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Jack Vance SF Gateway Omnibus: Big Planet / The Blue World / The Dragon Masters and Other Stories
From the SF Gateway, the most comprehensive digital library of classic science fiction and fantasy titles ever assembled, comes an ideal sample introduction to the fantastic work of Jack Vance, one of the field's most beloved authors.
Highly acclaimed, Jack Vance has won and been nominated for the HUGO, NEBULA and WORLD FANTASY AWARDs among many others, and in 1997 was named a Science Fiction Writers of America Grand Master. This omnibus contains the novels BIG PLANET, which revolutionised the planetary romance, THE BLUE WORLD, and the collection, THE DRAGON MASTERS AND OTHER STORIES, the title story of which won the HUGO AWARD FOR SHORT FICTION.
Highly acclaimed, Jack Vance has won and been nominated for the HUGO, NEBULA and WORLD FANTASY AWARDs among many others, and in 1997 was named a Science Fiction Writers of America Grand Master. This omnibus contains the novels BIG PLANET, which revolutionised the planetary romance, THE BLUE WORLD, and the collection, THE DRAGON MASTERS AND OTHER STORIES, the title story of which won the HUGO AWARD FOR SHORT FICTION.
- GenresFantasyScience Fiction
459 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2013
About the author
Jack Vance
793 books1,624 followersAka John Holbrook Vance, Peter Held, Ellery Queen, Alan Wade.
John Holbrook Vance was an American writer widely celebrated for his imaginative contributions to science fiction, fantasy, and mystery literature. Over a career that spanned more than six decades, he became known for richly detailed worlds, inventive language, and stories that combined adventure with sharp social observation. His work influenced generations of speculative fiction writers and helped expand the literary possibilities of the genre. Vance wrote more than sixty books and numerous short stories, many first appearing in science fiction magazines before later being expanded into novels and collections. His fiction was widely translated and developed an international readership.
Vance grew up in California and spent part of his youth on a ranch near the Sacramento River delta, where he developed a love of the outdoors and an appetite for reading. The family experienced financial hardship during the Great Depression, prompting him to take a variety of jobs before completing his studies at the University of California, Berkeley. During these years he worked in several trades and cultivated interests in music, travel, and sailing, experiences that later informed many of the settings and themes in his fiction. Before becoming a full-time writer he held numerous occupations, including shipyard worker, merchant seaman, carpenter, and surveyor.
His earliest published story appeared in the mid 1940s in a science fiction magazine, marking the beginning of a long writing career. Throughout the following decades he produced stories across multiple genres, though he became best known for science fiction and fantasy cycles that combined imaginative settings with elaborate cultures and social systems. Among his most famous works are The Dragon Masters and The Last Castle, both of which received Hugo Awards. The Last Castle also earned the Nebula Award, confirming Vance's reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in speculative fiction. His fantasy trilogy Lyonesse later received the World Fantasy Award, while his memoir This Is Me, Jack Vance! earned another Hugo decades later.
In addition to speculative fiction, Vance wrote several mystery novels, some under pseudonyms including Ellery Queen. These works often blended crime elements with psychological or social themes and sometimes anticipated ideas that later appeared in his science fiction. His storytelling frequently emphasized cultural conflict, moral ambiguity, and intricate social customs rather than large-scale warfare, setting him apart from many contemporaries in the genre.
Vance maintained close friendships with other science fiction writers and participated in literary communities that shaped postwar American speculative fiction. He traveled widely with his family and spent extended periods abroad, experiences that influenced the exotic settings and cosmopolitan tone found in many of his books. Music also played a role in his life and writing, reflecting his long-standing enthusiasm for traditional jazz.
Despite gradually losing his eyesight later in life, Vance continued writing with the aid of specialized software and completed both fiction and autobiography in his later years. Over time his reputation grew steadily, and he received numerous honors, including the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement and recognition as a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Critics and fellow writers often praised his distinctive style, wit, and imagination, and his stories remain widely read within the science fiction and fantasy community.
John Holbrook Vance was an American writer widely celebrated for his imaginative contributions to science fiction, fantasy, and mystery literature. Over a career that spanned more than six decades, he became known for richly detailed worlds, inventive language, and stories that combined adventure with sharp social observation. His work influenced generations of speculative fiction writers and helped expand the literary possibilities of the genre. Vance wrote more than sixty books and numerous short stories, many first appearing in science fiction magazines before later being expanded into novels and collections. His fiction was widely translated and developed an international readership.
Vance grew up in California and spent part of his youth on a ranch near the Sacramento River delta, where he developed a love of the outdoors and an appetite for reading. The family experienced financial hardship during the Great Depression, prompting him to take a variety of jobs before completing his studies at the University of California, Berkeley. During these years he worked in several trades and cultivated interests in music, travel, and sailing, experiences that later informed many of the settings and themes in his fiction. Before becoming a full-time writer he held numerous occupations, including shipyard worker, merchant seaman, carpenter, and surveyor.
His earliest published story appeared in the mid 1940s in a science fiction magazine, marking the beginning of a long writing career. Throughout the following decades he produced stories across multiple genres, though he became best known for science fiction and fantasy cycles that combined imaginative settings with elaborate cultures and social systems. Among his most famous works are The Dragon Masters and The Last Castle, both of which received Hugo Awards. The Last Castle also earned the Nebula Award, confirming Vance's reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in speculative fiction. His fantasy trilogy Lyonesse later received the World Fantasy Award, while his memoir This Is Me, Jack Vance! earned another Hugo decades later.
In addition to speculative fiction, Vance wrote several mystery novels, some under pseudonyms including Ellery Queen. These works often blended crime elements with psychological or social themes and sometimes anticipated ideas that later appeared in his science fiction. His storytelling frequently emphasized cultural conflict, moral ambiguity, and intricate social customs rather than large-scale warfare, setting him apart from many contemporaries in the genre.
Vance maintained close friendships with other science fiction writers and participated in literary communities that shaped postwar American speculative fiction. He traveled widely with his family and spent extended periods abroad, experiences that influenced the exotic settings and cosmopolitan tone found in many of his books. Music also played a role in his life and writing, reflecting his long-standing enthusiasm for traditional jazz.
Despite gradually losing his eyesight later in life, Vance continued writing with the aid of specialized software and completed both fiction and autobiography in his later years. Over time his reputation grew steadily, and he received numerous honors, including the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement and recognition as a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Critics and fellow writers often praised his distinctive style, wit, and imagination, and his stories remain widely read within the science fiction and fantasy community.
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October 29, 2017
Jack Vance SF Gateway Omnibus
This Vance omnibus collection includes the two Vance novels Big Planet and The Blue World plus three of his novellas, The Dragon Masters, The Last Castle and The Miracle Worker. It is a very good collection that is highly recommended. I rated it a 4. A brief review of the contents is below:
Big Planet-Jack Vance
Big Planet is a very early, planetary adventure, science fiction novel by Jack Vance that will probably appeal more to Vance fans than the general reader. It was first published in the pulp magazine Startling Stories in September of 1952. It was cut and reissued as a novel by Avalon Books in 1957.
Big Planet is much larger than Earth and has been colonized by people and groups that left Earth, often to avoid persecution or prosecution. These diverse people, including many misfits and cultists, are not ruled by the government on Earth and are not at all united. All laws are highly localized and various groups, towns and tribes often are often in conflict or even at war with each other. There is no planetary government or leadership. There is also no metal on the planet so it has no industrial development, electricity or advanced technology. The standard of exchange are pieces of metal from off planet. Persons who have the most metal are the richest.
One local tyrant named Charley Lysidder has been attacking other towns with his army to attempt to be the planetary leader. He hopes to unite and rule the planet. He is also involved with the slave trade and with importing technologically advanced weapons that are forbidden on the planet. Authorities on Earth have sent representatives to negotiate with him but they rarely returned. This time they decide to send Claude Glystra and his crew by spaceship. But the ship is sabotaged and crashes on the planet 40,000 miles from its destination, the Earth Enclave where it would be safe. The crew abandon the craft and begin the long journey to the Earth Enclave but are pursued by dangerous wild creatures, tribes of cannibals, Charley Lysidder's army and many others. Each group they meet and village or town they encounter has a different culture with varying rules, laws and acceptable behaviors. These diverse tribes and cities are only minimally developed by Vance, but it is still somewhat interesting to read.
But basically this very early novel by Vance is not one of his best. The plot is minimal and, except for the main character, Claude Glystra, there is almost no character development. You will find little of Vance's brilliant, often witty dialog that invigorate most of his later novels. Although there is some description of interesting or unusual tribes and towns, it is simplistic and minimally developed. It is not the complex, detailed, extremely well thought out "world building" that Vance offers us in many of his later works. The love affair between Claude Glystra and "Nancy" is also flat and unconvincing.
Despite these flaws, there is plenty of action and things move very quickly. It hints at the superb novels Vance would eventually write. For those who can be less critical and go with the flow, Big Planet can be interesting, even fun to read. But it is clearly not top notch Vance and will appeal mostly to Vance devotees who are interested in seeing how Vance developed as a great writer. I understand Big Planet also has historical importance in the development of early science fiction. Apparently because of the description of a new world ("world building") and its presentation of a "planetary romance" it was considered somewhat groundbreaking for a 1952 pulp science fiction work. I've read it twice in recent years and rate it a 4.
The Blue World
The Blue World, first published in 1966 and is one of his better ones even though it might not be quite as deep and complex as some of his truly great novels. The Blue World should appeal to many general readers and not simply to Vance fans. It seems to be a very popular Vance novel, and there are plenty of detailed reviews already written so I will keep discussion of the plot itself relatively brief.
Vance is often at his very best when he creates new worlds, sometimes futuristic ones, often on other planets. They might involve a traveler who visits various planets or different cultures on the same planet. Sometimes, as in the case of The Blue World, it involves people who came from a technologically advanced society who are now marooned, abandoned or simply out of contact with previous knowledge. Usually these tales are infused with wit, irony, social psychological insights and many cultural anthropological issues. Frequently they involve philosophy, religions, manners, customs and various unusual or even bizarre cognitions, behaviors and environments. Sometimes our laws of physics are changed or telepathic or other unusual forces are introduced. Vance invariably constructs these worlds with a masterly use of language and amazing imagination and creativity. In The Blue World we have one such fascinating world.
In this stand alone novel Vance introduces a water world society of people whose ancestors, from a highly scientifically advanced society, crash landed on the planet twelve generations ago. There is no land in this water world, only small island like pads of plants where simple homes are built. Each pad uses a communication tower to send signals to other pads. For 150 years the residents have provided food for and even worshipped an intelligent, giant sea monster like creature called a kragen, naming this one "King Kragen." There are different castes of people who have various jobs and status. These include "Hooligans," "Bezlers," "Hoodwinks," "Advertisermen," and "Intercessors." The "Intercessors" are a priestly caste who coordinate the worship, feeding and activities surrounding King Kragen. They communicate with the creature through underwater sound waves and other secret means which might include telepathy. This kragen is now huge and protects the people from smaller kragens who try to steal their food source, mainly cultivated sponges surrounded by netting. In addition to eating much of their food supply, King Kragen also will not allow people to make sea voyages and will attack the person or property of those who speak ill of him or otherwise anger him. Most of the citizens are content with things as they are, although there is resentment that the Intercessors do not do much work, live in comparative luxury and consider themselves superior.
Mril Rohan is a very independent, resourceful and irreligious citizen who objects to the tyranny of King Kragen and decides to act on his on behalf when King Kragen fails to protect his sponge garden from an invading smaller kragen. His attempts at protecting his property bring him into direct conflict with tradition, the Intercessors who see their authority challenged and with King Kragen himself. Thus begins a very enjoyable, easy to read novel that should have widespread appeal. It might not be one of Vance's really great novels, but it is certainly well worth reading. My rating 4
The Dragon Masters
Dragon Masters is a 116 page novella that was first published in the Galaxy Magazine in 1962. It won a Hugo Award in 1963 for best Short Fiction. This is a very well known Vance work and should have rather widespread appeal to science fiction readers. It is a entertaining and enjoyable novel that involves much combat and action, most of it using interesting creatures referred to as dragons. I've read it twice now and liked it even better the second time. Rating 4.
The story takes place on the planet Aerlith, a rocky planet with a few fertile valleys. One colony of humans, lead by Joaz Banbeck, lives in Banthen Valley and another, led by Ervis Carcolo, resides in Happy Valley. Another group of humans called the Sacerdotes live in underground tunnels and consider themselves to be a different species, referring to other humans as "Utter Men." They are mysterious ascetics who have long hair, never wear clothes and have golden torcs around their necks. Sacerdotes are devoted to truth and knowledge and cannot tell lies but often answer questions in a vague indirect way. Avoiding the affairs of the Utter Men, Sacerdotes consider themselves superior, and wait for the time when Utter Men all disappear so they can take over. Sacerdotes are also very secretive and are suspected of having some hidden advance technologies, possibly even advance weapons or spaceships.
Many years ago aliens called "graphs" or "basics" invaded Aerlith and kidnapped many humans. The graphs continue to sometimes return to Aerlith to bomb the towns (mostly huts) and to abduct humans whom they enslave and genetically modify to make warriors. Years ago some of the graphs were captured by the humans and served as the breeding stock to create fighting dragons. So the humans have dragon like fighters who are descendents of the graphs and the graphs have warriors who are bred from genetically modified humans.
The leader of Banthen Valley, Banbeck, meets with the leader of Happy Valley, Carcolo, to ask his assistance in preparing to defend the planet from another graph attack. He suggests that they align forces and that Carcolo follow his lead by making underground tunnels and caves so their citizens can retreat to them when the graphs return. Carcolo refuses to cooperate or assist, however, and is more interested in attacking the Sacerdotes or other humans and in expanding his territory. Banbeck also tries to enlist the aid of the Sacerdotes in defending against the graphs but they refuse to be involved in mutual defense or in any of the affairs of the Utter Men.
The different types of dragons developed in the breeding programs are explained and include Termagants, Murderers, Fiends, Blue Horrors, Juggers and Spiders. Each type has its uses in battle. Some have horns or pincers they use to fight with while others are trained to use pistols, swords or mace. Dragons come in a variety of sizes from human size to gigantic. This is also true of the soldiers the graphs use that are genetically modified humans. There is much strategy, action and drama as the different forces encounter one another in various battles and maneuvers. It is easy, engaging reading and should appeal to all Vance fans.
Last Castle, The
"The Last Castle" was first published in Galaxy Magazine in 1966. It won the Hugo Award for Best Novelette in 1967 and the Nebula Award for Best Novella in 1966. It was also nominated for a Nebula Award for Best Novel. Technically it is a novella. The setting is in the far future where an elite clans of humans on Earth live in castles as a special class of ruling aristocrats. Under them are the peasants and slaves. Most of the work, even the most technical, is performed by enslaved aliens called Meks. The humans think the docile Meks are happy being slaves, so are taken by surprise when there is an uprising and all of the Meks begin fighting to eliminate humans. The Meks defeat all castles except the largest and best defended one called Castle Hagedorn. One of the clan leaders there, Xanten, organizes a final stand against the Meks. Using lively dialog and interesting alien creatures, Vance presents humanitarian and ethical issues in a well written and interesting story. It is one of his better writings, although not one his greatest. It is a pity that more of Vance's novellas and novels did not receive awards. My rating: 4.
The Miracle Workers
"The Miracle Workers" is a 74 page novella published in 1958 by Amazing Science Fiction. The original inhabitants of the planet Pangborn are strange creatures called First Folk who have been marginalized by humans who arrived many years ago from another planet but who have lost almost all of their science and technology. One of the descendants of these humans, Lord Faide, has waged war to unite the various areas of the planet where other humans reside. Their solders are mostly foot soldiers who carry crossbows and darts and some mounted, armored knights. The only more technically advance items of warfare are several untried cannon like devices and one small, single person shuttle that Lord Faide can minimally operate. They also employ psychic warfare skills called "hoodoo" that the "Jinxmen" use to influence the opposition soldiers by causing them to have visions. Hoodoo can also be used to insert a demon like mentality into one's own soldiers to turn them into amazingly fierce fighters. Unfortunately for Lord Faide and his soldiers, hoodoo does not work on the First Folk who have decided that they have had enough of human interference. Although there is a lot of killing in the story, I found it rather fascinating and interesting and rated it a 3.5
This Vance omnibus collection includes the two Vance novels Big Planet and The Blue World plus three of his novellas, The Dragon Masters, The Last Castle and The Miracle Worker. It is a very good collection that is highly recommended. I rated it a 4. A brief review of the contents is below:
Big Planet-Jack Vance
Big Planet is a very early, planetary adventure, science fiction novel by Jack Vance that will probably appeal more to Vance fans than the general reader. It was first published in the pulp magazine Startling Stories in September of 1952. It was cut and reissued as a novel by Avalon Books in 1957.
Big Planet is much larger than Earth and has been colonized by people and groups that left Earth, often to avoid persecution or prosecution. These diverse people, including many misfits and cultists, are not ruled by the government on Earth and are not at all united. All laws are highly localized and various groups, towns and tribes often are often in conflict or even at war with each other. There is no planetary government or leadership. There is also no metal on the planet so it has no industrial development, electricity or advanced technology. The standard of exchange are pieces of metal from off planet. Persons who have the most metal are the richest.
One local tyrant named Charley Lysidder has been attacking other towns with his army to attempt to be the planetary leader. He hopes to unite and rule the planet. He is also involved with the slave trade and with importing technologically advanced weapons that are forbidden on the planet. Authorities on Earth have sent representatives to negotiate with him but they rarely returned. This time they decide to send Claude Glystra and his crew by spaceship. But the ship is sabotaged and crashes on the planet 40,000 miles from its destination, the Earth Enclave where it would be safe. The crew abandon the craft and begin the long journey to the Earth Enclave but are pursued by dangerous wild creatures, tribes of cannibals, Charley Lysidder's army and many others. Each group they meet and village or town they encounter has a different culture with varying rules, laws and acceptable behaviors. These diverse tribes and cities are only minimally developed by Vance, but it is still somewhat interesting to read.
But basically this very early novel by Vance is not one of his best. The plot is minimal and, except for the main character, Claude Glystra, there is almost no character development. You will find little of Vance's brilliant, often witty dialog that invigorate most of his later novels. Although there is some description of interesting or unusual tribes and towns, it is simplistic and minimally developed. It is not the complex, detailed, extremely well thought out "world building" that Vance offers us in many of his later works. The love affair between Claude Glystra and "Nancy" is also flat and unconvincing.
Despite these flaws, there is plenty of action and things move very quickly. It hints at the superb novels Vance would eventually write. For those who can be less critical and go with the flow, Big Planet can be interesting, even fun to read. But it is clearly not top notch Vance and will appeal mostly to Vance devotees who are interested in seeing how Vance developed as a great writer. I understand Big Planet also has historical importance in the development of early science fiction. Apparently because of the description of a new world ("world building") and its presentation of a "planetary romance" it was considered somewhat groundbreaking for a 1952 pulp science fiction work. I've read it twice in recent years and rate it a 4.
The Blue World
The Blue World, first published in 1966 and is one of his better ones even though it might not be quite as deep and complex as some of his truly great novels. The Blue World should appeal to many general readers and not simply to Vance fans. It seems to be a very popular Vance novel, and there are plenty of detailed reviews already written so I will keep discussion of the plot itself relatively brief.
Vance is often at his very best when he creates new worlds, sometimes futuristic ones, often on other planets. They might involve a traveler who visits various planets or different cultures on the same planet. Sometimes, as in the case of The Blue World, it involves people who came from a technologically advanced society who are now marooned, abandoned or simply out of contact with previous knowledge. Usually these tales are infused with wit, irony, social psychological insights and many cultural anthropological issues. Frequently they involve philosophy, religions, manners, customs and various unusual or even bizarre cognitions, behaviors and environments. Sometimes our laws of physics are changed or telepathic or other unusual forces are introduced. Vance invariably constructs these worlds with a masterly use of language and amazing imagination and creativity. In The Blue World we have one such fascinating world.
In this stand alone novel Vance introduces a water world society of people whose ancestors, from a highly scientifically advanced society, crash landed on the planet twelve generations ago. There is no land in this water world, only small island like pads of plants where simple homes are built. Each pad uses a communication tower to send signals to other pads. For 150 years the residents have provided food for and even worshipped an intelligent, giant sea monster like creature called a kragen, naming this one "King Kragen." There are different castes of people who have various jobs and status. These include "Hooligans," "Bezlers," "Hoodwinks," "Advertisermen," and "Intercessors." The "Intercessors" are a priestly caste who coordinate the worship, feeding and activities surrounding King Kragen. They communicate with the creature through underwater sound waves and other secret means which might include telepathy. This kragen is now huge and protects the people from smaller kragens who try to steal their food source, mainly cultivated sponges surrounded by netting. In addition to eating much of their food supply, King Kragen also will not allow people to make sea voyages and will attack the person or property of those who speak ill of him or otherwise anger him. Most of the citizens are content with things as they are, although there is resentment that the Intercessors do not do much work, live in comparative luxury and consider themselves superior.
Mril Rohan is a very independent, resourceful and irreligious citizen who objects to the tyranny of King Kragen and decides to act on his on behalf when King Kragen fails to protect his sponge garden from an invading smaller kragen. His attempts at protecting his property bring him into direct conflict with tradition, the Intercessors who see their authority challenged and with King Kragen himself. Thus begins a very enjoyable, easy to read novel that should have widespread appeal. It might not be one of Vance's really great novels, but it is certainly well worth reading. My rating 4
The Dragon Masters
Dragon Masters is a 116 page novella that was first published in the Galaxy Magazine in 1962. It won a Hugo Award in 1963 for best Short Fiction. This is a very well known Vance work and should have rather widespread appeal to science fiction readers. It is a entertaining and enjoyable novel that involves much combat and action, most of it using interesting creatures referred to as dragons. I've read it twice now and liked it even better the second time. Rating 4.
The story takes place on the planet Aerlith, a rocky planet with a few fertile valleys. One colony of humans, lead by Joaz Banbeck, lives in Banthen Valley and another, led by Ervis Carcolo, resides in Happy Valley. Another group of humans called the Sacerdotes live in underground tunnels and consider themselves to be a different species, referring to other humans as "Utter Men." They are mysterious ascetics who have long hair, never wear clothes and have golden torcs around their necks. Sacerdotes are devoted to truth and knowledge and cannot tell lies but often answer questions in a vague indirect way. Avoiding the affairs of the Utter Men, Sacerdotes consider themselves superior, and wait for the time when Utter Men all disappear so they can take over. Sacerdotes are also very secretive and are suspected of having some hidden advance technologies, possibly even advance weapons or spaceships.
Many years ago aliens called "graphs" or "basics" invaded Aerlith and kidnapped many humans. The graphs continue to sometimes return to Aerlith to bomb the towns (mostly huts) and to abduct humans whom they enslave and genetically modify to make warriors. Years ago some of the graphs were captured by the humans and served as the breeding stock to create fighting dragons. So the humans have dragon like fighters who are descendents of the graphs and the graphs have warriors who are bred from genetically modified humans.
The leader of Banthen Valley, Banbeck, meets with the leader of Happy Valley, Carcolo, to ask his assistance in preparing to defend the planet from another graph attack. He suggests that they align forces and that Carcolo follow his lead by making underground tunnels and caves so their citizens can retreat to them when the graphs return. Carcolo refuses to cooperate or assist, however, and is more interested in attacking the Sacerdotes or other humans and in expanding his territory. Banbeck also tries to enlist the aid of the Sacerdotes in defending against the graphs but they refuse to be involved in mutual defense or in any of the affairs of the Utter Men.
The different types of dragons developed in the breeding programs are explained and include Termagants, Murderers, Fiends, Blue Horrors, Juggers and Spiders. Each type has its uses in battle. Some have horns or pincers they use to fight with while others are trained to use pistols, swords or mace. Dragons come in a variety of sizes from human size to gigantic. This is also true of the soldiers the graphs use that are genetically modified humans. There is much strategy, action and drama as the different forces encounter one another in various battles and maneuvers. It is easy, engaging reading and should appeal to all Vance fans.
Last Castle, The
"The Last Castle" was first published in Galaxy Magazine in 1966. It won the Hugo Award for Best Novelette in 1967 and the Nebula Award for Best Novella in 1966. It was also nominated for a Nebula Award for Best Novel. Technically it is a novella. The setting is in the far future where an elite clans of humans on Earth live in castles as a special class of ruling aristocrats. Under them are the peasants and slaves. Most of the work, even the most technical, is performed by enslaved aliens called Meks. The humans think the docile Meks are happy being slaves, so are taken by surprise when there is an uprising and all of the Meks begin fighting to eliminate humans. The Meks defeat all castles except the largest and best defended one called Castle Hagedorn. One of the clan leaders there, Xanten, organizes a final stand against the Meks. Using lively dialog and interesting alien creatures, Vance presents humanitarian and ethical issues in a well written and interesting story. It is one of his better writings, although not one his greatest. It is a pity that more of Vance's novellas and novels did not receive awards. My rating: 4.
The Miracle Workers
"The Miracle Workers" is a 74 page novella published in 1958 by Amazing Science Fiction. The original inhabitants of the planet Pangborn are strange creatures called First Folk who have been marginalized by humans who arrived many years ago from another planet but who have lost almost all of their science and technology. One of the descendants of these humans, Lord Faide, has waged war to unite the various areas of the planet where other humans reside. Their solders are mostly foot soldiers who carry crossbows and darts and some mounted, armored knights. The only more technically advance items of warfare are several untried cannon like devices and one small, single person shuttle that Lord Faide can minimally operate. They also employ psychic warfare skills called "hoodoo" that the "Jinxmen" use to influence the opposition soldiers by causing them to have visions. Hoodoo can also be used to insert a demon like mentality into one's own soldiers to turn them into amazingly fierce fighters. Unfortunately for Lord Faide and his soldiers, hoodoo does not work on the First Folk who have decided that they have had enough of human interference. Although there is a lot of killing in the story, I found it rather fascinating and interesting and rated it a 3.5
January 22, 2021
I’ve read a decent amount of Vance over the years and had yet to go through some of the ones in this collection.
So I thought it might be of interest to those being introduced to the author to supply some context within his work and give some suggestions to further reading.
Most stories in the bundle deal in some form with segregation, hubris and a struggle between conservativeness and progression. In Vance’s style we get to see ample of the wicked side of human nature and most of the protagonists are only half-likable at best.
Big Planet
An early story which I’d read before and had no real interest reading again. As noted in other reviews, as a retrospect it is interesting to see many of Vance’s tropes and style in its infancy and some decent cultural quirks being on display. But as a story, especially introductory for the author, it’s not very interesting.
If you liked the pulpy adventure nature and chain of small contained stories of this one, you might like one of Vance’s last novels: Ports to Call.
If you liked the swashbuckling nature and scoundrel protagonist, you might like Cugel’s Saga, part of Tales of Dying Earth.
Blue World
A novella with some relevant themes of liberty vs. authoritarianism and social polarization in a very well thought out culture. The premise of a caste system based on ex-convict felonies is brilliant and is wonderfully diluted to take different meanings and associations as the time progressed. While the up-front story at first appears to be more of an adventurous nature it turns into a call towards breaking with rigid traditions and seeking out science-based progression. The first half is rather repetitive in its goal to showcase the growing divide within the floats society but the pacing picks up after this initial set-up.
Includes the only decently developed female character in this bundle, and even then she’s not much more than a love interest, which is a shame.
If you liked the depth of the culture and world creation with a social turbulence theme, you might like the Alastor trilogy, also set in the Gaean Reach universe.
The Miracle Workers
I really enjoyed this one. It shows the crispness of Vance wielding the short-story form with practiced hand, managing to display a vibrant cast of characters in a living world. It shows some of Vance’s knack for weird worlds with fantastical problems to be overcome by creative and/or silly ingenuity.
If you liked the feudalistic castles and armies and mystical dealings, you might like Vance’s fantasy Lyonesse trilogy, starting with Suldrun’s Garden.
If you liked the low-tech setting with arcane technology that is viewed as magical you’ll enjoy Rhialto the Marvellous as part of the Tales of the Dying Earth.
The Dragon Masters
I had mixed feeling on this one. It starts of by diverting many fantasy trope expectations and setting up a bunch of story lines that would converge in its climax. Behind its front cover of brutality and warfare it has messages about slavery and genetic modification, but I’m not entirely sure it finishes the sentences it started. In this it would have been better served in a full novel to explain the detailing and nuances and to have some attachment to the world that is under threat. The original Galaxy Magazine publishing included a map and illustrations of the different dragon breeds, which would have been very welcome given the (a-typical for Vance) sparse descriptions of these.
It’s an odd duck as, aside from the typical dialogue prose, the storytelling methods of The Dragon Masters is quite distinct from Vance’s usual style. So, I’ll again suggest the Lyonesse trilogy for its combination of political intrigue and military escapades (Especially Suldrun’s Garden and Madouc), for I can’t think of another analogue in his larger works at the moment but will add it once I find one.
The Last Castle
I had read this one before and wasn’t too impressed back then, but it had been a while so dove in once more. Not my favorite, but it’s decent.
While very skillfully constructed and making full use of Vance’s elaborate prose it also features one of his most disgustingly decadent cultures and nasty characters. Eventually things do kind of turn around, but the sentiments and (in)actions shared by most of the casts make them very unlikable. The themes of subjugation and slavery are once again at its core.
It is the most philosophical of the included stories and much time is spend with debates on mortality, legacy, materialism, morality and passivity vs. being forced to action (a theme also present in The Dragon Masters).
If you liked the idea of a decadent, hierarchal and formally rigid society being threatened by a slave uprising, you might like the Cadwal trilogy, starting with Araminta Station.
All in all it’s a nice collection of short stories that do a decent job of displaying Vance’s styles, but they are not his best work. Vance was a master of the short form and this ability only shines through in a few of the given examples.
It is nice that the stories are connected with certain themes, but maybe not the best choice from the point of view of introducing new readers to a diverse and highly creative author.
So I thought it might be of interest to those being introduced to the author to supply some context within his work and give some suggestions to further reading.
Most stories in the bundle deal in some form with segregation, hubris and a struggle between conservativeness and progression. In Vance’s style we get to see ample of the wicked side of human nature and most of the protagonists are only half-likable at best.
Big Planet
An early story which I’d read before and had no real interest reading again. As noted in other reviews, as a retrospect it is interesting to see many of Vance’s tropes and style in its infancy and some decent cultural quirks being on display. But as a story, especially introductory for the author, it’s not very interesting.
If you liked the pulpy adventure nature and chain of small contained stories of this one, you might like one of Vance’s last novels: Ports to Call.
If you liked the swashbuckling nature and scoundrel protagonist, you might like Cugel’s Saga, part of Tales of Dying Earth.
Blue World
A novella with some relevant themes of liberty vs. authoritarianism and social polarization in a very well thought out culture. The premise of a caste system based on ex-convict felonies is brilliant and is wonderfully diluted to take different meanings and associations as the time progressed. While the up-front story at first appears to be more of an adventurous nature it turns into a call towards breaking with rigid traditions and seeking out science-based progression. The first half is rather repetitive in its goal to showcase the growing divide within the floats society but the pacing picks up after this initial set-up.
Includes the only decently developed female character in this bundle, and even then she’s not much more than a love interest, which is a shame.
If you liked the depth of the culture and world creation with a social turbulence theme, you might like the Alastor trilogy, also set in the Gaean Reach universe.
The Miracle Workers
I really enjoyed this one. It shows the crispness of Vance wielding the short-story form with practiced hand, managing to display a vibrant cast of characters in a living world. It shows some of Vance’s knack for weird worlds with fantastical problems to be overcome by creative and/or silly ingenuity.
If you liked the feudalistic castles and armies and mystical dealings, you might like Vance’s fantasy Lyonesse trilogy, starting with Suldrun’s Garden.
If you liked the low-tech setting with arcane technology that is viewed as magical you’ll enjoy Rhialto the Marvellous as part of the Tales of the Dying Earth.
The Dragon Masters
I had mixed feeling on this one. It starts of by diverting many fantasy trope expectations and setting up a bunch of story lines that would converge in its climax. Behind its front cover of brutality and warfare it has messages about slavery and genetic modification, but I’m not entirely sure it finishes the sentences it started. In this it would have been better served in a full novel to explain the detailing and nuances and to have some attachment to the world that is under threat. The original Galaxy Magazine publishing included a map and illustrations of the different dragon breeds, which would have been very welcome given the (a-typical for Vance) sparse descriptions of these.
It’s an odd duck as, aside from the typical dialogue prose, the storytelling methods of The Dragon Masters is quite distinct from Vance’s usual style. So, I’ll again suggest the Lyonesse trilogy for its combination of political intrigue and military escapades (Especially Suldrun’s Garden and Madouc), for I can’t think of another analogue in his larger works at the moment but will add it once I find one.
The Last Castle
I had read this one before and wasn’t too impressed back then, but it had been a while so dove in once more. Not my favorite, but it’s decent.
While very skillfully constructed and making full use of Vance’s elaborate prose it also features one of his most disgustingly decadent cultures and nasty characters. Eventually things do kind of turn around, but the sentiments and (in)actions shared by most of the casts make them very unlikable. The themes of subjugation and slavery are once again at its core.
It is the most philosophical of the included stories and much time is spend with debates on mortality, legacy, materialism, morality and passivity vs. being forced to action (a theme also present in The Dragon Masters).
If you liked the idea of a decadent, hierarchal and formally rigid society being threatened by a slave uprising, you might like the Cadwal trilogy, starting with Araminta Station.
All in all it’s a nice collection of short stories that do a decent job of displaying Vance’s styles, but they are not his best work. Vance was a master of the short form and this ability only shines through in a few of the given examples.
It is nice that the stories are connected with certain themes, but maybe not the best choice from the point of view of introducing new readers to a diverse and highly creative author.
June 20, 2026
A delightful collection of Jack Vance's shorter stories. He remains my favourite author for the attention and life he gives to all the cultures he imagines, making each world and story feel unique, alive and most of all human. Aliens feel alien, unlike aliens with a human twist, so commonly found in fiction.
The stories here have a largely common theme of people returning to more backwards ways of life after planet fall. The Blue Planet and the Dragon Masters were my particular favourites, although the former ends rather abruptly.
Well worth your time.
The stories here have a largely common theme of people returning to more backwards ways of life after planet fall. The Blue Planet and the Dragon Masters were my particular favourites, although the former ends rather abruptly.
Well worth your time.
March 8, 2015
The Blue World is one of my favorite Vance novellas. The first few pages are a particularly skillful display of storytelling.
June 1, 2026
I enjoyed all the stories except the last one immensely, Vance has a style with words that makes reading anything by him a pleasure.
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