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5.0étoiles sur 5
Classic Science Fiction, Mars 16 2005
I bought this book, titled Dust of Far Suns (originally titled Future Tense), about 20 years ago and it has sat on my shelf until recently when I had a sudden urge to read it. I do not read a lot of science fiction but it is still one of my favorite genres in fiction. This is my first Jack Vance book; I have not even read one of his novels. I was truly impressed and surprised by the range and quality of the four stories in this volume. They are:(1) Dust of Far Suns (originally, Sail 25) (1962) - space cadets on a training trip into the Solar System get tested by an old master
(2) Dodkin's Job (1959) - a humorous look at a future bureaucracy with the protagonist discovering a surprising truth and turning a few tables on others and the system
(3) Ullward's Retreat (1958) - an incredibly crowded future earth where the natural environment is decimated, and replaced by images and preserved indoor specimens
(4) The Gift of Gab (1955) - a business venture on an alien planet's ocean results in an unsuspected response from one of the undersea life forms All stories are excellent, but I particularly enjoyed the first and forth. Even though these stories are half a century old, this is (to me) what science fiction is all about. Good characterizations, great and readable plots, and believable scientific and technological extrapolation into the distant (or not-too-distant) future. (I believe that Vance worked in, or was educated in, geological or mining engineering and thus has a technological background, one which is very evident in the stories.) In only minor ways do these stories seem "dated"; they are a great read even in the 21st century. What I also liked is that the stories are not overdone or over-the-top in plot and action, and the small details of plot or character ring true. If this is the quality of other short stories or novelettes that Mr. Vance has written, I cannot believe there is not a current Jack Vance collection of all his best stories. On the basis of this collection alone his name should be as revered and recognized for his S.F. short stories as are other classic-era S.F. authors; in fact, I like these stories better than any short stories I remember reading by Isaac Asimov (and I like Isaac Asimov for the most part). Very entertaining and highly recommended! By it used or hope for a reprint in the (not-too-distant) future.
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