btony's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 if i could give half stars
Cool setting
Steeped in myth and decay
Cool setting
Steeped in myth and decay
emsir's review against another edition
The style of Vance's writing was unexpected- dialogue was simple/to the point/loud(?) and therefore somewhat comical, and the brevity of the stories surprised me since fantasy/scifi authors tend to take their time. It definitely works, though some of the stories are more memorable than others.
valuxiea's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the Post Apocalypse Fairytale vibe of this story. Honestly I can see why it was super influential, and I'm interested in reading more from this Setting, but maybe not more from this author. I mean, I'm sure it was forward thinking for 1950, but it felt very dated in many ways. I might pick up the collection of short stories written by others in the Dying Earth Setting. But mostly I'm glad I read it, it's nice to know the history of Fantasy, and its contributions to D&D. Most of all, thank you to Vance for the lending of his name to Vecna, the greatest of all D&D Villains.
diesmali's review against another edition
3.0
As far as short stories go, these were really interesting. I'm looking forward to getting more from this world in the short novel that comes next.
akemi_666's review against another edition
4.0
I love this so so much; its chaotic exuberance, its devilishly cruel, silly and earnest characters, its fanciful subversions on solemnity and egoism.
This is everything fantasy should be; an open field for violent and beautiful whimsy, where prejudices rupture, bodies fold and roll apart, and the absurd becomings of desire collide revealing the comic infinitude of life.
I wish for no more Tolkien-esque grand narratives of pastoral nationalism and Volkish renewal. I want chaos for the rest of my life. I want the joy of becoming with no possibility of return.
This is everything fantasy should be; an open field for violent and beautiful whimsy, where prejudices rupture, bodies fold and roll apart, and the absurd becomings of desire collide revealing the comic infinitude of life.
I wish for no more Tolkien-esque grand narratives of pastoral nationalism and Volkish renewal. I want chaos for the rest of my life. I want the joy of becoming with no possibility of return.
bookaneer's review against another edition
2.0
So. This is pre-Tolkien era. Pretty way back from my usual fantasy novels. I want to read this because I want to read [b:Songs of the Dying Earth: Stories in Honour of Jack Vance|3689171|Songs of the Dying Earth Stories in Honour of Jack Vance|George R.R. Martin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327954568s/3689171.jpg|3732607]. I did remember a story from Martin's [b:Dreamsongs Volume I|417729|Dreamsongs Volume I (Dreamsongs, #1)|George R.R. Martin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1433123319s/417729.jpg|2854236], namely The Lonely Songs of Laren Dorr which is definitely very Vance-y.
However, after reading this, I changed my mind. Man, this world is way too weird for me. I could barely grasp 50% of the magic and landscape description. Check this out: "When he ventures further into the Museum, the power of Earth dissolves the Jeldred mode (I have no idea who Jeldred is/what); then may I spray him with prismatic (hmm) fervor (hmm?) from the potentium (what?)."
Moreover, I know this was published in 1950 but must all guys here are a bunch of horndogs who could not keep their **** down when they see something with vaginas? I was really annoyed.
Well ok I did enjoy two stories so it saved the book from being a resident in my 1-star shelf.
This is obviously very subjective. I know many people especially in the group I am reading it with really love it. But it is just not for me.
However, after reading this, I changed my mind. Man, this world is way too weird for me. I could barely grasp 50% of the magic and landscape description. Check this out: "When he ventures further into the Museum, the power of Earth dissolves the Jeldred mode (I have no idea who Jeldred is/what); then may I spray him with prismatic (hmm) fervor (hmm?) from the potentium (what?)."
Moreover, I know this was published in 1950 but must all guys here are a bunch of horndogs who could not keep their **** down when they see something with vaginas? I was really annoyed.
Well ok I did enjoy two stories so it saved the book from being a resident in my 1-star shelf.
This is obviously very subjective. I know many people especially in the group I am reading it with really love it. But it is just not for me.
luana420's review against another edition
5.0
The version I read was called Mazirian the Magician (which apparently is also the author’s preferred title). Which is kinda weird cuz he’s just the stoogey protagonist of one of the short stories featured herein. I mean I do think “The Dying Earth” is a lot better of a title since all the stories are suffused with the desperation of the denizens of a world in its last shuddering gasps. The world Vance creates is so crazy and theatrical it actually made laugh at just how wild shit would occasionally get (the finale of “Ulan Dhor Ends A Dream” seems like Akira mixed with a Futurama episode). It’s also theatrical in a more intimate way: characters meet each other on the way like they wander on a stage and play out their scenes; T’Sais meeting Liane the Wayfarer and his two captives might as well start with “Enter Liane stage right.” Speaking of T’Sais, I found her story to be a very apt metaphor for depression as I have experienced it from loved ones who suffer from it. Vance actually seems to be in this weird space between Robert E. Howard’s “women are damsels/trophies” mode and a more gentle, empathetic view. They still don’t do much, mind, but I didn’t feel like this was an author who hated them!
billbaxter's review against another edition
4.0
Fun pulp read with various magical spells and unexpected happenings from a earth that is truly about to perish.
angrywombat's review against another edition
1.0
Oh god. My eyes.
So I wanted to read some of the works of Mr Vance - supposedly an influence of much of modern fantasy... This was very uneven. The basic idea felt interesting - a time so far in the future that the sun has expanded and earth itself is fading away.
The first few stories (Turjan of Mir/Mazirian the Magician/T'sais/Liane the Wayfarer) are full of characters who are completely atrocious. I seriously wish i hadn't wasted time reading these, but now I know any book that is compared to these stories i will assiduously avoid!
The language is also... strange. Turgid prose is the phrase that comes to mind. The stories also didn't seem to make much sense, or even to go out of the way to insult any form of internal logic. These are stories full of fever-dream logic and imagery.
The last couple of stories (Ulan Dhor/Guyal of Sfere) actually make more use of the dying earth setting - being tales of people searching for lost knowledge and civilisations, and the massive loss of knowledge and fall to madness that has gone on over the years. These are interesting, and are the only reason this author didn't go into my "do not read" list .
So I wanted to read some of the works of Mr Vance - supposedly an influence of much of modern fantasy... This was very uneven. The basic idea felt interesting - a time so far in the future that the sun has expanded and earth itself is fading away.
The first few stories (Turjan of Mir/Mazirian the Magician/T'sais/Liane the Wayfarer) are full of characters who are completely atrocious. I seriously wish i hadn't wasted time reading these, but now I know any book that is compared to these stories i will assiduously avoid!
The language is also... strange. Turgid prose is the phrase that comes to mind. The stories also didn't seem to make much sense, or even to go out of the way to insult any form of internal logic. These are stories full of fever-dream logic and imagery.
The last couple of stories (Ulan Dhor/Guyal of Sfere) actually make more use of the dying earth setting - being tales of people searching for lost knowledge and civilisations, and the massive loss of knowledge and fall to madness that has gone on over the years. These are interesting, and are the only reason this author didn't go into my "do not read" list .