Araminta Station

This is one of Vance's best novels: the characterisation is superb, the plot gripping and the background detail engrossing and memorable. If you've enjoyed anything else by Jack Vance, you'll love this: if you haven't, this book will serve as a good introduction to his unique style of writing. If you like rigourously developed hard SF, then approach with caution: technical anamolies abound in this novel as in most of Vance's work - he has always been more interested in characters and situations than technology. What you will fund in this book is 500 odd pages of Vance's exquisite prose - Vance is a wordsmith comparable to, and clearly influenced by, the great P.G. Wodehouse. He can spend 50 pages describing an essentially trivial situation or interaction and have you hooked throughout, savouring the flow of words and imagery. If you like this book (and you will), you'll want to read the two sequels 'Ecce and Old Earth' and 'Throy', as this is one of Vance's most tightly integrated series - each actually follows on directly from the earlier book and even resolves outstanding cliffhangers (very unusual for a Vance series). Just be aware that, while very enjoyable, the sequels are nowhere near as good as this book.

I have lent copies of this book to several friends and relatives who thought that they didn't like science fiction. After they read it, they loved Vance. But this isn't anaemic half-hearted SF: SF fans love it too.Jack Vance is best known for being able to dash off an entire, bafflingly alien yet utterly logical, culture in a brief paragraph. He is also known for virtuoso use of vocabulary and for a lurid palette: a Vance description is often an interior-decorator's nightmare. If you want that sort of thing, read the 'Demon Princes' series. This Vance is different.In 'Araminta Station' Vance turns his skills to a much smaller canvas. He proves as masterly on Jane Austen's two inches of ivory as he has already proven in brightly-coloured novel series that span planets at least. The protagonist, Glawen Clattuc, grows up in a small community: the ranger station on a world set aside as a wildlife preserve. The dozen characters who influence his life are drawn with the deftest of touches as Vance displays a previously-unexpected subtlety of dialogue, the ability to write several characters who are all witty but in different styles.Vance uses less spectacular language in 'Araminta Station' than in his earlier books. His word choice is always perfect, but in this work he aims for a less striking effect, and proves to be as graceful a writer as you could ask for. Vance is always polished: in 'Araminta Station' he is smooth. Don't fear that this novel will be too placid and bland for your taste. Glawen faces and endures the loss and hardship which seem to befall so many of Vance's heroes, and overcomes them by the familiar level-headedness and determination. Eventually high stakes are revealed and desperate action becomes necessary, which Glawen carries off with all the elan we have come to expect. The difference is primarily that Glawen is the Vance hero whom you will feel that you know best, and whose friends and enemies you will feel that you know best.If you enjoy 'Araminta Station', I recommend the sequel: 'Ecce and Old Earth'. But don't race to buy the second sequel, 'Throy'. You may feel that the end of 'Ecce and Old Earth' is good enough. I found 'Throy' to be a bit of a disappointment.I also recommend Vance's 'Alastor' novels (not a series) 'Marune', 'Wyst', and 'Trullion' to anyone who finds that 'Araminta Station' is outstanding Vance.

This book is the first of trilogy which concerns a whole world devoted solely to a "conservancy" established to preserve the flora and fauna of the world Cadwal. The main characters are as intriguing as the subject matter, and the comings and goings of the most daring members of the families who enforce and enjoy the "Cadwal Charter" are vastly amusing. There is a little of everything in these books: science fiction, of course, but also, murder, mystery, romance, and many other things. I, myself, believe this book and the other two in the series to be the best books Jack Vance ever wrote.

This is a great novel. This is the first Jack Vance novel that I have ever read, yet already I think that he is one of my top 10-15 SF authors.Jack Vance is one of the old-timers (he's been around since the fifties), and he appears to have pefected his craf...I don't understand why he doesn't get the respect he deserves.This novel features, rich, rich dialogue, witty and entertaining. The plotting is a marvel, flowing and lifelike. Minor characters later turn out to be important...and other minor characters seem like they also could have become important.In many ways, this novel reminded me of the seminal SF master, Edgar Rice Burroughs (another seriously maligned character...I personally consider his writing to be great literature, comparable with Dickens, Scott and the rest). The prose has a certain old-fashioned, 19th century slant. Vance has a serious gift for names, placenames, and memorable aliens and planets.Vance's prose is totally fluid and engaging...this is the kind of novel that requires me to read it in one single sitting.Another sign of Vance's mastery is his perfect ability to craft the mood of the novel...on one hand, the first 1/2 of the book is pretty entertaining, even funny. There are numerous smiling points, and even a couple of parts that induce an out-loud chuckle. Vance definately can lull you into a sense of security, as the characters happily banter along, until suddenly WHAMMO! There is a brutal scene of violence, and one of the more likable major characters has died.In summary, this truly is a great novel, I recommend it to all. You won't be dissapointed.

Here is Jack Vance at his finest! "Araminta Station" is the start of an incredible trilogy, "The Cadwall Chronicles". Once again he has constructed a world and a society utterly alien, yet so believable that one could almost pack their bags for a trip there. Glawen Clattuc is the central character, a quiet, unassuming young man who finds himself thrown into the center of controversies not of his making, the outcome of which will dramatically shape the future of not only his society, but the very planet itself. He comes into conflict with the leader of the people who act as servants to the rest of the population but who plan a rebellion, and stumbles onto an obscure fact which could result in the end of Cadwall's society if it were widely known. Jack Vance is in top form, with his vibrant descriptions and vivid characterizations. One can visualize Cadwall, smell the sea air, and taste the wine. His voice is as sardonic as ever, with razor sharp wit and eloquent commentaries on people in general. If this trilogy doesn't make you a fan, nothing will!