A review by ibrow
The Eyes of the Overworld by Jack Vance

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.