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A review by morganquaid
Cugel Saga by Jack Vance
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.
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.