Alastor is recommended to all Vance fans as are the other two Alastor novels. This is not one of the novels that comes to mind when I recommend a book to a reader new to Vance.
- Mein total genialer Doppelgänger (German Edition)!
- Join Kobo & start eReading today!
- Publication: Wyst: Alastor 1716.
- Tripping On a Shoestring!
- Love You To.
- Publication: Wyst: Alastor ;
- Get A Copy!
But it could serve that purpose since it is a stand alone novel that is interesting, easy to read and accessible. I'm sure I will read it again a few more years from now. Alastor Jack Vance Alastor, 3 3. Oct 29, Florin Pitea rated it it was ok. Nov 10, Phil Jensen rated it really liked it. This is the third book in the Alastor trilogy, but there's really no reason to read the other two first.
The first book, Trullion, is a fan favorite, so you might choose to read that one. The second book, Marune, I recommend leaving till later. The three books share a galaxy and one minor character: The Connatic becomes more of a character in this book, which is exciting after his micro cameos in the other two books. The novel is more humorless than some of Vance's other work. It co This is the third book in the Alastor trilogy, but there's really no reason to read the other two first. It concerns a communist society and vile plots.
The tension was high, and I was satisfied with the pacing and conclusion.
- Blood on a Broken Hand (Tales of Terrara Vikos Book 3).
- The Basal Ganglia IX: 58 (Advances in Behavioral Biology);
- Wyst: Alastor (Alastor, #3) by Jack Vance (2 star ratings).
- Wyst: Alastor by Jack Vance - FictionDB.
- Wyst: Alastor by Jack Vance - Books - Hachette Australia.
- Bridge to Cailai: Book Two.
People who dislike it do so because of the grimness or because of the political content. A few comments on politics in Vance novels: It can be inferred from this novel, Emphyrio, and a few others that Vance had no love of Communism, Socialism, and possibly unions. Many have also commented on what may be far-right sentiments in Koryphon aka The Gray Prince. It seems likely to me, however, that Vance was less of a card-carrying Republican and more of a hardened cynic.
Given the number of his plots that turn on the tyranny of the common denominator or the folly of groupthink, it seems possible that he didn't care much for democracy in general. In fact the only governments he seems to approve of were certain monarchic elements in the Lyonesse novels and the Connatic in this novel, who is essentially a laissez-faire dictator.
In addition, his heroes in Araminta Station and Demon Princes can be read as positive examples of unchecked authority. I would argue, however, that politics was never the motive force behind Vance's writing. Even his most political novels are guided by the experience of a protagonist. Vance puts his energy and craft into the portrayal of that character as an individual, and the struggles that the character experiences. A situation in which the predominant culture is basically wrong is required for a Vancian protagonist to have something to butt up against. It stands to reason that the antithesis of Vance's uniquely picaresque, egotistical individualist would be a Communist government, and that is probably why Vance portrays that type of government so brutally in his novels.
Dec 18, Mohammed rated it really liked it Shelves: This last book in Alastor trilogy was the best, most fascinating novel in the series. It had the more complex world, human culture, the most cerebral story of the series. Jantiff Ravenstroke is the avreage man of all Vance protoganist I have read. He was a normal young man looking to make a career of his talent with painting.
I felt for his bad luck in choosing adventure, work in the planet, human society he ended up in. The ending was a little too neat, too fast resulation to the story. I have This last book in Alastor trilogy was the best, most fascinating novel in the series. I have read so many Vance novels that i was looking for more flaws, being critical to this book compared to his usual high standards of writing. This was better than I expected for a lesser known series of his. Apr 21, Jack Navarath rated it it was amazing. I was late to the Vance party.
I started reading Jack Vance about 7 years ago. Looking back on all of the Vance books I read, Wyst stands out in my mind. It had the most humor, and it just makes me smile thinking about it.
Wyst: Alastor 1716
I also really enjoyed the Demon Princes Series - but Wyst was just cleverly done. I really hate rereading novels, but this is one I'll be rereading at some point. Jan 12, Jacob rated it really liked it Shelves: Couldn't put it down. Jun 17, Robert Hepple rated it really liked it. Wyst, first published in , is another of Vance's stories of the Alastor star cluster near the Gaean Reach.
In this, the lotus-eating wastrel population of Marune are pretty irritating and deserve all that they ultimately get. But nonetheless a good addition to the series, as later stories are marked often by plots that go nowhere.
Other books you might like
The third and final book of Jack Vance's Alastor series. Feb 01, Bibi rated it it was amazing.
This is one of my favourite Vance novels with an amazing world building. The language is, as usual, tasty, inventive and bold. Feb 21, David Meiklejohn rated it really liked it. Some gruff and deedle, with some wobbly to fill the cracks! That's what the people of Wyst have to eat.
It's very basic food, and one of the main prices for their lifestyle. They wanted an idealistic world, with as little work as possible, so each does his or her 13 hours of drudge each week and has the rest of the week to spend in blissfully entertaining themselves. Our hero, Jantiff, enters this world in search of a bit of excitement, and the chance to sketch the scenes of Wyst, which has some Some gruff and deedle, with some wobbly to fill the cracks!
Our hero, Jantiff, enters this world in search of a bit of excitement, and the chance to sketch the scenes of Wyst, which has some of the best light in the Alastor cluster. He is allocated a room in the "old pink" block, but soon finds life not so easy. His camera is stolen, he is looked down on as an immigrant, and his companions seem to be involved in some nefarious activities. When he's invited on a bonterfest he's not sure whether it will be a break in the monotony or a danger to his life. But the attraction of some real food is had to resist. Jack Vance knows how to make a world come to life, with alien touches, but people who are very much grounded in reality.
Usually with their own agendas and little in the way of empathy. Jantiff's story is a typical space-opera thriller, but the setting and the quirks of the characters really set it apart from the common thriller novel. I wanted to stay on Wyst for just a while longer, even after finding out where the gruff and deedle come from.
May 05, Left Sr rated it liked it Shelves: In a find blend of very Vancian evenhandedness and misanthropy, Vance provides a sideways utopia, spoofing socialism with a conservative's eye towards the banality and ugliness of crowd life. While I don't agree with his political spin, he does a remarkable job of making both socialist masses and bourgeois profiteers seem unscrupulous, invidious, feckless, and slimy, typical themes of a Jack Vance cosmos.
Exceedingly disappointing ending though- perhaps he ran out of space or time for spinning o In a find blend of very Vancian evenhandedness and misanthropy, Vance provides a sideways utopia, spoofing socialism with a conservative's eye towards the banality and ugliness of crowd life. Exceedingly disappointing ending though- perhaps he ran out of space or time for spinning out the numerous plot threads, which are abruptly dropped in a crude, irritating deus ex machina which, with the smug satisfaction of a good conservative, also puts an end to the socialistic civilization, whose working or lasting he can't imagine, but whose collapse he also can't envision without the intervention of the All-Powerful Space Monarch.
Dec 16, Rog Harrison rated it liked it. I have read this book many times and it always leaves me feeling uneasy. In fact often when I re-read my collection of Jack Vance books this is one I miss out. The main character is sympathetic, the dialogue is great and the world Jack Vance creates is amazing.
- More books by Jack Vance.
- Latest Topics!
- Shopping Cart;
However maybe it is the casual nature of the unpleasantness of the "villains" which gets under my skin and stops me enjoying this book more. Jack Vance has certainly created nastier villains in books I really enjoyed. I wond I have read this book many times and it always leaves me feeling uneasy. I wonder if Jack Vance himself felt uneasy as the ending is more positive than in many of his other books. Oct 12, Citronnade rated it liked it Shelves: It's hard to define what I thought about this book. This is the first book by Vance I read and maybe it was not the best place to start, being part of a series of several books it can be read as a standalone but I felt I was missing some references at times.
Also, I read a French translation which feels rather dated nowadays. Maybe that explains why I could not really feel anything for any of the characters, or get enthusiastic about the story. I found the book merely enjoyable. Aug 14, Michael Leuschel rated it really liked it.
Wyst: Alastor by Jack Vance
Another good, quite typical and very entertaining Jack Vance novel; maybe a bit darker than usual cf. I liked the depiction of the egalitarian society cf. James rated it really liked it Mar 14, Charles rated it really liked it Dec 25, Lindsey Reese rated it really liked it Mar 17, Ray Berkelmans rated it it was amazing Jul 12, Gary rated it really liked it May 28, Daniel Tripp rated it it was amazing Jul 17, John Bokma rated it really liked it Sep 29, Dave rated it liked it Feb 15, Ric rated it it was amazing Mar 16, The World According to Anna.
The Unfinished Novel and Other stories. From the Place in the Valley Deep in the Forest. Books Jack Vance Wyst: More books by Jack Vance. Find a book you'll love, get our newsletter name email. YES I have read and consent to Hachette Australia using my personal information or data as set out in its Privacy Policy and I understand I have the right to withdraw my consent at any time. This website uses cookies. Using this website means you are okay with this but you can find out more and learn how to manage your cookie choices here.
Close cookie policy overlay.