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A review by mikepalumbo
Cugel's Saga by Jack Vance
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
After seventeen years and a now non-canonical entry from another author, Jack Vance returns to what is arguably his most enduring creation, the Dying Earth, with Cugel's Saga, a direct sequel to his 1966 "fix-up," The Eyes of the Overworld. Unlike its predecessor, a collection of previously published stories linked by an overarching narrative, Cugel's Saga is made up largely of originally material, with only two of the thirteen episodes having appeared elsewhere prior to their publication here.
Cugel's Saga picks up where The Eyes of the Overworld left off, with a similar plot and structure - after his latest encounter with Iuconnu the Laughing Magician, Cugel the Clever once again finds himself far from Almery, and after coming into possession of a powerful relic, the Skybreak Spatterlight, seeks a way home so that he might take revenge on Iuconnu. Where this book diverges from its predecessor, however, is in its execution. On his first journey home, Cugel left a trail of dead bodies and ruined lives in his wake. This time around, he lives up to his moniker, using treachery and deception to manipulate merchants, officials, and assorted scoundrels into aiding him on his voyage.
Cugel is still an antihero here, and unfortunately still lacking in depth, but I found him easier to root for, and the stories more enjoyable. I attribute that to the tonal shift from The Eyes of the Overworld to Cugel's Saga; the former felt mean-spirited at times, while the latter has a sense of fun and "punching up" that was previously lacking. I'd describe it as "Looney Tunes as a baroque comedy-of-manners;" Cugel's antics border on ridiculous at times, but you can't wait to see what happens next.
Highly recommended for fantasy readers looking for a fun, occasionally funny read, where the protagonist relies more on wits than physical prowess to achieve his goals.
Cugel's Saga picks up where The Eyes of the Overworld left off, with a similar plot and structure - after his latest encounter with Iuconnu the Laughing Magician, Cugel the Clever once again finds himself far from Almery, and after coming into possession of a powerful relic, the Skybreak Spatterlight, seeks a way home so that he might take revenge on Iuconnu. Where this book diverges from its predecessor, however, is in its execution. On his first journey home, Cugel left a trail of dead bodies and ruined lives in his wake. This time around, he lives up to his moniker, using treachery and deception to manipulate merchants, officials, and assorted scoundrels into aiding him on his voyage.
Cugel is still an antihero here, and unfortunately still lacking in depth, but I found him easier to root for, and the stories more enjoyable. I attribute that to the tonal shift from The Eyes of the Overworld to Cugel's Saga; the former felt mean-spirited at times, while the latter has a sense of fun and "punching up" that was previously lacking. I'd describe it as "Looney Tunes as a baroque comedy-of-manners;" Cugel's antics border on ridiculous at times, but you can't wait to see what happens next.
Highly recommended for fantasy readers looking for a fun, occasionally funny read, where the protagonist relies more on wits than physical prowess to achieve his goals.