Science Fiction

and I will always revere the novels of my favorite all-time author, Jack Vance. He is the one author I would take on the desert island. And that's tough, because I also love John Steinbeck, Russel Banks, many great authors.

My Dad had Mr. Vance's novels laying around; I grew up on SciFi. I treasured my Dad and I treasure Mr. Vance's books.

I've read The Demon Princes novels at least 4 times; Planet Of Adventure 3 times...The Moon Moth, at least 3 times.

Mr. Vance's work is something I return to every once in a while, like a comfy old overcoat, like watching The Big Sleep or Out Of The Past again. They never get old. They're old friends that I love to visit with.

I learned of Mr. Vance's transition yesterday. After scanning the bulk of the internet articles about it, I broke out The Eyes Of The Overworld once more, that novel being the breakthrough Vance read for me, the book that made me see the beauty and joy of his writing. Cugel the Clever being outwitted by the Busiaco while Derwe Coreme hurled insults at him still tickles me.

R.I.P. Mr. Vance; we will not see your like again. I never used so many colons and semicolons in my correspondence before I read you. You grew my vocabulary exponentially; you populate my imagination. Saying 'thank you' is so inadequate.

(on edit) I forgot to mention: where do you think my screen name here comes from???? Navarth!! From The Palace Of Love!!!