Emphyrio

I first read this book many years ago, but was too self-absorbed to really understand it. It is a mirror, showing - for those willing or needing to see certain truths - how willingly we allow ourselves to be deceived about our true nature's by those who have much to gain in that deception. And how, far too often, when someone comes along and takes the time...makes the effort...to follow his or her deeper instincts to uncover and speak those uncomfortable truths, we turn on the Truth teller. Until, that is, we finally have to listen, and then everything changes. Emphyrio is not an easy read, but it is well worth the effort. And Vance very successfully creates the strange world that feels oddly like home. Enjoy!

Vance is not only my favorite writer of speculative fiction, he is my favorite writer in, or as my father, an editor, used to say, "practitioner of", the English language. I will freely admit that he on occasion wrote what appear to be potboilers, and not everything he wrote is of superlative quality; "Emphyrio", however, is. Like many of his works, it features a child with a single parent in a society which might seem to a reader too bizarre to exist until that reader considers its environment, its history, and human natures, and suddenly all is made clear: Yes, it is bizarre. It is also reflects precisely human nature. Amiante Tarvoke is a master woodcarver; his young son, Ghyl, will become one as well, or so it is planned. But social, economic, historical, political and personal forces all act to change his destiny. This is a Bildungsroman, possibly Vance's first, certainly not his last. It provides us with the elegant precision of expression of his best fantasies, adventure equal to the best in his science fiction, and conjures forth a peculiarly bittersweet mood throughout. If you have not read Vance's work before, this is as good a place to start as any.

I am huge fan of jack Vance and I have read 90% of his vast litany of work. This slim little book is my favorite of them all - I believe it is the perfect blend of all the things that are so totally Vance (language, irony, humor, exotic locale, unique situations etc) along with the most endearing characters he ever invented and a story with real heart. I recommend this book to any and all readers - if you know Vance you will love it and if you are new to Vance this book will hook you and lead you to the treasures of Jack Vance.

I'm glad I stumbled upon Jack Vance. He's an interesting writer. I was thrown off at first by his almost baroque vocabulary, but after a while you just go with it and it adds to your enjoyment. The setting is different, very different, imaginative and though provoking.

This book is worth reading giving when it was written. The big issue is that the story had a bad lull about 3/4s of the way through. It kept feeling like it should be ending soon. Good story interesting concepts even well written.

One of Jack Vance's finest novels. I read it when it first came out but my paperback was beat-up and had horrible cover art. I leaped at the chance to upgrade it and am most happy with the purchase.

Brilliant . Vance's best book as far as I'm concerned. Do yourself a favour and give it a try, then read Vance's ' To live forever'.

Jack Vance possessed an amazing ability to imagine complex societies. He was also a remarkable prose stylist. He brings both gifts to bear in this deceptively simple tale of a young man who dares to challenge the conventions of his native world, inspired by a mythic hero. In the process, he learns much about parental and romantic love, and about the consequences of insisting upon fairness in a society where order is valued above all else.

Un classico della fantascienza che presenta un mondo lontano sufficientemente strano da attrarre e incuriosire; una storia di maturazione che è anche la vicenda del rapporto tra un padre e un figlio; una riflessione sul rapporto tra i miti e la vita "reale". Ha una pecca: un finale affrettato che sembra animato solo dall'intento di dare a una vicenda piuttosto cupa una chiusa ottimistica e consolante; ma le ultimissime pagine non guastano la storia che precede, che coincide anche con la lenta e faticosa scoperta di un segreto che, una volta rivelato, spiazza completamente il lettore. Nel complesso, un libro da leggere per chi ama la fantascienza quella vera, senza effetti speciali.

I'm a Jack Vance Fan, and have been for forty years. His style is like no one else, and is instantly recognizable. There deep layers of meaning in his works, and one can apply them to present day societies.