Wankh: Ischai II

This is the second volume in The Planet of Adventure series, and finds Adam Reith, Traz and Anacho accompanying Ylin Ylan, the lovely Flower of Cath, on her journey home. There, despite a deteriorating relationship with the young woman, Reith hopes to convince her father to help him acquire or build a space ship. They proceed almost haphazardly across Tschai's continents drawing closer to Cath, but not without incident.A faltering floater carries them on to where they can seek sea voyage. And then, with the irritating addition of Dordolio, one of Ylin Ylan's countrymen, they set sail across the Draschade Ocean. The voyage contains both discoveries and tragedies, leaving a wiser Adam Reith to navigate the complexities of Cath society. Since this is only the second volume, I think it does no harm to admit that getting passage off planet remains out of reach.But, amid the intrigue of Cath, Reith encounters Zarfo Detwiler, a man who finds the challenges of getting the party to the shipyards of the Wankh just his cup of tea. The Wankh are the latest invaders of Tschai, and have minimal contact with the world about them other than through their servitors, the Wankhmen. Once again, Reith's problem solving approach creates the maximum disturbance in what were previously orderly societies. One has to wonder if Tschai will survive Reith's return home.My raving about Vance's write is probably becoming tedious to the reader's of my recent reviews. Suffice it to say, he was one of the truly great writers of science fiction and had far reaching influence is surprising corners. These stories are as fresh as they were 30 years ago and will no doubt remain popular when we return to the Stone Age and have to chisel them into walls. Please take the trouble to try a volume; you will no doubt be a fan forever.