The Hobbit Movie Forum

[Odo Banks]

I am a big fan of JACK VANCE. Does anyone else know his work? I hold him in the rank of Great Fantasy Writers, with only Tolkien one rung higher!

Odo

[Eldorion]

I'm afraid I've never heard of him, what did he write?

[Odo Banks]

Wry humor, excellent style, huge imagination, great observation of what humans are like... I suppose you'd call a lot of his stuff 'space fantasy' or 'space adventure,' though he has written fairy-story fantasy with a twist. He writes lightly but very intelligently and is not afraid to surprise you (and at times annoy or even anger you!)

Some of my favorites are The Planet of Adventure series (City of the Chasch, The Wankh, The Dirdir, The Pnume. Look for the one volume edition); the Lyonesse Trilogy (pure but quirky fantasy); the Araminta trilogy (though the first, Araminta Station is the best); The Cugel books (with an anti-hero as main character)... the list goes on.

He may be an acquired taste, but if you manage to 'get' Vance, you'll come to love him. A very sharp guy. Brilliant describer. Fantastic yet simple style. And often wry, as stated above. After Tolkien, he is probably my favorite author. (He is actually a writer a lot of the best Sci/Fi and Fantasy Writers look up to in awe!)

Odo

[Lester Cat]

Most folks seem to be drawing a blank on this Odo, what do you reckon to Ian m Banks/ Iain Banks. My favs are The Player Of Games and Wasp Factory?

[Odo Banks]

No, don't know of him. Will Google Amazon immediately...

Odo

[Lester Cat]

You really should, if you like the space fantasy of Jack Vance, i think you'd get alot out of him.

[Odo Banks]

Oh come on! Isn't there any Jack Vance on this forum? He's a King of Sci Fi/Fantasy, for God's sake!

Odo

[Odo Banks]

I've gone and done it! I am now on a Jack Vance forum. I'll now have to divide my valuable time between two forums. (I hope you're all satisfied!)

Odo

[Lester Cat]

Read some Iain Banks, Odo, then join a forum about him,......................................... that'll tax even you.................... then keep it to yourself................................................. you gaddabout.

[Odo Banks]

Iain Banks is it...? Mmm..? May even be a relative....

I'll check him out.

Thank you, Lovey.

Odo