The story goes that Jim has once again become involved in a battle with the dark powers. The difference is that the dark powers have also recruted some of those from the Arthurian legend. This book is sure to please any who has read this far into the series and even those who just want to read this single book. Dickson has written a standout book in his famous series and this is deffinatly it.
What fun! Things are starting to move!.......1999-10-30
A lot of people seem to have some problem with this book, but frankly, I thought it was a change of pace. Jim is still utterly himself, but he's starting to get comfortable with who and what he is. He came in contact with the greatest knights of all time, and held his own by doing things on his own terms. What I'm looking forward to is how he handles the greatest challenge of all - fatherhood. I can't wait to see how Dickson has his dragon knight cope with being "Daddy" to his adopted mideveil son. I'm sure both author and character will rise to the occaision.
geting boring.................1999-10-15
I mean, dont get me wrong, I liked the book but you eventually have to get tired of the same thing with the "dark powers" and Jim(main character) finding a way out of the situation, I just hope in the next book that something big will happen like new characters or old characters dieing, I hope Gordon R. Dickson sees this....
The series might drag-on..........1999-10-06
Each book in the Dragon Knight series is pretty decent by itself, and I've enjoyed every single one of them, but in my opinion, the series needs some rejuvenation...
Time after time, has the Baron James been discovering through someone that the Dark Powers once again 'interfere' amok, and time after time has James been finding some miraculous solution. I have no problems with this as a basis for each book, it's just that it has been written the same way each time, perhaps with a few new characters and some backdrops. The highlights of the series, aside from the first book, have been where Jim has been doing something unusual with magick, fighting a battle, or existing as a dragon.
In my opinion, an expansion of these highlights in the next book would be welcome. Perhaps about the formation of a treaty between England and the local dragons...humans with other opinions building one force, and even dragons who do not wish to be involved with 'georges' forming their own group. This would call for James to switch in and out of dragon form alot, and for, perhaps, an emergence of the mere dragons, lead by Secoh!
Oh, well...we'll see what comes up.
Awaiting the next book,
Hypogryph
Customer Reviews:
The start of something great!.......2005-12-28
I came at the Lyonesse Trilogy backwards, finding a copy of the third book of the series (Madouc)in an airport bookstore when I was in need of a good read for a flight. I definitely hit paydirt! It took me several more years to track down The Green Pearl and Sudrun's Garden (both of which were out of print at the time) but each time, the reward was the same.
As with the best of Jack Vance's other work, the universe of the "Elder Isles" comes alive through a wealth of details. But pay close attention - Vance's lively mind is sure to provide surprise after surprise and you need to be ready. Truly a master story teller!
One thing that distinguish this series from many of Vance's other fine series, is the interweaving of multiple perspectives (Suldrun, Aillas, Dhrun, Shimrod and Madouc), each with their own set of facinating tales each of which play a role in the larger geopolitical transformation of the Elder Isles. Usually, Vance focuses on one, or possibly two major characters, but here he manages five without missing a beat.
Some other reviewers disparaged the use of traditional fantasy themes (e.g., kings, sorcerers, princes and princesses), but I think they missed the point. The larger scale only provides the skeleton for the tale. It is the details of the meticulously described and logically assembled, but frequently surprising, world that breath life into the tale. My only complaint - I wanted more! Jack Vance at his worst is well worth reading, but this is among his best!
Stunning. Spellbinging. Excellent........2004-12-11
A friend gave me this book 20 years ago, in 1984. And I never read it. It moved with me from house to house along with a big pile of other unread books. Every once in a while I would give it a glance; but the back-cover copy was not all that interesting, and the map in the front looks crudely hand-drawn, and the first couple paragraphs seeed kind of dry -- whatever, I made no progress, tossed it back on a shelf. I had other stuff to read.
This year I started to play attention to fantasy again, what with the release of Donaldson's new Covenant series and my cousin recommending the Phillip Pulman trilogy to me. Over the Summer I pulled this book from the basement and added it to the to-read stack. Last week I read an old essay from Samuel R Delany saying how wonderful Vance is: ok, I'll give this book another try.
After a couple days to get into it, the book just consumed me, and I burned thru the last 375+ pages in one sitting, staying up all night (til 7am! and I work in the mornings!) to finish it.
Wow. What a book!
Vance takes his time setting everything up just so; but when the match touches the the tinder this book just starts roaring. An amazingly detailed and dramatic plot with dizzying twists and turns. Some of the most richly detailed characters I've ever encountered; believeable yet surprising. Written with a very sure, controlled (even dry) prose. This is definitely a work for grown-ups: very mature, hard-edged at times. Yet light and funny at other times; and warm. This author really knows what he's doing. Rewarding.
Why wouldn't I even give this book a decent chance before? Well -- maybe I was too young before. The presentation of the 1984 paperback didn't give any indication to a teenage boy that he might like the book. The cover illustration is of the Princess Suldrun; the back cover copy says something about the princess being locked up in her garden, until one day a prince washes up on shore -- I guess I thought it sounded like a romance novel. Instead it runed out to be one of the most compulsive page-turning high adventure novels I've ever read.
Note again that this is not a book for kids. Vance's Lyonesse is a tough, dangerous world: ogres raping women, killing & eating children, fathers imprisoning daughters for disobedience, prisoners of war enslaved, and so forth. Very tough-minded. Parents looking for Johnny's next fantasy series after Harry Potter should look elsewhere. Johnny needs a different book; the parents should read this themselves.
Is this a parody on fantasy?.......2004-03-29
With growing surprise I read the reviews written on this book so far, I can't believe everyone is that fond of this book! I think that no, it's not a bad book, but also most certainly not the best I've ever read. Especially in the beginning I was very disappointed, because I heard so much great stories about it - and if even Frank Herbert, the writer of Dune, says it's a wonderful book, then it really has to be true! But I have some serious points of criticism on the book:
1. Especially in the beginning of the book the story is very cliché. This beautiful princess refuses to marry the man her father wants her to marry, and then meets this poor guy who turns out to be a prince... Can you believe it?!
2. It is very obvious the book is written by a man. Whenever he speaks about women it is like he looks down on them, which annoyed me to no end.
3. The cruelties in this book are written without the slightest hint of emotion. Who cares a girl gets raped? It's only a girl!
4. A nine-year old boy doing all kinds of heroic deeds? Sure...
I even thought for a moment that this had to be a parody on fantasy books, for many events are so completely unbelievable that I thought this couldn't have been written as a serious book. But, despite my not too positive opinion of the book, I decided to read on, and I gradually began to like the book more. Once I got used to his remarkable writing style, I realized the book really does have its good sides. Though some characters are quite unrealistic, other characters are very good. My favourite is Carfilhiot, the ruler of the fortress Tintzyn Firal, a smart but arrogant man. What I also loved is the politics in the book, which are quite complicated with all those wizards involved. And the details Jack Vance gives about the different characters, places and habits of different peoples are wonderful, they really make the story come alive. And... Well the story just gets to you! Because somehow, I made it to the end and I got carried away so much that I immediately after I finished this book began reading book two, the Green Pearl...
I still don't think this is one of the best books I've ever read, but I do think it is worth reading. So my advice is: if you like fantasy and can live with the points of criticism I have, give this book a try.
go do as I tell you and get this book.......2004-02-05
The fact that this book is not constantly in print and available everywhere is, in a world where Dungeons and Dragons style series fantasies and deriviative, pseudo-literary fantasy garbage, like the works of Neil Gaiman and Gene Wolfe, are all over the bestseller lists, is an unutterable obscenity that defies human comprehension. Vance is the greatest prose stylist in the history of genre fiction, heck, maybe in the history of fiction. Lyonesse is funny, sad, arch, inventive, adventurous, philosophical, page-turning, perfect. The characters are more real than any of the people you know, and you will love and hate them more than your own friends and enemies. The Elder Isles are more real than New York or London and much more interesting. You should get every book in this series (there are three) immediately, no matter what the financial or personal costs, and immediately make them the centerpiece of your life until you have read them all. Then, you should read Vance's Tales of The Dying Earth, which is just as good. Then, you should re-read the Lyonesse books. There, that's it. Now, go do as I tell you and thank me later.
enchanted.......2003-05-04
This book leaves me with amazement at Jack Vance's range of imagination and precision. I am familiar with Vance's early science fiction novels that employ a pleasantly deliberate execution. This work retains that style and yet endeavors and succeeds in contriving an elaborate, far-stretching story of an epic level. His characters are entirely believable and emotionally charged. He draws the plot together in a natural and yet surprising manner, and his depiction of the magical arts and creatures is like a fairy tale of adult proportions. I have read a lot of fantasy novels and this one I have found incredibly refreshing in its originality and delivery. Enjoy! I look forward to reading the remainder of this trilogy.
Book Description
The Elder Isles, located in what is now the Bay of Biscay off the the coast of Old Gaul, are made up of ten contending kingdoms, all vying with each other for control. At the centre of much of the intrigue is Casmir, the ruthless and ambitious king of Lyonnesse. His beautiful but otherworldly daughter, Suldrun, is part of his plans. He intends to cement an alliance or two by marrying her well. But Suldrun is as determined as he and defies him. Casmir coldly confines her to the overgrown garden that she loves to frequent, and it is here that meets her love and her tragedy unfolds. Political intrigue, magic, war, adventure and romance are interwoven in a rich and sweeping tale set in a brilliantly realized fabled land.
Customer Reviews:
Vance's masterpiece trilogy of fantasy.......2007-07-10
Curious, there are 3 possible Lyonesse/Suldrun's Garden books to review, with different reviews on each one. Perhaps Amazon might consider addressing this.
This is without a doubt Jack Vance's most serious, mature work. He creates a fantasy setting of islands between Ireland and France set in the dark ages (post-roman), and offers a wandering, detailed and vivid story.
Some spoilers are in this review. Strongly consider whether to continue reading, as major plot threads may be discussed or deflated.
Initially the story mainly concerns itself with Suldrun, but before too long, she is gone and we gain other main protagonists, Shimrod, Dhrun and Aillas. Aillas' effort to find his son greatly resemble some of his other rambling adventure stories, with the protagonist moving from one setting to another. The journey of Dhrun and Gwyneth is similar, with Shimrod eventually joining them.
Antagonists are competent and developed as well, with Casimir being entirely too competent and ruthless for comfort, while Faude Carhiliot (sp) comes across more as a brilliant opportunist rather than a competent strategist.
I would need to check dates but it is possible this is the first time Vance developed complex and rational female characters in his story, particularly Suldrun. I have read this criticism of his work and in some cases it does appear justified (whether relevant or not is another matter), but I see no such issue in this series.
A major difference in Lyonesse compared to Vance's other works is that Vance's trademark humor, often deadpan or delivered in flatline the most outrageous or self-evident comments, is present but very subdued, and never does one feel oneself to be in a more normal vance story, where such humor can be a central feature. Lyonesse feels much more serious, and there is some doubt as to how things might work out for the major characters, particularly given that he kills his initial protagonist off so easily.
A fabulous story; I could nitpick but it is hard to find fault here.
Edit (9/26/07) Having recently reread the rest of this trilogy, I would say that this series is Vance's best. This is compared to Tschai, the Demon Princes, the Cadwal Chronicles, the Anome trilogy, and Ports of Call/Lurulu, plus whatever else I have forgotten. A major storyline is developed incrementally, numerous characters develop and many are discarded/killed in the course of the story, and a viable, and fairly complete, ending is provided.
Forgotten early 80s epic fantasy by a SF grandmaster; dated yet still surprisingly modern........2007-01-30
Jack Vance was a thirty-year veteran of science fiction, a Nebula and multiple Hugo Award winner, when _Lyonesse: Suldrun's Garden_ was published in 1983. His assured authorial hand sets this novel apart from the huge majority of fantasy sagas, which are written by debut writers. Combined with vivid detail, including a seemingly endless variety of medieval foods, Vance's prose paints entrancing images of a fantasy world based on the lost continent of Lyonesse from the old Arthurian legends.
His shifting omniscient point-of-view may feel jarring to modern readers. Although this technique of "head-hopping" through multiple characters' thoughts in the same scene has largely been superceded in modern fiction, it was the default in Vance's era. It can leave the reader feeling distant from the characters, especially when the narrative gives large overviews of family or national history. Yet Vance's prose still places the reader as deeply inside the characters' emotions as any modern limited point-of-view, through the skill of his vivid and lyrical prose.
The organization of the book also shows the narrative fashion of a bygone era. Modern novels seize the reader by shoving many characters on-stage and immediately placing them in peril. In contrast, _Lyonesse: Suldrun's Garden_ starts with the birth of the title character and spends chapters summarizing her youth. The main character doesn't show up for almost a hundred pages, and several chapters in the middle of the book follow tangential plots. Yet all the plot threads coalesce in the end, along with the seeds of conflict for the rest of the trilogy.
Despite these antiquated narrative quirks, _Lyonesse: Suldrun's Garden_ still feels strikingly modern in several respects. The first is Vance's array of character conflicts based on the viciousness of realistic humans. There is no evil overlord, as became cliché soon afterwards from overuse by less talented writers. Yet Vance's human characters will do far more chilling things to each other than any overlord could. The second is the uncompromising strife that his characters face. The protagonists in _Lyonesse: Suldrun's Garden_ are constantly beset by torments from both enemies and friends. No good deed goes unpunished, and quests wander hopelessly. This is the same no-holds-barred style that many modern epic fantasists have adopted, for the astute reason that a brave character in peril compels readers to keep reading. This gritty or brutal modern style of epic fantasy originated with Jack Vance.
_Lyonesse: Suldrun's Garden_ stands like no other work of early 80s epic fantasy--brilliantly rendered, harshly realistic, and dated yet still anachronistically modern.
A diamond in the rough.......2006-07-10
Jack Vance is a true master - of storytelling as well as the fantasy genre. Lyonesse - Book 1 was a brilliant, poetic, engaging, never a dull moment masterpiece. I would highly recommend this book to all fantasy fans.
Great Novel - Bad Edition.......2006-04-20
Others have already described the book, I would only like to add that this particular edition is badly corrupt: sentences, or even whole paragraphs have been changed or removed to the detriment of the work, the order of two chapters has been changed at one spot (to similar effect), and so on, and so forth (more detail can be found from the VIE newsletter, Cosmopolis, available for download at the Vance Integral Edition web site).
Fortunately, there is now available a corrected edition, published by Edition Andreas Irle.
Vance Rules.......2004-01-27
I will keep this review brief - as the other reviewers have stated the Lyonesse Trilogy is a fabulous and unique set of books. The Lyonesse trilogy is engrossing (read all three books practically continuously for 2 days) and hilarious (laugh out loud and you will go back and reread sentences/scenes).
I have not encountered another author with Vance's style (and trust me I have tried .. taking Amazon's recs based on people who like Vance has been a big waste of money and time) -which is why his books are real treasures. Its good that they are starting to reissue much of his work and you can track down a lot of his books through resellers .. trust me 90% of Vance's books are worthy of having a permanent place on your bookcase.
Average customer rating:
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Lyonesse II (2) : The Green Pearl
Jack Vance
Manufacturer: Grafton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Fantasy
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
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| Epic
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| Historical
| History & Criticism
| Magic & Wizards
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Science Fiction
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ASIN: 0586067515 |
Customer Reviews:
it breaks my heart.......2004-02-23
How can this book possibly be out of print? What madness has overtaken the human race, that junk like Gene Wolfe or Dragonlance rules the bestseller list, while this, a supreme accomplishment in the history of the American fantasy genre, languishes in relative obscurity? Jack Vance is so irresistable, so indescribable, that I won't bother to try to summarize Lyonesse; that's for fourth-grade book reports. Suffice it to say that it will haunt your dreams the way any of the other greats of the genre do, only Vance writes much better (and funnier) prose. For the love of all that is holy, get this book, and somehow or another get it back in print with a major publisher.
A Charming Changeling.......2000-12-01
Madouc, the third book in Vance's Lyonesse Trilogy, is probably the best. The first two books, Suldrun's Garden and The Green Pearl, are wonderful, but the title character, Madouc, and her search for her pedigree, are among the most charming characters and quests in fantasy. She steals the show.
Casimir, the relentlessly scheming king of Lyonesse, has learned the child he thought was his grandaughter, Madouc, is in fact a fairy changeling. That is somehow wrapped up in the mystery of Dhrun, son of King Ailias of Troicenet, of whom it was prophecied by a magic mirror that he would be the king of all the Elder Isles. Not if Casimir can help it. He wants that throne for himself.
And there are much larger, darker schemes afoot, as the evil magician Tamurello and the mysterious witch Desmei plot against Murgen, the Elder Isle's greatest wizard, who alone keeps the Elder Isles from sinking into the sea.
And into this web of political and magical intrigue wanders Madouc, determined to learn her pedigree, possessed of a bit of her fairy mother's magic and a truly wonderful charm all her own. It is Madouc who sets this novel apart from other fantasies. Vance does a splendid job creating a central figure who will beguile and amaze you.
Vance blends myths from half a dozen cultures into a seamless whole. The Elder Isles are saved, if at a terrible cost. The kingship is resolved, after a terrible war. And Madouc even learns her pedigree. The book is full of surprises, and sly references to other legends. As just one example, you will learn how the Holy Grail got to where Sir Gallahad could find it...
You should read the whole Trilogy. If for some reason you cannot, read Madouc. It's a wonderful conclusion to a wonderful trilogy.
this book is supreme........1999-08-16
Fantasy-lovers, take heed! Madouc is third in one of the greatest fantasy trilogies ever written. You will fall in love with the fairy changeling/royal princess whose search for her heritage takes you on a merry chase. Read all three of the Lyonesse books by Jack Vance-you won't regret it. A note: Madouc won the award for Grand Fantasy in the year 1990.
Customer Reviews:
Lost and Found.......2007-05-09
Nearly 10 years ago, as a freshman in college, I found this book at a flea market. Intrigued by the cover, I purchased the book. What I found inside was so amazing it has literally kept me wanting since then. You see, I lent it to a friend, and as book loans go, it went. I have not read it since that first time, but have thought of it with fondness, often.
To my delight, I find that this book was but the first of three. I tell you now, I've purchased all three tonight and I can't wait to read this one again and then find out how it ends!
Neil Gaiman's Stardust strongly reminds me of this, not for anything specific in the plot, but how lovely and well-written and internally strong the story is.
Fantasy that isn't dumbed down.......2007-01-20
Jack Vance is amazing. This trilogy is what most fantasy readers are really looking for and almost never find: A novel which gives you the escape you want, the mystery and romance of a magical world, but still has sufficient internal consistency to allow you to remain immmersed in the story. Witty, grown up dialogue and even an occasional thought provoking insight into the human condition in a beautifully crafted world rife with evocative imagery. This is a read you can enjoy on a lot of different levels, and will continue to enjoy every time you re-read it. I liked this when I was a teenager and I like it now that I'm a 38 year old adult.
Average customer rating:
- Six Stars For The Trilogy
- sublime wit
- Among the best fantasy books ever written.
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Lyonesse
Jack Vance
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Vance, Jack
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General
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ASIN: 0425068323 |
Download Description
A monument of fantastic literature to stand beside such classics as DUNE and THE LORD OF THE RINGS, LYONESSE evokes the Elder Isles, a baroque land of pre-Arthurian myth now lost beneath the Atlantic, where powerful sorcerers, aloof faeries, stalwart champions, and nobles eccentric, magnanimous, and cruel pursue intrigue among their separate worlds. In this first book of the trilogy, LYONESSE: SULDRUN'S GARDEN, Prince Aillas of Troicinet is betrayed on his first diplomatic voyage and cast into the sea. Before he redeems his birthright, he must pass the breadth of Hybras Isle as prisoner, vagabond, and slave, an acquaintance of faeries, wizards, and errant knights, and lover to a sad and beautiful girl whose fate sets his bitter rivalry with the tyrant Casmir, King of Lyonesse.
Customer Reviews:
Six Stars For The Trilogy.......2005-04-14
The first Vance books I ever read. I remember picking up a paperback copy when I was maybe 15 years old. It started just a tad slow and then took off so fast I consumed the entire book the next day. So I ran to buy the second and third. I got the second but the third was out of print. I searched high and low until a library book sale finally brought me my prize! I have since re-read them and still feel the same way as I did all those years ago. The fact that it remains out of print (the old fashioned paper way) boggles the mind. It really is up there with Lord of the Rings and should share that same spotlight. With a multitude of characters ranging wildly in disposition and morals it keeps you involved. Surging plot lines that are imaginative as well as surprising. If you sould have the good fortune of running across these books in a used book store or library sale you shouldn't hesitate to buy them, they will not disappoint. I hope this was helpful.
sublime wit.......2002-11-04
I first read Lyonesse as an adolescent and I loved it. As an adult I enjoyed it even more. Vance's wit and command of the language is magnificent. His attention to detail is illuminating without being stifling or bewildering. The characters are believable and, most important to me, likable. I recommend it to anyone.
Among the best fantasy books ever written........2002-09-15
Jack Vance is somewhat of an overlooked gem in the worlds of SF and fantasy. Although his critical reputation is great (and well-deserved), his books always seem to struggle to stay in print, especially his fantasy. Lyonesse is a case in point. It's the first book in a "high fantasy" trilogy about adventures in Atlantis before its descent beneath the waves. It is extraordinarily original and well-written. Plus, if you are someone who reads a great deal of fantasy, there is another bonus - this is one of the few fantasy works of the last half-century which owes no discernable debt to Tolkien - Vance's style and subject matter are entirely his own, and will seem much more fresh than the latest "Middle-Earth" clones from various bestselling authors.
Average customer rating:
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Lyonesse Abbey
Manufacturer: Fawcett Publications, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000HUK35A |
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- Stalinism as a Way of Life: A Narrative in Documents
- Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy With God in the Busyness of Life
- Transgressions: The Offences of Art
- Ain't Misbehavin: The 10 Discipline Issues Every Parent Faces and How to Resolve Them
- Dragons of the Dwarven Depths
- Dynamic Programming and Optimal Control
- Catesby's Birds of Colonial America
- All That Glitters: The Crime and the Cover-up
- A Degree of Mastery: A Journey through Book Arts Apprenticeship
- A Freethinker's A-Z of the New World Business
Lyonesse (Fantasy Masterworks)
Planet of Adventure
Alastor
The Demon Princes, Vol. 2: The Face * The Book of Dreams (Demon Princes)
Tales of the Dying Earth
