Jack Vance passed away at home on the evening of Sunday May 26, 2013, ending a long, rich and productive life. Recognized most widely as an author, family and friends also knew a generous, large-hearted, rugged, genial, hard-working, optimistic and unpretentious individual whose curiosity, sense of wonder and sheer love of life were an inspiration in themselves. Author, friend, father and grandfather – there will never be another like Jack Vance.

~ ☆ Raise a Toast to Jack Vance ☆ ~

At the last moments of the universe, with eternal darkness converging from all sides, surely someone will arise and cry out: ‘Hold back the end for a final moment, while I pay tribute to the gallant brewmasters who have provided us a pathway of golden glory down the fading corridors of time!’ And then, is it not possible that a bright gap will appear in the dark, through which the brewmasters are allowed to proceed, to build a finer universe?

Lurulu

Ralph Montano

Dear Mr. Vance, Like others here I first came across your name in the back of my D&D book. I'm so glad I did! After Tolkien and Howard, I felt like I had nowhere to go. You gave me more fantastic worlds of fantasy. Then you led me for the first time into space. Thanks for the reads, Jack. My toast to you will be picking a few of them up again.
30 mei 2013

Volkmar Kuhnle

I named my first WoW character "Cugel", after one of his works. I really enjoyed "The Moon Moth" and many of his other works. RIP, Jack Vance!
30 mei 2013

Michael Miller

I'll never forget Cugel the Clever. A character after my own heart. Thank you for sharing him with the world, Mr. Vance. May there be runes carved to your memory.
30 mei 2013

William Solon

Here's to you, Mr. Vance. Your science fantasy stories enriched my life, and I thank you for it. May your name and your stories live on.
30 mei 2013

Goutham

I bought Tales of the Dying Earth on a whim and they were so good that I had finished off most of his books in no time. Cugel is perhaps my favorite character in literature. So much insight packed in his books! RIP Mr.Vance, you will not be forgotten.
30 mei 2013

Anonymous

Thank you Mr. Vance for all the unique and imaginative stories. You'll definitely be missed.
30 mei 2013

Chris Willrich

Thank you, Jack Vance. Part of me will always be walking upon the Dying Earth, or Tschai, or some other world you conjured.
30 mei 2013

Dennis Bauer

I spend a lot of my youth devouring Jack Vance books in my local library. He will be missed
30 mei 2013

Oon Thian Seng, SIngapore

Thank you Jack Vance for your beautiful worlds where unfailing courtesy, good manners and common sense will always win the day.
30 mei 2013

Mark Graybill

Jack, thank you for taking me to all the amazing places you created. Worlds with driving musicians, strange cults, the Intersplit, bravos on balloon-wheeled tricycles, and great Darsh faces hanging over garden walls. Thank you for taking me places that let me come back home and see myself and the people around me with new eyes.
30 mei 2013

Anonymous

Mr. Vance, thank you for sharing vivid and not always wonderful, but always *wondrous* worlds with us. You were one of the writers who got me through high school without killing myself.
30 mei 2013

Anonymous

Thank you Jack Vance for all your wonderful books and stories.
30 mei 2013

jack

50 years when I was born yet still i grew up with his ideals' running around in my head. The worlds he brought alive and the incredible characters opened a new world for me, authors should thank him for another fan of sci fi and fantasy novels as he was instrumental in my interest in reading, so other authors will have novels purchased as I in whatever small way wish to have that excitement of entering a diff' world or riding along with a new character on his adventure's. Thanks mr. Vance for the experiences and the start of my world through your eyes.
30 mei 2013

James May

What an amazing artist. One of the most distinctive voices in fantastic literature, and perhaps unmatched as a novelist when it came to a consistently high level of artistry and inventiveness.
30 mei 2013

Delvis MacCumhaill

As a young man I read "Vandals of the Void" by Jack and it hooked my imagination and sent me down the pathway of reading and later writing Sci-fi. He was one of a kind and I am sure that I am not alone in being inspired by him. He will be truly missed by all.
30 mei 2013

Wesley Young

Demon Princes was one of my favorite series of books. Thank You
30 mei 2013

NickT

I hope you are in a better place, Jack Vance - but I can already hear your mighty ghost responding that the question is nuncupatory. You were the great master of marvels and we shall not look upon your like again. Thank you for everything.
30 mei 2013

Paul Meyer

Thank you, Jack, for so many wonderful stories. I will be re-reading The Dragon Masters this evening in tribute. You will be missed.
30 mei 2013

a reader form china

万斯大师,您的想象力启发了很多人,您的幽默也感染了很多人。一路走好。
30 mei 2013

Rob Schweitzer

Thank you Jack Vance, for the great work you did and all that you inspired! There will never be another voice like yours.
30 mei 2013

Stan Komperda

Incomparable. So grateful I ran across Lyonesse back in high school which only lead to more wonderful stories. Rest in Peace.
30 mei 2013

ehaight

I learned to love the writing of Jack Vance during my teens in the 1970s. My dad had a near-complete collection of his science fiction and I fell in love immediately with the exquisite prose, arch humor, deeply imaginative worlds, and unforgettable characters. Vance is, by far, my favorite author and I can pick up any of his books at any time, turn to any page, and be instantly immersed in pure reading pleasure. I'm saddened by his death, of course, but he was fortunate to live to a ripe old age and by all accounts his life was a very good one. Now, like Navarth, he becomes legend, and though I never knew him, I'll miss him just the same.
30 mei 2013

china

生活是如此乏味,感谢给我们带来故事的人,使我们在枯燥的生活里仍然充满幻想.
30 mei 2013

Fan from China

The Dying Earth opened a whole new world for me
30 mei 2013

Jim Jankiewicz

Thanks Jack for The Moon Moth! I always treasured that story for its style, plot, interesting unique culture glimpse, and the nice twist at the end. RIP!
30 mei 2013

miguelj

I read 'To Live Forever' when I was 16, and I realized it was science-fiction for *adults* and it felt like a rite of passage for me. Thank you for having lived and written so well, Mr. Vance!
30 mei 2013

Eric M

There was never a writer who could write like Jack Vance. There was never a writer whose works I have read and re-read as much, with the sole possible exception of JRR Tolkien. There was never a writer who combined WIT with IMAGINATION and sheer ADVENTURE as well as Jack. His works inspired me with a longing, now unquenchable, to have more of the same. I am glad that he has, in some ways, begun to receive his due recognition as a writer. Thank you.
30 mei 2013

luckee

Jack Vance, star-dreamer. His space pirates, detective plots and mysterious other worlds are with us always. Blessings to Mr Vance on his next great journey. Luckee
30 mei 2013

Anonymous

I've often considered myself lucky to be on this earth the same time as Jack Vance, a master world builder, history creator,an eloquent wordsmith and story teller. Not to mention, the best at describing two individuals trying to swindle and flatter each other at the same time. I never met him but he touched my life and made it a better one. Thanks Mr. Vance.
30 mei 2013

Alan Robson

Jack was my favourite writer by far. His unique style and vision brightened my reading over many years. A new Jack Vance novel was always a treat, something to treasure. I've returned and re-read his books time and time again. They never grow stalel they are always fresh. God bless you, Jack. -- -Alan
30 mei 2013

James Lightfoot

I had basically stopped reading until I found Vance's sparkling prose. It is, like some have said, like a fine wine. Thank you sir.
30 mei 2013

John Anastacio

Your star will shine forever. Your glory will never be forgotten. You will always have our affection and gratitude. Rest in peace or good fortune, whichever is more appropriate in your current condition.
30 mei 2013

Lawrence Person

Jack Vance was one of the greatest science fiction writers of all time. We'll miss him, but we were very happy to have him.
30 mei 2013

kesher

A great spirit has passed, the great red sun gutters out--but wait--we watch with gelid eyes sprung ribald with glee as the weary orb lurches back to life. The Master has passed beyond our reach, but yet, yet, we have his words. Godspeed.
30 mei 2013

Anonymous

Your fantasy vision and style will never be forgotten, you even got me to use my dictionary after so many years since school with your special selection of words. We the remaining still live in the Dying Earth, but we will never forget you.
30 mei 2013

Bob Pylant

Jack Vance was one of the greatist writers I have had a chance to read. He was witty and humorous in his writing. God Bless you Mr. Vance for hours of reading pleasure!
30 mei 2013

Craig Herbertson

Looking at my shelves I see almost every one of Jack's books dogeared through reading and rereading. The pleasure this wonderful man has given me can't really be expressed adequately in words - Thank you. My sincere condolences.
30 mei 2013

Tim Sherburn

I'll always remember Jack for his sense of humor and his love of Big Band Jazz. He was always saying how his music was what kept him young and at 96 he was still playing songs on his uke for whoever came to visit. We're all going to miss you!
30 mei 2013

HS Facio

There are fewer giants among us. You left this world only to live forever in your books. Thank you Sir, for the wonder and the magic!
30 mei 2013

Amy Harlib

My favorite genre writer of all time - how I have loved Jack Vance's stories for decades! What a loss! HE WILL BE MISSED!
30 mei 2013

Andrew Raibeck

Your ways with words and turns of phrase* are truly unique, often imitated but never duplicated. May your works live ever and on. RIP Jack Vance. *And let us not forget your wonderful use of footnotes.
30 mei 2013

Andrew DeWeese

Rest in piece, maestro. It is impossible to convey how much your books have meant to me.
30 mei 2013

Carole Gagnon

I was introduced to Mr. Vance by my husband over 15 years ago. The world of sci-fi will never be the same without him. Cheers to the Master !!!
30 mei 2013

Anonymous

Oh no! I never told Mr Vance how his stories helped me recover from my Vietnam experience. Wonderful escape to amazing places! What a wonderful imagination! Amazing heroes and villans. It was a pleasure to find a new story or revisiting an old one. Like revisiting a good friend. You will be missed. K leckie
30 mei 2013

Jeff Talanian

I was introduced to the writings of Jack Vance via Gary Gygax in Appendix N of the AD&D Dungeon Masters Guide (1979). I have since enjoyed reading Vance again and again, and I've saved a few to read as a I grow older. Thank you, Jack. You were a gem.
30 mei 2013

Ken Lehman

You are the greatest sagaman of them all, Jack! I have over forty of your books, and hold them dear in my library. You were - and always will be - an inspiration to me: here, and now from above. I never had the honor of meeting you, but know you well thru your works. The Lioness Trilogy was probably my favorite, but I can name several others that kept me riveted. Rest in peace, Jack, and keep smiling on us. Maybe we can go sailing 'up there' someday together. Love, Ken & Raquel
30 mei 2013

John J

The greatest! Honored to have met him at Worldcon in Orlando many years ago.
30 mei 2013

Rob Gerrand

The great Jack Vance is silent. Yet still I hear his voice: witty, skeptical, fond, profound. He has seen it all, understood, and shared it with us most elegantly. Departed, yes, but ever with us.
30 mei 2013

Lucienne Leemans

Rest in peace Jack--my sincere condolences to his son end family- i have great remembers from the story of Madouc !
30 mei 2013

Erich Toll

I stumbled upon Jack Vance a few years ago, with "Big Planet." And then came Plant of Adventure, the Demon Princes...and there was no turning back. I always say, I read only non-fiction - and Jack Vance. His heroes, always strong and clever and resourceful. The villains, everywhere and crafty and avaricious. The other worlds, so intricate, so real, as if Vance had been there. His amazing vocabulary and command of English: I always have a dictionary close at hand to fully enjoy Vance. In my first 45 years, I read hundreds of authors. But I know what I like. And why read any other, when I still have Vancian masterpieces to discover?
30 mei 2013

Raymond E. Feist

One writer can not praise another more than stopping while reading a story as saying, "Damn, I wish I had thought of that!" I've said that about Jack's work as much as anyone else I've read. If The Dying Earth was his only work I'd be envious but he did so much more. I still find myself thinking of The Dragon Masters every so often and I read it, what? Forty. Years ago? A giant of the craft and a unique voice. Best, R.E.F.
30 mei 2013

Andrew Meadows

When I buy fantastic book I like to give it away to a friend to read... unless it is a Jack Vance novel. Those I've kept in my collection to be read again and again. Thank you Jack Vance for a treasure of work!
30 mei 2013

Em

I first discovered Jack Vance as an adolescent with Marune Alastor 933, and have been reading his work off-and-on since then. Though it's easy to praise his visual scenes, or the wild 'alien' cultures he invented, what I don't hear mentioned a lot is just how damned funny a lot of his work is. In some many of his stories, there's a 'hero' that is from a lowish or marginalized caste that doesn't give a fig about the pretenses and entitlements of those the hero encounters. This interaction often results in a defrocking of the individual the hero encounters as well as their whole society. And need it be said that this was really just a giant satire of human culture? My God he was brilliant and as I said to my friend (who worked on the VIE), we probably have no right to mourn because, at 96, Vance left behind a huge volume of work.
30 mei 2013

Steve Sechi

My all-time favorite sci-fi and fantasy writer - I loved the Dying Earth books, Lyonesse Trilogy, the Planet of Adventure trilogy, and pretty much everything he wrote. A great story-teller and great stylist. My sincere condolences to his family - he will be missed.
30 mei 2013

Fernando Salazar

We need Navarth to lead this toast, but for once, he is silent.
30 mei 2013

Bleak Masterson

jack vance was my favorite sf writer as a youth and still today. vance had the singular ability to sketch a completely alien psychology or end a complex epic sf or mystery novel in a single paragraph -- sometimes a single sentence. his outrageous humor and creativity, and his masterful use of color and neology always blew me away. at the same time, he mainly wrote about human beings separated by millenia of autonomous development in an interstellar region termed appropriately and economically the "oikumene." in terms of impact, his dying earth stories still haunt me. they still haunt gaming technology too -- for example, the magic system in dying earth is the basis for how magic works in dungeons and dragons and world of warcraft. as a romp, my favorites are the demon princes series and tschai, planet of adventure. you can read these novels as the misremembered, impressionistic recollection of his time in the merchant marine (american, orientalist, curious, sympathetic to the underdog, acutely aware of the functioning of privilege and the complexities of culture and language, and in many cases, deliberately, outrageously, humorous about it -- not beyond criticism but as cugel the clever says, "One must use his wits in dealing with maledictions." ). a character in tschai, the "dirdir-man" anacho at-afram, voiced vance's basic thesis: "people are plastic." vance's exploration of this -- aesthetically, politically, and otherwise, with complete control of language -- will be sorely missed. i grew up reading his books and already miss him.
30 mei 2013

L Richards

From the moment I discovered "The Brave Free Men" in a small bookshop, forty-odd years ago, to this day, I have enjoyed all the worlds you made for us. . Today, I will order the book you wrote about another wonderful adventure: "This Is Me, Jack Vance". I look forward to reading what may be the most wonderful saga of all.
30 mei 2013

David C.

Ah, the world's lost one of the great original flames of inspiration-but he's set a thousand thousand more minds afire with possibilities.
30 mei 2013

Kevin

I am crying real tears right now. Such a great man, human being, and writer. One of the highlights of my life was being able to talk to him last year on the phone. He was such a friendly, engaging conversationalist, as I hoped he would be from his writing. Peace, Jack and Norma!
30 mei 2013

Stephanie

From his "The Book of Dreams" - "So then, stranger, go your way. When at last you make your homecoming, wherever it may be among the sparkling worlds, bring report of those who stand brooding yonder." RIP, Mr. Vance.
30 mei 2013
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