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Reviews
Songs of the Dying Earth: Stories in Honor of Jack Vance by Gardner Dozois, George R.R. Martin
odustin's review against another edition
3.0
Ok got sucked into a Jack Vance tribute. About half are good and half not so much which seems to be par for books like this. Most did a good job of mimicking his writing style and getting to hear about how Vance influenced the different writers writing was cool. If you like Vance its worth checking out. Some neat continuations of some of his most interesting characters were written which was fun.
grimhand's review
4.0
Like most anthologies, especially themed ones where authors are asked to write a certain way, this book is a little uneven in quality. All of the stories are interesting but only a few really capture the Jack Vance style. Those few make the book worthwhile.
metaphorosis's review against another edition
4.0
I'm thrilled that so many good authors came together to honor one of my own favorite writers. It's an especially nice tribute as I read it after Vance's death this year.
Wisely, most of the authors here emulate Vance or make use of his world, but don't try to imitate him. Many acknowledge that it may not be possible to imitate him successfully (as those few who have tried have I think demonstrated). That last is also part of the problem with the anthology - it's Vancian, but it's not Vance. Good as they are, most of these writers are not as good as Vance - at least in doing what he did so well.
Still, the stories are fun and very readable, and it's entertaining to go through the Dying Earth from a slightly different angle, and to see the possible fate of some of that world's characters.
Unfortunately, the good writing and fun stories are slightly marred by poor copy-editing. There is a fair sprinkling of typos and some missed words that surprised me in an otherwise carefully put together book.
To my taste, the best stories were:
"The Copsy Door" by Terry Dowling
"Inescapable" by Mike Resnick (mostly for the plot, which ties back to the Dying Earth story that struck me most when I was young)
"The Traditions of Karzh" by Paula Volsky
"The Last Golden Thread" by Phyllis Eisenstein (one of the best in the book, and by an author who I wish would write more)
"The Good Magician by" Glen Cook (one of the stories that most captured the feel of a Vance story)
Wisely, most of the authors here emulate Vance or make use of his world, but don't try to imitate him. Many acknowledge that it may not be possible to imitate him successfully (as those few who have tried have I think demonstrated). That last is also part of the problem with the anthology - it's Vancian, but it's not Vance. Good as they are, most of these writers are not as good as Vance - at least in doing what he did so well.
Still, the stories are fun and very readable, and it's entertaining to go through the Dying Earth from a slightly different angle, and to see the possible fate of some of that world's characters.
Unfortunately, the good writing and fun stories are slightly marred by poor copy-editing. There is a fair sprinkling of typos and some missed words that surprised me in an otherwise carefully put together book.
To my taste, the best stories were:
"The Copsy Door" by Terry Dowling
"Inescapable" by Mike Resnick (mostly for the plot, which ties back to the Dying Earth story that struck me most when I was young)
"The Traditions of Karzh" by Paula Volsky
"The Last Golden Thread" by Phyllis Eisenstein (one of the best in the book, and by an author who I wish would write more)
"The Good Magician by" Glen Cook (one of the stories that most captured the feel of a Vance story)
diesmali's review against another edition
4.0
A thoroughly enjoyable collection of short stories, if you like Tales of the Dying Earth.
4/5 "The True Vintage of Erzuine Thale" by Robert Silverberg
3/5 "Grolion of Almery" by Matthew Hughes
4/5 "The Copsy Door" by Terry Dowling
3/5 "Caulk the Witch-Chaser" by Liz Williams
4/5 "Inescapable" by Mark Resnick
5/5 "Abrizonde" by Walter Jon Williams
4/5 "The Traditions of Karzh" by Paula Volsky
4/5 "The Final Quest of the Wizard Sarnod" by Jeff Vandermeer
3/5 "The Green Bird" by Kage Baker
5/5 "The Last Golden Thread" by Phyllis Eisenstein
4/5 "An Incident at Uskvosk" by Elizabeth Moon
4/5 "Sylgarmo's Proclamation" by Lucius Shepard
5/5 "The Lamentably Comical Tragedy (or The Laughably Tragic Comedy) of Lixal Laqavee" by Tad Williams
4/5 "Guyal the Curator" by John C. Wright
3/5 "The Good Magician" by Glen Cook
3/5 "The Return of the Fire Witch" by Elizabeth Hand
4/5 "The Collegeum of Mauge" by Byron Tetrick
5/5 "Evillo the Uncunning" by Tanith Lee
5/5 "The Guiding Nose of Ulfänt Banderoz" by Dan Simmons
2/5 "Frogskin Cap" by Howard Waldrop
4/5 "A Night at the Tarn House" by George RR Martin
3/5 "An Invocation of Incuriosity" by Neil Gaiman
4/5 "The True Vintage of Erzuine Thale" by Robert Silverberg
3/5 "Grolion of Almery" by Matthew Hughes
4/5 "The Copsy Door" by Terry Dowling
3/5 "Caulk the Witch-Chaser" by Liz Williams
4/5 "Inescapable" by Mark Resnick
5/5 "Abrizonde" by Walter Jon Williams
4/5 "The Traditions of Karzh" by Paula Volsky
4/5 "The Final Quest of the Wizard Sarnod" by Jeff Vandermeer
3/5 "The Green Bird" by Kage Baker
5/5 "The Last Golden Thread" by Phyllis Eisenstein
4/5 "An Incident at Uskvosk" by Elizabeth Moon
4/5 "Sylgarmo's Proclamation" by Lucius Shepard
5/5 "The Lamentably Comical Tragedy (or The Laughably Tragic Comedy) of Lixal Laqavee" by Tad Williams
4/5 "Guyal the Curator" by John C. Wright
3/5 "The Good Magician" by Glen Cook
3/5 "The Return of the Fire Witch" by Elizabeth Hand
4/5 "The Collegeum of Mauge" by Byron Tetrick
5/5 "Evillo the Uncunning" by Tanith Lee
5/5 "The Guiding Nose of Ulfänt Banderoz" by Dan Simmons
2/5 "Frogskin Cap" by Howard Waldrop
4/5 "A Night at the Tarn House" by George RR Martin
3/5 "An Invocation of Incuriosity" by Neil Gaiman
arthurbdd's review against another edition
4.0
A tribute project like this cannot help but have the side effect of exposing just how short of Vance's greatness some of his imitators fall, but despite being hit-and-miss it's on the whole a worthy collection whose best tales make up for the shortcomings of the lesser efforts. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/2010/09/08/the-apprentices-perform-for-their-master/
luana420's review
5.0
The tribute anthology is a genre I have very little experience with, but I feel like this is a particularly high bar for any future entries to reach. Almost every author in this hefty collection (almost as big as the entirety of Jack Vance's Dying Earth oeuvre) is at what I assume must be the top of their game.
Unsurprisingly, I greatly enjoyed GRRM's "Night at the Tarn House," but I was equally impressed by Dan Simmons' "Guiding Nose of Ulfant Banderoz" -- probably the highlight of the book in length as well as scope.
The stories can be divided in roughly three types:
1) prequels/sequels to Vance stories: "Grolion of Almery", "Inescapable"
2) I wanna do a Cugel: "The Green Bird", "The Collegeum of Mauge"
3) the Dying Earth is just vibez man: "True Vintage of Erzuin Thale", "Tarn House"
Special shout-out to Phyllis Eisenstein's "The Last Golden Thread," a surprisingly heart-felt and sincere entry about a young boy wanting to become a wizard who gets semi-adopted by Turjan of Miir and his wife T'Sain. Free of (most of) the petty venality that usually permeates the Dying Earth, Golden Thread felt like an oasis of emotional vulnerability in a series, uh, not quite known for it. Very nice and sweet, which is something you won't hear me say about Dying Earth very quickly.
In any case, this anthology is so good, I daresay if your interest in the series is only passing, you could do worse than only read Vance's original collection and then this one to read some real good takes on the world.
Unsurprisingly, I greatly enjoyed GRRM's "Night at the Tarn House," but I was equally impressed by Dan Simmons' "Guiding Nose of Ulfant Banderoz" -- probably the highlight of the book in length as well as scope.
The stories can be divided in roughly three types:
1) prequels/sequels to Vance stories: "Grolion of Almery", "Inescapable"
2) I wanna do a Cugel: "The Green Bird", "The Collegeum of Mauge"
3) the Dying Earth is just vibez man: "True Vintage of Erzuin Thale", "Tarn House"
Special shout-out to Phyllis Eisenstein's "The Last Golden Thread," a surprisingly heart-felt and sincere entry about a young boy wanting to become a wizard who gets semi-adopted by Turjan of Miir and his wife T'Sain. Free of (most of) the petty venality that usually permeates the Dying Earth, Golden Thread felt like an oasis of emotional vulnerability in a series, uh, not quite known for it. Very nice and sweet, which is something you won't hear me say about Dying Earth very quickly.
In any case, this anthology is so good, I daresay if your interest in the series is only passing, you could do worse than only read Vance's original collection and then this one to read some real good takes on the world.
gguerra8225's review against another edition
3.0
Great premise, but decided I don't like "Magic-based" sci fi.
seak's review against another edition
5.0
Songs of the Dying Earth kind of popped up at my door one day and to be honest I never really had any interest. I adore (and yes, adore is a most fitting word) George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, but I can't say I was at all positive about this anthology. It's pretty much just fan fiction right? Why would anyone pay good money for this?
Not only that, but it's a tribute to an author I've never read. Yes, I have debated picking up Tales of the Dying Earth at one point or another. Yes, I realize I'm criminally under-read if I haven't read Jack Vance. But then again, I have plenty on my plate, why start with a tribute to an author I've never read?
Well, for some reason, and against all better judgment, I found myself picking Songs of the Dying Earth up. One short story won't hurt right? Plus, there are some pretty dang good authors attached to this endeavor.
One story turned to another, and now I'm well on my way to completing this tribute to Jack Vance...one more time...an author I've never read.
And...
Songs of the Dying Earth is easily the best anthology I've ever read and I'm not even done yet. That's how excited I am about this anthology - I'm posting this review at a little over the halfway point (although I usually do like to post anthology reviews in parts anyway to make sure I don't forget earlier stories).
I almost decided to wait until I read Vance's original work before starting Songs, but I decided I wanted to give a clear perspective from someone who's not already a fan. I'm so glad I haven't waited.
The True Vintage of Erzuine Thale by Robert Silverberg (5/5) - A character who reminded me a lot of Kruppe from the Malazan Book of the Fallen owns a rare wine that is being saved for a very special occasion. Today might be that day, but not for the original reasons. Silverberg starts this anthology off with a bang. What a great story that also introduces some of the surprises this world holds.
Grolion of Almery by Matthew Hughes (5/5) - I thought this was even better than the first story even though both were amazing. This story broadens the implications of the world of the Dying Earth and I've become that much more addicted to it. An unwary traveller is trapped with only one option of escape, cooperation.
The Copsy Door by Terry Dowling (5/5) A contest of wizards ensues involving Amberlin the Lesser whose spells don't quite go as planned.
Caulk the Witch-Chaser by Liz Williams (3/5) Not bad, but doesn't have the same charm as the former three. It lacks those witty/odd characters and descriptions that I've already grown to expect.
Inescapable by Mike Resnik (4/5) An enjoyable story, yet again reminding us that not everything is always as it seems in the Dying Earth.
Abrizonde by Walter Jon Williams (5/5) I really loved this story about a man who gets caught in a war of nations, none of which he belongs to, and decides to get involved. Given the indifference the leaders have to his predicament, getting involved is a good idea.
The Traditions of Karzh by Paula Volsky (5/5) The heir to Karzh has never really had the need to apply himself...until he is poisoned (by his uncle) and forced to unlock the cure or die. The ending was very surprising and also quite satisfying.
The Final Quest of the Wizard Sarnod by Jeff Vandermeer (4/5) I really enjoyed the characters in this one, but didn't love the ending. It also lacked, somewhat, that charm I mentioned earlier.
The Green Bird by Kage Baker (5/5) Probably my favorite so far in this excellent collection. It's witty, interesting, and surprising. The idea of not only a giant pit that people are thrown into is great, but to add to that a colony of survivors developing at the bottom of this pit and I was sold. Cugel the Clever earns his name in this one.
The Last Golden Thread by Phyllis Eisenstein (3.5/5) Another good, but not great story. It was interesting, involved some things (and species) I'm becoming familiar with, but I didn't love it or especially the ending.
An Incident at Uskvosk by Elizabeth Moon (4/5) This was an enjoyable story about a race of Giant Cockroaches and a young man falsely accused.
Sylgarmo's Proclamation by Lucius Shepard (4/5) Shepard has a unique way with metaphors that really gelled with me. I really liked the characters in this interesting tale that revolves around getting revenge on Cugel the Clever.
The Lamentably Comical Tragedy (or The Laughably Tragic Comedy) of Lixal Laqavee by Tad Williams (4/5) This story does everything the title suggests, but I think I still wanted a bit more. A presumptuous miscreant forces a wizard to "sell" him a few spells. This reminds me of the part in The Dark Knight where the accountant tries to extort Batman.
"Let me get this straight: You think that your client, one of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the world, is secretly a vigilante who spends his nights beating criminals to a pulp with his bare hands. And your plan is to blackmail this person? Good luck."
Guyal the Curator by John C. Wright (4/5) This was a surprisingly good tale about a man with a case of amnesia and the last Effectuator, Manxolio Quinc, who uses his effectuating skills to find this man's identity. Many of the words used in this tale made me very glad I've read Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series almost in preparation.
The Good Magician by Glen Cook (3.5/5) A lazy, self-centered man stumbles across something that should not be in his persuit of something he should not be persuing...at least not in the way he was doing it. I liked Cook's style and humor, but the story wasn't my favorite.
The Return of the Fire Witch by Elizabeth Hand (3/5) Another I wasn't a huge fan of. Saloona Morn is all but forced by the fire witch to participate in her plan for revenge. There were some surprises, but overall the story wasn't extremely interesting.
The Collegeum of Mauge by Byron Tetrick (5/5) This is another favorite in a The Name of the Wind sort of way. Drogo gets into a school for wizards, interrupting his search for his father.
Evillo the Uncunning by Tanith Lee (4.5/5) The self-named Evillo, encouraged by tales of Cugel, takes off on an adventure and picks up a magical talking snail. This was one of the more hilarious tales in the anthology. One great quote right at the beginning:
"...life is ever valuable and must be preserved - so that it may also be punished for the insolence of persisting."
The Guiding Nose of Ulfant Banderoz by Dan Simmons (4.5/5) The longest story of the bunch (almost 70 pages), the first half is easily 5 stars, but my interest began to wane in the middle and then it picks up again. Still a great story about wizards and warriors, powerful demons (one that took centuries to tame), and a trip across the dying world.
Also, this has one of the best illustrations of the book, including a look at each of the different characters.
Frogskin Cap by Howard Waldrop (2.5 to 3/5) I wasn't too impressed with this story. There really wasn't much to it, but it makes up in it's length (about 9 pages).
A Night at the Tarn House by George R R Martin (5/5) This read like a breeze, of course. The atmosphere was dark, yet playful and really captured the essence of the entire anthology. Some unlucky (and not so unlucky) characters find out that the Tarn House may not in fact be better than braving the terrors in the night - despite the wearies of travel.
An Invocation of Curiosity by Neil Gaiman (5/5) The perfect conclusion to the collection. Gaiman looks at what happens when it's all over and takes this premise in a really unexpected way.
Wow, I'm actually done. The best part is - no more updates!
Not only that, but it's a tribute to an author I've never read. Yes, I have debated picking up Tales of the Dying Earth at one point or another. Yes, I realize I'm criminally under-read if I haven't read Jack Vance. But then again, I have plenty on my plate, why start with a tribute to an author I've never read?
Well, for some reason, and against all better judgment, I found myself picking Songs of the Dying Earth up. One short story won't hurt right? Plus, there are some pretty dang good authors attached to this endeavor.
One story turned to another, and now I'm well on my way to completing this tribute to Jack Vance...one more time...an author I've never read.
And...
Songs of the Dying Earth is easily the best anthology I've ever read and I'm not even done yet. That's how excited I am about this anthology - I'm posting this review at a little over the halfway point (although I usually do like to post anthology reviews in parts anyway to make sure I don't forget earlier stories).
I almost decided to wait until I read Vance's original work before starting Songs, but I decided I wanted to give a clear perspective from someone who's not already a fan. I'm so glad I haven't waited.
The True Vintage of Erzuine Thale by Robert Silverberg (5/5) - A character who reminded me a lot of Kruppe from the Malazan Book of the Fallen owns a rare wine that is being saved for a very special occasion. Today might be that day, but not for the original reasons. Silverberg starts this anthology off with a bang. What a great story that also introduces some of the surprises this world holds.
Grolion of Almery by Matthew Hughes (5/5) - I thought this was even better than the first story even though both were amazing. This story broadens the implications of the world of the Dying Earth and I've become that much more addicted to it. An unwary traveller is trapped with only one option of escape, cooperation.
The Copsy Door by Terry Dowling (5/5) A contest of wizards ensues involving Amberlin the Lesser whose spells don't quite go as planned.
Caulk the Witch-Chaser by Liz Williams (3/5) Not bad, but doesn't have the same charm as the former three. It lacks those witty/odd characters and descriptions that I've already grown to expect.
Inescapable by Mike Resnik (4/5) An enjoyable story, yet again reminding us that not everything is always as it seems in the Dying Earth.
Abrizonde by Walter Jon Williams (5/5) I really loved this story about a man who gets caught in a war of nations, none of which he belongs to, and decides to get involved. Given the indifference the leaders have to his predicament, getting involved is a good idea.
The Traditions of Karzh by Paula Volsky (5/5) The heir to Karzh has never really had the need to apply himself...until he is poisoned (by his uncle) and forced to unlock the cure or die. The ending was very surprising and also quite satisfying.
The Final Quest of the Wizard Sarnod by Jeff Vandermeer (4/5) I really enjoyed the characters in this one, but didn't love the ending. It also lacked, somewhat, that charm I mentioned earlier.
The Green Bird by Kage Baker (5/5) Probably my favorite so far in this excellent collection. It's witty, interesting, and surprising. The idea of not only a giant pit that people are thrown into is great, but to add to that a colony of survivors developing at the bottom of this pit and I was sold. Cugel the Clever earns his name in this one.
The Last Golden Thread by Phyllis Eisenstein (3.5/5) Another good, but not great story. It was interesting, involved some things (and species) I'm becoming familiar with, but I didn't love it or especially the ending.
An Incident at Uskvosk by Elizabeth Moon (4/5) This was an enjoyable story about a race of Giant Cockroaches and a young man falsely accused.
Sylgarmo's Proclamation by Lucius Shepard (4/5) Shepard has a unique way with metaphors that really gelled with me. I really liked the characters in this interesting tale that revolves around getting revenge on Cugel the Clever.
The Lamentably Comical Tragedy (or The Laughably Tragic Comedy) of Lixal Laqavee by Tad Williams (4/5) This story does everything the title suggests, but I think I still wanted a bit more. A presumptuous miscreant forces a wizard to "sell" him a few spells. This reminds me of the part in The Dark Knight where the accountant tries to extort Batman.
"Let me get this straight: You think that your client, one of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the world, is secretly a vigilante who spends his nights beating criminals to a pulp with his bare hands. And your plan is to blackmail this person? Good luck."
Guyal the Curator by John C. Wright (4/5) This was a surprisingly good tale about a man with a case of amnesia and the last Effectuator, Manxolio Quinc, who uses his effectuating skills to find this man's identity. Many of the words used in this tale made me very glad I've read Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series almost in preparation.
The Good Magician by Glen Cook (3.5/5) A lazy, self-centered man stumbles across something that should not be in his persuit of something he should not be persuing...at least not in the way he was doing it. I liked Cook's style and humor, but the story wasn't my favorite.
The Return of the Fire Witch by Elizabeth Hand (3/5) Another I wasn't a huge fan of. Saloona Morn is all but forced by the fire witch to participate in her plan for revenge. There were some surprises, but overall the story wasn't extremely interesting.
The Collegeum of Mauge by Byron Tetrick (5/5) This is another favorite in a The Name of the Wind sort of way. Drogo gets into a school for wizards, interrupting his search for his father.
Evillo the Uncunning by Tanith Lee (4.5/5) The self-named Evillo, encouraged by tales of Cugel, takes off on an adventure and picks up a magical talking snail. This was one of the more hilarious tales in the anthology. One great quote right at the beginning:
"...life is ever valuable and must be preserved - so that it may also be punished for the insolence of persisting."
The Guiding Nose of Ulfant Banderoz by Dan Simmons (4.5/5) The longest story of the bunch (almost 70 pages), the first half is easily 5 stars, but my interest began to wane in the middle and then it picks up again. Still a great story about wizards and warriors, powerful demons (one that took centuries to tame), and a trip across the dying world.
Also, this has one of the best illustrations of the book, including a look at each of the different characters.
Frogskin Cap by Howard Waldrop (2.5 to 3/5) I wasn't too impressed with this story. There really wasn't much to it, but it makes up in it's length (about 9 pages).
A Night at the Tarn House by George R R Martin (5/5) This read like a breeze, of course. The atmosphere was dark, yet playful and really captured the essence of the entire anthology. Some unlucky (and not so unlucky) characters find out that the Tarn House may not in fact be better than braving the terrors in the night - despite the wearies of travel.
An Invocation of Curiosity by Neil Gaiman (5/5) The perfect conclusion to the collection. Gaiman looks at what happens when it's all over and takes this premise in a really unexpected way.
Wow, I'm actually done. The best part is - no more updates!
adamjcalhoun's review against another edition
2.0
Okay, I give up on this book. There are too many mediocre stories trying to hard to be like Vance. The occasional story will get it right and it will be pretty decent - but often when I read those I will wonder, why aren't I just reading Vance?
In the end, it is the fact that there is too much chaff among the wheat that pulls the book down. If it was narrowed down, it at least would be worth reading - and sometimes it is! - but I couldn't recommend buying this even to a hardcore Vance fan. Vance is too particular a stylist to be copied without falling into parody, and reading an accidental parody is about the worst thing in the world, right?
In the end, it is the fact that there is too much chaff among the wheat that pulls the book down. If it was narrowed down, it at least would be worth reading - and sometimes it is! - but I couldn't recommend buying this even to a hardcore Vance fan. Vance is too particular a stylist to be copied without falling into parody, and reading an accidental parody is about the worst thing in the world, right?