Jack Vance

John Holbrook Vance (b. August 28, 1916 in San Francisco, California; various alternative birthdates between 1916 and 1920 have been cited in different sources) is generally described as an American fantasy and science fiction author, though it has been reported that Vance himself objects to that label http://www.vie-tracking.com/cosmo/Vol01No03final.htm#VanceSFAuthor. He writes chiefly under his informal name, Jack Vance. In past years he wrote mysteries under his full formal name and also as Ellery Queen, Alan Wade, Peter Held, and John van See. He has won numerous awards and honors: Hugo Awards — in 1963 for The Dragon Masters and in 1967 for The Last Castle; a Nebula Award in 1966, also for The Last Castle; the Jupiter Award in 1975; the World Fantasy Award in 1984 for life achievement and in 1990 for Lyonesse: Madouc; an Edgar (the mystery equivalent of the Hugo) for the best first mystery novel in 1961 for The Man in the Cage; in 1990 he was named a SFWA Grand Master; and in 1992 he was Guest of Honor at the WorldCon in Orlando, Florida. He is generally highly regarded by critics and colleagues, some of whom have suggested that he transcends genre labels and should be regarded as an important writer by mainstream standards. For instance, Poul Anderson once called him the greatest living American writer "in" science fiction (not "of" science fiction). Frank Herbert and Poul Anderson were among Vance's closest friends in the SF community.

Selected Bibliography

• The Dragon Masters
• The Languages of Pao
• The Last Castle
• Slaves of the Klau
• To Live Forever

Dying Earth Series

• The Dying Earth (collection of linked stories, 1950)
• The Eyes of the Overworld (collection of linked stories, 1966)
• Cugel's Saga (novel, 1983)
• Rhialto the Marvellous (collection of linked stories, 1984)

Demon Princes Series

• The Star King
• The Killing Machine
• The Palace of Love
• The Face
• The Book of Dreams

Tschai Series (also known as Planet of Adventure)

• City of the Chasch
• Servants of the Wankh
• The Dirdir
• The Pnume

Gaean Reach (informal grouping)

• Emphyrio
• The Gray Prince
• Lurulu
• '
• Night Lamp
• Ports of Call
• Space Opera

Cadwal Chronicles

:*Araminta Station

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:*Ecce and Old Earth

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:*Throy

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Lyonesse Trilogy

• Lyonesse (subtitled Book I: Suldrun's Garden on the title page)
• The Green Pearl
• Madouc

Durdane Trilogy

• The Anome
• The Brave Free Men
• The Asutra

Alastor Cluster Threesome

• '
• '
• '

Big Planet Twosome

• Big Planet
• Showboat World