Maske: Thaery (1976)

http://speculiction.blogspot.com/2013/06/review-of-maskethaery-by-jack-vance.htm... ( )

Vance novels are usually worth reading for the fantastic language and wordplay alone, and this is no except. Maske also contains the usual tropes of disaffected wealth, disillusioned youth, and a fair amount of no-longer-appropriate sexism. It also has, however, one of Vance's more human and likable protagonists.

In brief, Jubal, from a disadvantaged group, sets out on a wanderjahr to find fame, fortune, and his way in the world. He encounters and employs the usual Vance Machiavellian tricks, but eventually wins through. Aside from a brief excursion, the action takes place on one world.

If not highly different from Vance's other work, Maske is at least as enjoyable, and in some ways a more sympathetic read. I recommend it to all Vance fans. If you're not one yet, this is a good place to start.
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I am usually a big fan of Jack Vance, but this one left me pretty underwhelmed. It has basic elements in common with the Star King books, (i.e., dashing young man travels between planets trying to figure out what the mysterious bad guy is up to and while he's at it, exact revenge upon said bad guy). But the protagonist is much less compelling, the bad guy is much less interesting, and the world building is fairly sketchy. Add to that a silly romantic triangle, and you really have a fairly mediocre book. If you're even moderately interested in classic sf, and you haven't yet read anything by Jack Vance, you should fix this soon. But don't start with Maske: Thaery. ( )

http://yet.org/2007/05/un_tour_en_thaerie.html ( )

A fairly average Vance tale of battling wits rather than brawn. It follows Jubal's vengeful pursuit across space of a man who's initial crime was only to push Jubal off a road, and the discovery of a possible threat the very nature of his planet. It's the end however, that turns it all around, when you realise who is actually the innocent victim in all of this. An ending that will stay with me to the grave. ( )