Songs of the Dying Earth : Stories in Honour of Jack Vance

Half a century ago, Jack Vance created the world of the Dying Earth, and fantasy has never been the same. To honor the magnificent career of Jack Vance, George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, with the full cooperation of Vance, his family, and his agents, have created a Jack Vance tribute anthology: Songs of the Dying Earth.

“…stories not only capture the unique feel of Vance's dying universe but stand individually as one of the strongest gatherings of writers to pay homage to one of their own. This is highly recommended.” – Library Journal

The best of today's fantasy writers to return to the unique and evocative milieu of The Dying Earth, from which they and so many others have drawn so much inspiration, to create their own brand-new adventures in the world of Jack Vance’s greates­t novel.

This book contains 22 original stories – from George R. R. Martin, Neil Gaiman, Dan Simmons, Elizabeth Moon, Tanith Lee, Tad Williams, Kage Baker, and Robert Silverberg, along with many others–as well as an introduction by Dean Koontz.

Reviews

“When well-known writers vie to create short stories to honor a fellow writer, great things can be expected. Without exception, each of the stories included here would stand on its own, but when taken together, the collection is astounding. All are set in a world that Jack Vance created 50 years ago, a world whose sun is dying and, therefore, whose end is near. These are not apocalyptic tales of the horrific end but rather stories of the lives of those who live knowing that their sun is going to destroy their world. This anthology will appeal to both fans of Vance and to those who may never have heard of him. These fantasy adventures are compelling in their own right, and for those who haven’t read their inspiration, they may send them in search of that book, Vance’s The Dying Earth (1950).” Booklist

“Starred Review. This stellar anthology features 22 original stories set in the far future of Grand Master Jack Vance's 1950 cl­assic The Dying Earth, wherein sorcerers, rogues and demons squabble for power beneath the waning light of a bloated red sun. Some of the field's most talented writers successfully adopt Vance's convoluted style, ironic dialogue and amoral protagonists, as in Dan Simmons's epic novella The Guiding Nose of Ulfänt Banderoz, which relates the desperate quest of Shrue the diabolist to find a dead wizard's Ultimate Library, and Liz Williams's ex­cellent Caulk the Witch-chaser, concerning a minor wizard forced to ally himself with his quarry. Exquisitely illustrated by Tom Kidd, these are tales to savor and a fitting tribute to one of the field's finest authors.” Publishers Weekly

“…stories not only capture the unique feel of Vance's dying universe but stand individually as one of the strongest gatherings of writers to pay homage to one of their own. This is highly recommended.” – Library Journal