Bøger af Jack Vance

Een schriel mannetje op leeftijd met witte haren, een zorgvuldig gecultiveerde sik en fattige maniertjes: niet het voorkomen dat je zou verwachten van een interstellaire speurneus, befaamd wiskundige, beruchte schelm en levensgenieter. Maar wee de tegenstander die het geslepen intellect van Magnus Ridolph onderschat... In deze tien verhalen aanvaardt Magnus Ridolph, immer krap bij kas, een aantal verbijsterende opdrachten: van het stopzetten van de rituele oorlogvoering tussen de 81 krijger-clans van Kokod, tot het oplossen van een moord waarbij alle verdachten een sluitend alibi hebben. Het mysterie van de uit Chandaria geïmporteerde explosieve sardines, of een idyllisch vakantieparadijs dat geteisterd wordt door vliegende draken en dodelijke zeetorren: met behulp van zijn vernuft en zijn ongebruikelijke werkwijzen brengt Magnus Ridolph iedere zaak tot een verrassende - en tevens lucratieve! - ontknoping. Dit boek is de eerste volledige Nederlandse Magnus Ridolph editie. Het bevat de twee nog niet eerder vertaalde verhalen Diepgewortelde wrevel en Sanatoris, kort door de bocht.Magnus Ridolph is deel 2 van Het Verzameld Werk van Jack Vance, uitgegeven door Spatterlight. Omslagillustratie: C. Michael Taylor. Eerdere versies van een aantal van de vertalingen van Jaime Martijn en Pon Ruiter verschenen bij Scala, Rotterdam 1976, en Meulenhoff, Amsterdam 1980 en 1981. De tekst van de Spatterlight editie is op diverse punten gecorrigeerd en aangepast aan de hedendaagse spelling.

This second volume of the Backstage series completes the publication of the author's outlines for his last four novels.The outline for Ecce and Old Earth is the briefest, yet contains many of the plot points and most of the major characters of the finished novel.As yet untitled, the outline for Cadwal III, to be called Throy, is more extensive relative to its final version than its predecessor. Most of the final plot is here, but perhaps of greatest interest is the characteristically wistful ending; many readers will regret its loss and be grateful for its preservation in this form.Nearly 10 years will elapse between the initial outline for Ports of Call and its completion with Lurulu. Episodes not yet invented will be added, others will be discarded. Even the protagonist's name will change.Though not as extensive as that for Night Lamp, published in Volume 1 of the series, each of these synopses led finally to one of Vance's most characteristic works. And of course they are well worth reading in their own right. They are after all by Jack Vance.

Originally published in 1983 by Berkley Books. First published in this edition in 2002 by Vance Integral Edition.

His exploration ship blasted from orbit, Terran scout Adam Reith is stranded on Tschai, a world colonized by three alien species -- the Chasch, the Dirdir, and the Wannek -- while the planet's original inhabitants, the mysterious Pnume, lurk underground. In the fourth and final book of the cycle, Reith's plans to leave Tschai are foiled by the treachery of Aila Woudiver, who delivers him into the clutches of the subterranean-dwelling Pnume. Reith escapes, and teaming with a young and reluctant Pnumekin woman, embarks on an odyssey through a somber labyrinth of tunnels and underworld waterways, to where his spaceship lies hidden. When his companion is captured by the Pnume, Reith must force a last, desperate bargain.Tschai is grandmaster Jack Vance at his unparalleled adventure-spinning peak. - Matt HughesThe Pnume is Book IV of the Tschai (Planet of Adventure) sequence, and Volume 37 of the Spatterlight Press Signature Series.Released in the centenary of the author's birth, this handsome new collectionis based upon the prestigious Vance Integral Edition. Select volumes enjoyup-to-date maps, and many are graced with freshly-written forewords contributedby a distinguished group of authors. Each book bears a facsimile of theauthor's signature and a previously-unpublished photograph, chosen from family archives for the period the book was written. These uniquefeatures will be appreciated by all, from seasoned Vance collector to new reader sampling the spectrum of this author's influential work forthe first time. - John Vance II

The Connatic rules the three thousand inhabited planets of the Alastor Cluster from his palace Lusz on the world Numenes. Though his military force can bring considerable might to bear where necessary, the Connatic often wanders among his subjects incognito, intervening to right a wrong, or leaving well enough alone.The population of the idyllic water-world Trullion is dispersed among myriad islands large and small. Glinnes Hulden, returning from ten years' military service, finds his ancestral home given up to a social movement which will turn the Trill's easy existence on its ear. From winnings earned playing hussade-the gladiatorial sport followed throughout the cluster-Hulden attempts to buy back his inheritance, but his hopes are dashed by a murderous raid carried out by space-borne pirates.Glinnes Hulden must use his wits and strength to regain what is rightfully his.Trullion is Book I of the Alastor sequence, and Volume 47 of the Spatterlight Press Signature Series.Released in the centenary of the author's birth, this handsome new collectionis based upon the prestigious Vance Integral Edition. Select volumes enjoyup-to-date maps, and many are graced with freshly-written forewords contributedby a distinguished group of authors. Each book bears a facsimile of theauthor's signature and a previously-unpublished photograph, chosen from family archives for the period the book was written. These uniquefeatures will be appreciated by all, from seasoned Vance collector to new reader sampling the spectrum of this author's influential work forthe first time. - John Vance II

Young Jaro Fath-his violent past shrouded in amnesia-is raised by adoptive parents to follow in their scholarly footsteps. Instead, driven by desire to learn his origins, Jaro becomes a spaceman and sets off on a voyage of self-discovery.His quest brings him to the decadent world Fader, whose proud but indolent upper class live in fear of bio-engineered slaves who cater to their every whim. On Fader, Jaro will confront the dire secret of his origin. - Matthew HughesNight Lamp is Volume 58 of the Spatterlight Press Signature Series.Released in the centenary of the author's birth, this handsome new collectionis based upon the prestigious Vance Integral Edition. Select volumes enjoyup-to-date maps, and many are graced with freshly-written forewords contributedby a distinguished group of authors. Each book bears a facsimile of theauthor's signature and a previously-unpublished photograph, chosen from family archives for the period the book was written. These uniquefeatures will be appreciated by all, from seasoned Vance collector to new reader sampling the spectrum of this author's influential work forthe first time.

Earth is a decadent world older than memory, the bloated red sun soon to wink out forever. Thief, vagabond, liar and cheat, hapless Cugel the Clever goes too far when he seeks to rob Iucounu, the Laughing Magician. Transported across the sea to a faraway land, Cugel must return with a pair of lenses that show visions of paradise. With curses and schemes, Cugel makes the long journey back to the wizard's manse, determined to wreak revenge. No one ever outdid Jack Vance in the creation of rogues and ramblers. Cugel the Clever, originally published as Eyes of the Overworld, is the Grandmaster at the top of his form. - Matt HughesCugel the Clever is Volume 27 of the Spatterlight Press Signature Series.Released in the centenary of the author's birth, this handsome new collectionis based upon the prestigious Vance Integral Edition. Select volumes enjoyup-to-date maps, and many are graced with freshly-written forewords contributedby a distinguished group of authors. Each book bears a facsimile of theauthor's signature and a previously-unpublished photograph, chosen from family archives for the period the book was written. These uniquefeatures will be appreciated by all, from seasoned Vance collector to new reader sampling the spectrum of this author's influential work forthe first time. - John Vance II