Book Review: The Wit and Wisdom of Jack Vance as Experienced by Miguel Luga

Book Review: The Wit and Wisdom of Jack Vance as Experienced by Miguel Luga

Vancealot: Jack Vance in Review, TJ Jones

Author: Miguel Luga

Publisher: AuthorHouse, paperback, 71 pages

Release Date: 2010

Availability: Available new from Amazon as of 2/24

The full title of this book is The Wit and Wisdom of Jack Vance as Experienced by Miguel Luga.  It appears to have first been published by AuthorHouse on December 15, 2010 (per Goodreads and WorldCat) even though Amazon lists the published date as January 14, 2011 and my copy is dated 2011. AuthorHouse, according to their own website and Wikipedia, is a self-publishing company, but, as of 2/24, the book is readily available new from Amazon. Vance fans will almost certainly want to purchase this delightfully entertaining book. 

The Wit and Wisdom of Jack Vance provided hours of enjoyment and brought back memories of the many Vance writings I have read and reread over the years.  Each time I read a quote I would flash back and recall the scene from which the quote came.  The author, an eye surgeon, presents this collection in twelve chapters all beginning with a brief description of his personal experiences with reading Vance.  Each of the chapter highlights a broad topic such as 1. semantics, 2. verbal wit, 3. religion and beliefs, 4. footnotes, 5. elegant prose, 6. debates, 7. sexual customs, 8. philosophy, 9. money and bargaining, 10. proverbs, 11. a trivia test, and 12. "Throw away the cork."

Because the book is only 71 pages long and Vance was a very prolific and witty writer, it does not include many of the quotes I would have included.  But even if the book was twice as long, there would have to be omissions. The selections do not pretend to be comprehensive, and it is difficult to imagine any book that would even attempt to be.   

So here we have a delightfully humorous and entertaining book where Dr. Luga shares his enthusiasm for the writings of Vance. All Vance fans will certainly want to read this book and most will want to purchase, mark, underline and savor it.  The author even encourages readers to contact him to inform him of their favorite quotes that were not included. He reports that an E-book sequel is a possibility but not in the near future. Vance was certainly a highly talented writer, linguist and humorist and some of his genius is captured in this collection.  The Wit and Wisdom of Jack Vance is highly recommended for Vance fans.  Rated 5.

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