Alastor

English is my second language. This was my first book by Jack Vance in this language, and, as expected, it was not without some difficulties. The language is very elaborate and rich with words not used nowadays very often. In fact, most of the words I had to translate, as per Google translate, were more common in 19 or early 20 century. I experimented with my native english spoken friends and in few cases they failed to recognize quite a few words. This made my enthusiasm on incorporating them into my everyday language somewhat wane. Anyways, it is strongly suggested to anyone who studies English or would like to take it to the next level to go this extra mile and get every single word translated. It is a truly amazing journey that will stay with you long after you finish this book. If fact, i think this should be taught in schools on how to master beautiful language with an incredible efficiency. Those who read Peter Hamilton knows what I mean. :)As for the stories, they all are very original, and very different. The last one surprised me with Jack's take on some kind of communist society. For an American, as one of the reviews suggests, this is the manifestation of the criticism of communism. I found it a mix of all the evils from many kinds of societies including, yes my dear friends, the American one. Jack manages to keep the story super original, unusual, and sometimes grotesque,Overall, this is an incredible talent like no other. I suggest it to anyone who, besides an excellent entertainment, values a rich, clever and humorous language.

If you're not familiar with Vance, then by all means get this book. It contains within it some of the cleverest and well-written books in the English language. Vance was a master of creating "alien" societies that mock human societies on our real planet, and he usually has some main character completely undo or outwit some bloviating system or people. And then there's Vance's visuals: There are scenes Vance paints that are far more vivid than most paintings. And at least once a novel, you will laugh hard.

This collection of 3 novels shows Vance doing what he does best- creating detailed & exotic worlds with unconventional social systems, and telling an engaging story through interesting characters.'Marune' finds a man without a memory- he slowly learns who he is, and who had stolen his mind and why. The answer leads him into Machiaviellian intrigue in a remarkable land of subtle noblemen.'Trullion' is a water world with a mania for a competitive sport known as Hussade- and Glinnes Hulden has more to worry about than keeping his team together. All is not well among the deceptively tranquil islands.'Wyst' is a look at a perfectly egalitarian society that is by no means a Utopia. "The trouble with Utopia is people".This book is worth the price for the settings alone- Vance is the best creator of imaginative and vibrant worlds. The plots are interesting as well- icing on the cake. Vance is a master science-fantasy stylist.

Best so far that I have read of Jack Vance. Wonderfully detailed account of humanity, and men and women, in alien environments and immersed in the strange cultures they have developed in response.

Jack Vance is my hero. It's that simple. The guy can write and world build. If you like that type of writing, pick this book up.

Jack Vance is truly one of the greatest of all science fiction writers. If you like science fiction you must get his books.

I have read and re-read all three of these novels and often fondly recall certain scenes and ideas, especially of Trullion. Jack Vance is certainly one of the world's most creative and original storytellers with a unique voice and perspective. No doubt, influenced by his incredibly broad range of interests, travel as a merchant marine seaman, talents, and serious interest in and knowledge of ethnic cultures, his depiction of and galaxy wide dispersed world cultures are based on extrapolations of human cultures and are always fascinating.For instance Vance's original game of Hussade, plays an important role in the plot of Trullion.Few other writers make Music (The Moon Moth), Art (Emphyrio) , or language itself (the Languages of Pao) central components of many of his works. Often, we see glimpses of our Earth cultures with some of their rigid dogmas and stupidity, and other less unfavorable aspects taken to extremes. Food is often described in sufficient detail to either elicit envy in the reader, or in some cases disgust (The Face). In other words in Jack Vance's short stories and longer works you are treated to a far more complex complete view of living in a truly foreign/future/alien culture than in the hands of any other author.Jack Vance's worst work is miles ahead of most of today's Fantasy / SF dribble with the current overload of paranormal, dystopian, vampire junk that is guaranteed to sink to the absolute lowest common denominator.There is no one currently who creates worlds as complex and interesting as Jack Vance because they lack his brilliance and astounding experience. I would however, highly recommend, the Pharaoh Contract by Ray Aldridge for intelligent and intensely exciting adventure with serious cultural creativity.http://www.amazon.com/Pharaoh-Contract-Emancipator-Book-ebook/dp/B00J84KN92/ref=la_B00J1KVDBK_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427317763&sr=1-2Not everyone will like Jack Vance's works, but if you consider yourself an intelligent reader, you should definitely read at at least a few of his short stories and books.

I bought alastor as it was referred to in James blish - cities in flight. as such I was expecting space opera style novels, but the 3 stories of alastor are all closer to fantasy than fall into what I tend to think of as sci- fantasy (if you have read any of gene woolfe you will know what I mean). if this puts you off don't let it or you would be missing out on 3 excellent little stories based on 3 planets within the alastor system combining romance, mystery, fantasy, space opera and some fantastic characters that you grow to love and hate even though you are not long acquainted with them. on the basis of this book I plan to buy many more by Jack Vance.

Bon autant être honnête j'ai un faible pour cet auteur.Ce volume regroupe trois histoires qui se déroulent dans le même univers, chacune nous invitant à découvrir une planète organisée selon un système social particulier. C'est nerveux, dépaysant et parfaitement écrit. La critique sous jacente très claire des dérives des différents systèmes politique est particulièrement incisive et intelligemment construite. Et puis c'est Jack Vance! J'adore ses personnages, les mondes qu'il nous invite à explorer son riches et crédibles, c'est rythmé, poétique... Le must de la SF!