Rating: 
Summary: Triumph of the common man over adversity
Review: That's basicaly what I saw here. I know it sounds lofty, but from humble beginnings one young man attempts to redeem his whole world. This book was re-published lately under the SF masterworks series and I'm glad that series was begun. Please look out for them all. It is the first series I've ever truly agreed with wholeheatedly.
Rating: 
Summary: Splendid parable
Review: The one flaw I find in this engrossing book is that Vance seems to have decided, at that stage of his career, that it needed a little more structural emphasis than his previous books had displayed. This led him to the calamitous device of an opening, "framing," chapter. If this opening chapter should be torn bodily from the book -- and would we might see Vance's own explicit authorization for such a deed! -- it would then be perfect, in all respects.
Rating:
Summary: I recommend
Review: This book haunts me. That is, from time to time I realize I'm thinking about it, and how many books can you say that about? I won't presume to go over the plot, but there are truly beautiful passages in this short novel. Since reading it I have always taken a second look at carved wooden screens searching for perfection that will never be found.Good luck finding a copy though. Used bookstores are your best bet.
Rating:
Summary: I recommend
Review: This book haunts me. That is, from time to time I realize I'm thinking about it, and how many books can you say that about? I won't presume to go over the plot, but there are truly beautiful passages in this short novel. Since reading it I have always taken a second look at carved wooden screens searching for perfection that will never be found. Good luck finding a copy though. Used bookstores are your best bet.
Rating:
Summary: Great Literature From A Master Storyteller
Review: This book is a haunting coming-of-age tale set in an ancient decaying city on a backwater planet. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A Story of Destiny
Review: This is a well-written story by Jack Vance. In the city of Ambroy, Ghyl Tarvoke grows up in a feudal-like society where mass production is forbidden and craftsmen are exploited. Early in the book Ghyl is seven when he sees a puppet show. This proves to be a pivotal event in his formative years. Over the years Ghyl starts to question the morality of the ruling elite, who literally tower over the masses. His actions are influenced by the mythological hero Emphyrio... The culture of Ghyl's world is unwittingly oppressed by corruption. But is someone oppressing the oppressors? As Ghyl reaches maturity he sets out to fight this and make the truth known. This is the first novel I've read by Jack Vance, and I have to say it's intriguing. Vance makes his characters sound very believable. (I've never come across a character more obnoxious than Nion Bohart.) In the back of my mind I suspected that this book might have been one of the works that influenced the look of "Star Wars" - especially with that combination of space-ships and old-fashioned dress. A paragraph in chapter 5 actually refers to a conflict called the Star Wars. Also to an emperor. If it wasn't "Emphyrio" that was the influence I'm pretty sure it was "The Dying Earth". That and "Dune". In any case, "Emphyrio" is well worth a read. It makes you think that anyone can fight injustice if they're determined enough.
Rating:
Summary: A Story of Destiny
Review: This is a well-written story by Jack Vance. In the city of Ambroy, Ghyl Tarvoke grows up in a feudal-like society where mass production is forbidden and craftsmen are exploited. Early in the book Ghyl is seven when he sees a puppet show. This proves to be a pivotal event in his formative years. Over the years Ghyl starts to question the morality of the ruling elite, who literally tower over the masses. His actions are influenced by the mythological hero Emphyrio... The culture of Ghyl's world is unwittingly oppressed by corruption. But is someone oppressing the oppressors? As Ghyl reaches maturity he sets out to fight this and make the truth known. This is the first novel I've read by Jack Vance, and I have to say it's intriguing. Vance makes his characters sound very believable. (I've never come across a character more obnoxious than Nion Bohart.) In the back of my mind I suspected that this book might have been one of the works that influenced the look of "Star Wars" - especially with that combination of space-ships and old-fashioned dress. A paragraph in chapter 5 actually refers to a conflict called the Star Wars. Also to an emperor. If it wasn't "Emphyrio" that was the influence I'm pretty sure it was "The Dying Earth". That and "Dune". In any case, "Emphyrio" is well worth a read. It makes you think that anyone can fight injustice if they're determined enough.
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