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mc_j_ho's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent work. Foremost, this is a tale of human spirit prevailing against despair. One of Vance's greatest works.
officerdean's review against another edition
5.0
This book was my first by Jack Vance and I was pleasantly surprised. I know they say don't judge a book by its cover but this cover kept turning me off and I kept bypassing it on my shelf for something else. I'm glad I finally picked it up because I could not put it down.
I found Ambroy to be the perfect metaphor for the United States. Ambroy was controlled by a bureaucracy that had run efficiently for a thousands of years. The citizens of Ambroy believed the Lords to be in charge, but they were just as much victims as the citizens, even though they managed to maintain a better quality of life. The people in control taxed the citizens on the goods they produced a minimal 1.18%, but there was no free market and the people in control engaged in price setting and payment in vouchers. Welfare agents were employed by the bureaucracy to monitor the goods people produced to make sure all goods were original and nothing was being reproduced. All originals were handed over to be sold. This way no one was allowed to become financially independent. Welfare benefits were also given by the bureaucracy to people who were "cooperative." If you did not want to be "cooperative" you did not receive benefits and were known as a "non-cup."
For me this was a clear metaphor for the US Federal Reserve and their complete control over people's lives. They make currency, tell you what it's worth, and tell you you have to use it. They control the supply and the inflation. Granted the US has a slightly more free market than Ambroy, but just like in Ambroy the system is highly controlled and true financial independence is a dream and illusion, unless you're Ghyl Tarvoke.
I found Ambroy to be the perfect metaphor for the United States. Ambroy was controlled by a bureaucracy that had run efficiently for a thousands of years. The citizens of Ambroy believed the Lords to be in charge, but they were just as much victims as the citizens, even though they managed to maintain a better quality of life. The people in control taxed the citizens on the goods they produced a minimal 1.18%, but there was no free market and the people in control engaged in price setting and payment in vouchers. Welfare agents were employed by the bureaucracy to monitor the goods people produced to make sure all goods were original and nothing was being reproduced. All originals were handed over to be sold. This way no one was allowed to become financially independent. Welfare benefits were also given by the bureaucracy to people who were "cooperative." If you did not want to be "cooperative" you did not receive benefits and were known as a "non-cup."
For me this was a clear metaphor for the US Federal Reserve and their complete control over people's lives. They make currency, tell you what it's worth, and tell you you have to use it. They control the supply and the inflation. Granted the US has a slightly more free market than Ambroy, but just like in Ambroy the system is highly controlled and true financial independence is a dream and illusion, unless you're Ghyl Tarvoke.
choomsky's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
pureliquidevil's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
vbroes's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
danburn's review against another edition
3.0
I've like Jack Vance's weird blend of fantasy and science fiction since I was a teenager. He presents cultures and worlds with this air of stagnation and byzantine flamboyance that is unlike any othe writer. Emphyrio is a perfect example of this - it's a science fiction, but set in a strictly controlled medieval world where every person is required to follow their parents' career path, and respect the strict control of the Welfare Agency. As such, it feels more like fantasy than science fiction, probably deliberately so.
The protagonist, Ghyl Tarvoke, is a carver who dreams of great things - mainly, freedom and financial independence, and he stands up to the Lords and Ladies of his world to fight for it, with a range of unexpected consequences. As the story unfolds, it turns into a space opera, with Ghyl uncovering the mysteries of his home world. It's an interesting take on a possible future, emphasizing the diversity of governments and societies that are likely to evolve is we ever manage to get off Earth and spread ourselves across the galaxy.
The protagonist, Ghyl Tarvoke, is a carver who dreams of great things - mainly, freedom and financial independence, and he stands up to the Lords and Ladies of his world to fight for it, with a range of unexpected consequences. As the story unfolds, it turns into a space opera, with Ghyl uncovering the mysteries of his home world. It's an interesting take on a possible future, emphasizing the diversity of governments and societies that are likely to evolve is we ever manage to get off Earth and spread ourselves across the galaxy.
crowfood's review against another edition
4.0
“Dream? Act? Which is illusion? Fortinone is old.
Billions of folk have come and gone, pale fish in an ocean of time.
They rise into the sunlit shallows; they glitter a moment or two;
they drift away through the murk.”
Billions of folk have come and gone, pale fish in an ocean of time.
They rise into the sunlit shallows; they glitter a moment or two;
they drift away through the murk.”
bakudreamer's review against another edition
2.0
Gaiman said this was the Vance novel he liked best. There's hints of Star Wars coming from here ( including ' Star Wars ' ... ) and a hint of H2HG in ' Rolver's Directory ' ~
eldritchscholar's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
minna_ekman's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0