Reviews

Cugel's Saga by Jack Vance

sisteray's review against another edition

4.0

In this second Cugel book the edges of everything have been polished off a bit. That is both good and bad. Cugel is far more enjoyable and less of a villain, but the world itself is far less extreme as in the first quest south. There are still many crazy things that happen and as usual one has to awe at Vance's bizarre imagination, but even this is toned down a bit. This book is fare more about Cugel's various indentured servitudes and him trying to scrape a buck or two. Still, the rewards that you get here you just flat-out aren't going to get with any other author.

lazylarry's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.25

crowfood's review against another edition

4.0

While in the previous novel Cugel's lack of empathy and his focus on self-interest were off-putting, this time we see it is indeed those qualities that keep him alive in a world without mercy.

It was a pleasure watching Cugel always manage to land on his feet despite repeated hardships, most or all of which he brought upon himself.

btony's review against another edition

5.0

Actually funny
Lots of strange places and people
The story follows a repeating formula but its fun so I do not care
Cugel is not a deep character but he is fun so I do not care
Lacks the atmosphere of the first book but its strange enough
I really really like this book

metaphorosis's review against another edition

5.0

reviews.metaphorosis.com

Cugel: the Skybreak Spatterlight
Jack Vance
Dying Earth, #3
5 stars

This is Vance at his classic best. The dastardly Cugel once again must fight his way back across the Dying Earth, over hostile regions, past weird and unnatural creatures, and, worst of all, through the endless shades of human culture and habit. Vance is at his literary best, with beautiful, original language sketching characters and actions from base to idealistic, with the would-be urbane Cugel taking it all in stride. Yet, however he schemes, whomever he cheats, he always seems to come off worst. What's a bombastic rogue to do?

Work, mostly - through situations bizarre and farcical, abd usually of his own making. This book is one of the treasures of fantastic writing, and one of the best parts of the Dying Earth sequence. It's far more entertaining than Mazirian and his stuffy magicians, and just as caring as "Guyal of Sfere", if in an unusual, off-kilter way.

Structurally, the story is simple - Cugel gets in trouble, gets out of trouble, gets out of trouble again. And there are a couple of places where an edit would have made for a smoother transition between chapters. But those are minor caveats in what is simply one of SFF's great masterpieces.

If you haven't read Vance before, this is a great place to start, though the story starts in the predecessor volume Cugel the Clever, which is just as much fun. If you have read Vance, and you somehow haven't read this book, buy it right now! In fact, whoever you are, buy this now. Even if you somehow manage to hate it, it's a classic. And most of you will like it a lot.

CVIE VI

diesmali's review against another edition

4.0

This book, and the previous one, should absolutely be read as a string of short stories. Cugel is a great character, always trying to bluff and scheme his way through trouble, and, when not yet in trouble, through to a high level of expensive comfort. But, though he is not named The Clever for naught, neither is he the only clever character around, and he never escapes his happenstances with more than enough momentum so see him safely through the other side, just barely. At the end, a new encounter with Iucouno awaits... can he prevail this time?

Highly imaginative and funny!

morganquaid's review against another edition

5.0

I confess, it took a good thirty minutes before my brain suitably reorganized itself sufficiently to really get into Cugal’s Saga. The language Vance uses in his Songs of the Dying Earth series is exquisitely archaic and the fable-like texture to the series gives each book a wonderful, fantastical quality.

The Character of Cugal is simply priceless; a lovable rogue that the reader can’t help but empathize with, despite his many indiscretions. The consummate salesman, Cugal speaks with flowery words of little substance, managing to sway the actions of others just long enough to dig himself a suitable hole in which to fall headlong. There is a circular quality to Cugal’s adventures (enter the scene - find a way to swindle the host – swindle – get caught out – leave with nothing – rinse and repeat) which gives the book it’s strong fable-like quality and makes the Cugal character even more endearing. Time and time again he repeats the same mistakes, but there is also a hint of broader, cosmic events at play; as though the fates themselves have chosen to visit endless calamity upon poor Cugal (not unlike Job of the Bible).

To me the most appealing aspect of the book are the many fantastical ideas that are hinted at, but never fully explored. They serve to furnish the Cugal story with a rich backdrop and fire the imagination.

vaderbird's review against another edition

3.0

5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish

t_yler's review against another edition

4.0

really good

farilian's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5