Reviews

The Eyes of the Overworld by Jack Vance

ibrow's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I read this as a teenager (and the rest of the Dying Earth quartet) and now reread in my late thirties. Even as a teen I realized Cugel was sort of problematic as a character, but reading now as an adult, I found him unbearable to the point that I couldn't even enjoy the worldbuilding or fun of the adventure and setting. It's okay to have an anti-hero, but it's hard to enjoy a book where the protagonist is so purely self-centered and immoral with no redeeming qualities.

While I still thought the original Dying Earth book (the collection of six short stories) was excellent, I don't know if I can bring myself to read through the rest of the Cugel trilogy when I dislike Cugel so much.

mikepalumbo's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

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

3.0

tpalmi's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

azm0's review against another edition

2.0

I’m not sure if I was expecting well-developed characters or good writing, but I didn’t get either. This felt like, and is, a collection of short stories tied together with an interesting take on how magic might be manifest in a fantasy realm. For the impact that his work had on the famous game by Gygax and Arneson, Vance definitely gets credit, and I did enjoy that mechanic of his work. Another item of interest is that this was released prior to LOTR, so it was nice to have a fantasy land devoid of the typical elves, dwarves, and orcs. I don’t feel it’s enough to save the book, however, and I don’t understand all the high marks it gets. Maybe Vance gets better, and I certainly have enough of his work to find that out. Please tell me, does Vance get better???

akirathelemur's review against another edition

5.0

Absolutely wonderful book. Hallucinatory writing. A cheerfully amoral narrative. One of the more compelling settings in speculative fiction. But man, Cugel is just a straight up fucking psychopath, isn't he? Not exactly an antagonist to root for. Still, a hell of an entertaining read.

farilian's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious medium-paced

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

4.75

pryme's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

seventhson's review against another edition

4.0

Probably the best of the Dying Earth series, Cugel the Clever is the man you hate to love. One of the better anti-heroes, he proves time and time again that too much is never enough, and spends most of his time takin advantage of others or being taken advantage of.

therewithal's review against another edition

3.0

Like with the first Dying Earth book, I love the imagination and worldbuilding and use of language, but the antiquated sexism spoils it. Also, Cugel was an utter sociopath (rapist, traitor, murderer with no redeeming qualities) and I couldn't stand him, even if that was the point.

seano's review against another edition

4.0

Jack Vance was the last great Golden Age Sci-Fi author. He writes a fun story with lots of great images. He's got some of the best and precise vocabulary I've ever read.

This was my first novel of his and I think he's right up there with Asimov and Heinlein.