Rapparee, The-Jack Vance novel, book review
Rapparee, The-Jack Vance novel (author’s preferred title) AKA: Five Gold Bands and Space Pirates This 138 page novel was written in 1949 and first published under the title "The Five Gold Bands" in November, 1950 in Startling Stories magazine. In 1953 it was reissued with the title "The Space Pirates" and in 2002 it was published under the title "The Rapparee." Vance himself preferred The Rapparee title. A rapparee was an Irish gorilla fighter from the 1690s, and our main character once refers to himself as being one. Our main character is the Earther, Paddy Blackthorn, who has gone to the planet Akhabats where valuable space-drives are assembled. Paddy is apprehended by Kudthu guards while he is trying to steal some of the rare and costly space-drives. The penalty for this is mandatory death. But when the "Koton Councillor" learns that Paddy is a master of numerous languages, he decides to delay the execution and use Paddy as...