Emphyrio-Jack Vance novel, book review
Emphyrio-Jack Vance novel Emphyrio was first published in June, 1969 in a magazine called Fantastic. At the time of this writing it is in print in a high quality paperback edition by Spatterlight Press. My out of print copy has 201 pages of text. Emphyrio is a rather serious and bleak novel for Vance. It has excellent world building, a good plot and decent character development (mostly in the first half and focused on Ghyl and Amiante). Vance satirizes social and governmental stupidity, injustice and hypocrisy regardless of ideological orientation He portrays an unfair so-called welfare system that advocates "voluntary" religious participation while monitoring and enforcing certain prescribed work and social behaviors. Vance also shows corruption by pompous aristocratic lords and ladies who live off the workers and travel to distant planets in their luxurious space-yachts. Some readers might miss Vance's usual wit, humor and fascinating dial...