A masterpiece! A combination of humanity, wit, imagination and writing which is a pure delight to read. ( )

I checked this book out after reading about Vance's Dying Earth setting on Wikipedia and becoming fascinated with the idea. I found the plot slightly lacking in conflict to keep me compelled, but in general no logic loopholes to ruin it. I liked the main character, especially the anti-hero aspect; it's especially refreshing to see an anti-hero get his comeuppance in the end. I caught myself laughing out loud a few times which is definitely worth an extra half star.

I sought out the book mainly for the setting however, and was underwhelmed by it. Other than multiple references to a now red sun, I didn't find too much distinction from a sundry fantasy setting. I did like how Vance hints that magic is highly refined and forgotten mathematics.

I'm still eager to read more Dying Earth, but overall I would not reread this. ( )

Cugel vs Iucounu

Cugel has made a mistake. He has been caught, and by a wizard that could pretty easily blast him into being an ex-Cugel.

Instead, the wizard sends him on a quest. Said wizard will let
Cugel live if Cugel can bring him back one of the Eyes of the
Overworld. A lot easier said than done, of course.

Dying Earth : 2 Eyes of the Overworld - Jack Vance
Eyes of the Overworld : 1 The Overworld - Jack Vance
Eyes of the Overworld : 2 Cil - Jack Vance
Eyes of the Overworld : 3 The Mountains of Magnatz - Jack Vance
Eyes of the Overworld : 4 The Sorcerer Pharesm - Jack Vance
Eyes of the Overworld : 5 The Pilgrims - Jack Vance
Eyes of the Overworld : 6 The Cave in the Forest - Jack Vance
Eyes of the Overworld : 7 The Manse of Iucounu - Jack Vance

Cugel busted and drafted.

3.5 out of 5

Poison, no magic and monsters.

3 out of 5

Cugel finds female companions vexing.

3 out of 5

Stone patterns and philosophy.

3 out of 5

Bemusing bunch with a spot of swordplay and harpooning.

3 out of 5

Collared into spelunking.

3.5 out of 5

Mastering magicians can make poetic justice boomerang.

4 out of 5

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2006/12/eyes-of-overworld-jack-vance.html ( )

On books, the reviewer ben_a is almost always either spot on or spot off. In this case, I am afraid, he is the latter. The Eyes of the Overworld is one of the great classics of fantasy. Here, in this short sort of travelogue, we find the perfect outlet for Vance’s cynical, dry and skeptical tone. The wonderful, painfully funny and horridly frustrating (at least for our poor friend, Cudgel) ending is worth an extra two stars alone. Fantasy gamers should take note that the metaphysics of magic in Eyes as well as its earlier companion, The Dying Earth, was one of the inspirations for the spell system in the original Dungeons and Dragons. That’s worth another star right there! ( )