Reviews

The House on Lily Street by John Holbrook Vance, Jack Vance

metaphorosis's review against another edition

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3.0

Vance is better at science fiction than he is at detective novels. SF allows more scope for his amazing use of language, and for description of the weird and strange. Despite that, in The House on Lily Street, Vance applies his skill to observation of ordinary humans. The result is highly credible and immersive study of human nature in all its foolishness and venality.

Structurally, the book works less well. After a gradual but intriguing setup, the last third of the book suddenly steps into higher gear as a chase and duel. The time frame shifts constantly and without good reason. It's not hard to follow, but it made me think that Vance just didn't spend much time editing; it feels more like a good draft than a polished novel.

All in all, readable, but only recommended for Vance completists.

CVIE vol IV

jameseckman's review

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3.0

I am a big fan of Jack Vance's science fiction and fantasy and I acquired a double volume of his mysteries via inter-library loan that are a portion of the Vance Integral Editions (VIE). I'm not a big mystery fan and when I read them, it's generally the hard-boiled variety like the writings of Hammet and Chandler. This is a puzzle box mystery with a slice of life mid-50's Oakland thrown in, not bad for its type, just not my normal cup of tea. The chief villain is most interesting and in the spoiler I will compare them with another character from Vance's SF.


Paul Gunther very much reminds me of the Demon Princes, he has a book that he has written with his creed, he thinks he's the only person in existence and is an obvious psychopath. He's totally amoral, thinking only of himself, executes criminal schemes in a calculated manner and when interfered with has no problem with using deadly force. Since this was published before the Demon Princes, this may be the prototype. You don't know that he's the villain until half way through but his disturbing personality shows up much earlier.