Vance and Shea

Aaron writes:

Shea's a very interesting writer. The books about Nifft are impressive pieces of baroque fantasy, and the sequel to The Eyes of the Overworld is quite amusing. It starts off as a very convincing pastiche, but then Shea's own writerly nature comes seeping through the cracks and the book becomes very Nifft-like at the end -- not that I'm complaining. I reread Vance pretty regularly. He was one of my first great literary loves, and the only one who's kept all his glamour as I've aged. Amusing to think the influence he's had on Wolfe when you consider Vance's cynical take on religion. Yves Meynard

Perhaps Wolfe was influenced by Vance before he converted to Catholicism. If I recall correctly, Wolfe said in Castle of the Otter that he read The Dying Earth upon its release in 1950, before he married and converted, I believe. If Wolfe only discovered Vance today, I wonder what his opinion would be? I agree with you about Vance's glamour never fading. His work is truly timeless. I hope he is re-discovered in the future and that his work is shown the appreciation and respect it deserves. I am glad to hear that you think Shea to be a worthwhile read. I will certainly order the first Nifft book and see how it goes. I might even go to the Baen site right now and order the ebook version of the Complete Nifft. Hmm. It is tempting. Too bad my checking acct. balance is not presently sufficient to cover the paltry four dollars and ninety-nine cents they are asking for the ebook. I shall await payday anxiously! =)