In 1976, at age of 12, I read my first book, Durdane, and I was immediately in love. The second book was Tschai and after that book I read all your books. Thanks for the good times you have given me.

Jack, the wooer of hearts, souls, and minds. Creator of playlands for the imagination and spirit. I found you so late but at least I found you and I love you. Sweet dreams.

Happy birthday, old chap. This is to your memory!

J'ai 50 ans, et cela fait maintenant 35 ans que j'ai fait ta connaissance. Tu m'as donné beaucoup de bonheur et reste mon auteur favori. C'est avec toujours autant de plaisir que je te relis. Un très grand merci à toi pour ces moments si précieux. J'espère transmettre le virus vancien à mes enfants ... Tu a apporté de la joie et tu continueras longtemps à le faire à un grand nombre d'être humains. Peut t'on attendre quoi que se soit de mieux d'un homme ? Encore merci Jack, et bon vent !

Discovering his writing by chance was one of the finest things that happened to me. I often feel a profound resonance in my soul when I read his books. His beautiful capture of wistfulness, melancholy, whimsy, and poignancy have brought tears to my eyes and a big lump to my throat on many occasions. Suldrun has just departed her garden, and I can feel summer coming to an end in the same way. The humour of his irascible pedant, tart language, and complex societal structure is such a fantastic contrast. How can a monster be both amusing (it hoots!) and scary at the same time? How does a troll's head end up trapped in a pan, trying to escape using its teeth and tongue? To his friends and family - I hope it is of some comfort to hear how profoundly he has affected many lives. He is the author I return to time and again, and I was most upset to hear of his death. What a wonderful thing to have achieved, and what a wonderful life to have been part of. My most heart-felt thanks.

De una manera u otra,volveremos a encontrarnos,por lo pronto,asta la vista.

De una manera u otra,volveremos a encontrarnos,por lo pronto,asta la vista.

My fist story was "To Live Forever" which I read at about age fifteen: fifty-five years ago. I have always loved his stories for their theme of an individual striving against the odds, his descriptions of far-away worlds, and his exquisite sentence-construction and word-play. And to think how much grander the World Cup would be -- with the pageants and the beautiful sheirls -- had they played Hussade instead!

I discovered the works of Jack Vance in 1986 at age 15. In the following 2 years, I read all he had published sofar (that I could find). Those are simply my best Sci-Fi memories. His sense of humour, especially, sticked with me to this day. A ray of light.

Seit ich vor vielen Jahren das erste Buch von Jack Vance gelesen habe, bin ich sein Fan geworden und habe versucht, alle Bücher zu erwerben, die von ihm auf deutsch erschienen sind. Leider ist er hierzulande kaum bekannt und seine Bücher wurden - wie ich erfahren habe - auch nicht gut, teilweise gekürzt übersetzt. Trotzdem sein sie für mich mit das Beste, was es in der Science Fiction gibt.

My husband Ken was a relation to Jack Vance. Through my mother in law, Inez, I learned of this connection. When he was visiting Seattle, Inez visited him and talked about old times. Now that my husband has past, I wish I had the opportunity to learn more about the family. So many unanswered questions.

I bought several early editions - I don't know if you would call them first editions or not but they were the first in paperback - of Jack's books going back through the seventies. I worked construction then and traveled a lot. Those books endured what abuse they could absorb until they were replaced. I found it necessary to replace all of them. I own them all today, in one edition or another. I wrote Jack several years ago to tell him of my enduring regard for his work. I told him that those paperbacks had spent their short, hard lives in my back pocket. They were "working" books, and didn't last long enough to be found with brown, brittle pages after years in a cardboard box in the basement. This was some time after the publication of Lurulu. I had long regarded him as my favorite writer but always supposed that he received no end of compliments along these lines. Knowing that he was surely not long for the world, I was moved to write the only fan letter I remember ever writing. His son sent an email back saying that he had read my words to Jack and received a smile. I always smile myself when I think of that.

Bedankt voor alles Jack! Je prachtige boeken, die mij al zoveel leesvreugde gaven, zal ik altijd blijven herlezen. Je blijft in mijn gedachten!

the world lost a truly great writer vance has been my absolute favorite for 35 or so years I still reread him regularly

Ich kann mich nicht an mein erstes Buch erinnern, ich vermute es war die "Sterbende Erde". Seine Bücher waren eine Offenbarung für mich, ich habe sie geliebt und habe alles gelesen, was ich von ihm in die Hände bekommen habe. "Lesen rettet Leben" und ohne die Bücher von Jack Vance wäre mein Leben ärmer gewesen. In meinem Kopf habe ich Filme aus seinen Büchern gemacht, mein Favorit dafür war die Showboatwelt, vielleicht wird es ja noch verfilmt. Danke für die gute Zeit, ich hätte gerne noch mehr aus deiner Welt erfahren, mehr von dir gelesen. So long Jack, meine Welt ist ärmer ohne dich, aber auch reich durch dich. Raddinger

This has taken many months to write. Magister When he heard the mage was dead The student donned a robe of gloom; And lenses made from sandestin's scales Then with bowed head went to his room. He lit the green lamp on his desk, Unsealed a heavy jar of stone And poured a draught of purple wine Into a cup of dragonbone. He raised his head from study The lamplight pale and green and wan He saw the iron dawn come in And mused; a sadder, wiser man.

what can be said for having read JV for the first time? Can it be compared to anything in life or literature? First kiss? First child? A summers day? Jack cracked our cosmic egg.He revealed worlds and weaved words with the best of them.I have never copared his writting to his genre,but rather to Joyce,Beckett,Pound.Some day his works of art shall receive their just due, like the deapairing Mozart. You were a giant 'mongst pygmys, Jack,and you now ride on eagles' wings. YOU ARE GONE BUT YOUR ART REMAINS!

I only just found out. There are so many worthy tributes here there is little I can add. I have visited Jack's worlds for over 40 years and hope to continue for another 40. Unique, brilliant. Thankyou Jack.

Mr. Vance is easily my favorite writer. America definitely lost a literary treasure with his passing. His command of the English language is superb, perhaps inimitable. I will forever take pleasure in reading and re-reading his works.... and I will continue to do so until my final days. Godspeed Mr. Vance!

Dear Jack, whereever you are, I wish to offer my deepest thanks for the wonderful hours of astonishment and ease from real world dullness... your voyages, not books, have been a gift which lifted my mind. I stumbled upon the site jackvance.com only now, but know that I have been an avid reader of your stories in my youth,italian versions of your work,cause I live there... and even now I enjoy reading of yours every now and then. I was very saddened by your departure, but I do understand that you lived a rich and satisfying life, so I can only hope to follow you by your trail, if I am lucky enough. Let me raise a glass of the finest dark beer in yr honor... and let me believe you are somewhere beyond, still telling amazing stories...

I discovered Jack Vance's sci fi writings during the 1980s, with the Demon Princes series, then worked back to his earlier novels and short stories. I continue to read and re-read them to this day with great pleasure. Vance's plot-lines, characters, and rich cultural syndromes are unequaled in any genre.

Jack Vance is by far my favourite writer. He's somebody who I rate higher than any fantasy or SF writer I know, without wanting to do them any injustice. He is just so damned good. The pleasure of his stories is that I can read them again and again, in an almost yearly cyclus (for about 30 years now). Still I discover new elements and enjoy his incredibly sofisticated sense of humor. Imagine yourself sitting in the sand on a beach, with your feet in water, in your left hand a rum punch or a cold beer and in your other hand Trullion. Unfortunately I never combined those 4 elements, but that's how I imagine what perfect relaxation could be. Thank you again, Jack, for the happiness, enjoyment and pleasure you still share through your writings.

Jack is always in my heart

Have been reading Jack Vance since about 1975. My first book off you was Tschai, and from the moment I starting to read you are my favourite author. Now I have most off your books ( Translated into Dutch ) read, re-read and re-re-read. There will never again be a writer like you Jack. Wherever You are now, I'm sure there's a new star shining somewhere in the Galaxy. R.I.P my Friend.

I found Jack Vance's work through a reference made by George RR Martin a couple of years back. I read The Dying Earth series, followed by Lyonesse, followed by Planet of Adventure and on it went... I have now worked my way through over 40 of his novels, novellas and shorts and have found myself truly entertained throughout. I was incredibly sad to hear of Jack's passing last year, not least because once i finish his final work there will be no more, but also because the world has lost a literary great without really realising it had one. Forever grateful for the stories he told.

My father used to read Jack Vance and I started myself when I was approximately 14 years old. His stories transported me in such wonderful worlds! He conforted me when life was rough,and when my father died when I was 25, I felt I could still share something with him through Jack stories. Thank you Mister Vance for all this happiness! I sure hope you are now in one of those marvellous world! Carole

I feel the death of Jack Vance as a personal loss. The way he could discribe in a very convincing way an entire (alien) culture within only a few sentences! His imagination was unbelieveable wide and open. He inspired me in my work. My humble respect to the great master, who was almost like a close friend through his works. Thanks Jack!

I has almost been a year now. The world seems to have lost some of its magic knowing there will never be a new Jack Vance story to discover. I still miss you.

Such a sad loss to his family and all who enjoyed his work. I have read and re-read Jack's books so many times, they will always give me great enjoyment. I'm starting to read them to my sons who are as spellbound as I was when I read my first Vance, his work will go on forever. I miss you Jack.

Découvrant Jack Vance au début des années 60, je fus un adolescent émerveillé au premier sens du terme, je n'ai cessé de le lire et le lis encore. Je n'ai qu'un regret que son autobiographie " This is me, Jack Vance " ne soit pas traduite en français ! Merci Monsieur Vance !

In December 1963, I was a 13 year old who discovered Jack Vance through the first installment of "The Star Kings" in Galaxy magazine. One peek inside Smade's Tavern and I was hooked. My fave Science Fiction author. The most loving use of the English language by an American author since Poe. The most all-embracing love for "humanity" since Dickens. The sharpest satirical skewer since Swift. Thank you, Jack! Best Wishes to the Vance Family.

I first discovered Jack Vance at the end of the 50's. I have read and re-read his classic stories time and again. No other author has affected me so. RIP

I knew this was going to happen sooner or later, but I still was not ready for it. His work can be re-read at will, and he's in my regular rotation. He would have made a marvelous waiter with his descriptions of the meals characters ate. Crying at work now...

The voice, the voice!!

I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Jack's passing. I haven't read all his books, but enough to be swallowed up each time by his seemingly familiar foreign lands of charismatic yet chaotic characters. I have never had the same reading experience - where I *don't* question Jack's fanciful words of mystery and intrigue, although I feel I wouldn't find them all in a dictionary if I looked. Thank you.

Of all my favourite authors, Jack Vance is the one to whom I have always returned. A single paragraph can conjure a million details. A single idea can leave me thinking of it for days. As rich as a field of stars. As deep as the soul. But always as true as a close and trusted friend.

Break out the pale lavender wine, pressed from Almery grape. He is no more, and the sun will soon likewise extinguish. For what has the sun to sputter for, now that the chronicler of its perturbations has departed. Drink, drink one and all, and let the sun be extinguished!

I first read the Eyes of the Overworld at the age of about 12, and it changed and expanded my mental horizons (as well as greatly enlarging my vocabulary!). It was life changing for me. I have been quite ill in recent years, and have only just learned of your passing. You were truly one of the greats. I am almost 40 now, and you are still the only author I can re-read to infinity. I carry your words in my heart wherever I go. Thank you.

Mr. Vance, thanks for sharing your fantastic world with us. I was hooked after reading Showboat World. Afterwards I have enjoyed travelling with you and your charachters around the universe. Have been with Kith Gersen and Cugel! Transferred to other worlds, circumstances and times! I was very sad learning that my absolute favourite writer was gone, but I realize that this is no time for mourning. Rather it's -the- time for raising our goblets and celebrate one of the best of the best. I wish You godspeed!!!

Jack Vance was an author who's love of the written word shone from his works. I will raise a glass tonight in his memory.

A master of words and of worlds. I discovered Mr. Vance one bored day while at the library. I'll never forgot how mesmerized I was by his humor, his wit, his use of the English language.....I could go on and on. His writing has been a beacon to me ever since. I can always go back to re-reading a Vance novel to be refreshed, to find that sense of wonder about the universe, about man, and ultimately about myself. Thank you Mr.Vance.

A long, long time ago I stumbled on one of Jack Vances books. It made me love and appreciate science fiction forever. Reading his books made me think that he was just sitting in his study, looking through a strong telescope to some distant planet and wrote down what he saw. He made strange worlds and strange cultures come to live. I spent years of my life in his worlds and loved every minute of it.

Once again I find myself up late-night re-reading for the who knows time Mr. Vance's Lyonesse trilogy. Ever does it call to me to fly from the mundane, humdrum of, what, now even into the 21st Century's droll constraints on adventure back to a time when much more was about and much more was. In my head I carry a kingdom where magic realms rule along with good men and the black hearted alike, muchly sparked by events and characters in Lyonesse. Someday I hope to venture there personally for I know just next door there lie roads into Lyonesse herself, perhaps even to running into Mr. Vance there. Let us all life our pints to Jack for I'm sure he awaits us there with further tales and greater adventures that are yet to be!

A chance reading of George R. R. Martins's Songs of A Dying Earth opened the door to the novels of Jack Vance. One of the contributing authors called Jack's writing "intellectual meth." I have been addicted ever since! Thank you for the web site which allows easy research of Mr. Vance's novels and short stories.

Very sad to learn about this news. Dear Jack, your stories, the fabulous places you dreamed up and the wonderful personalities you introduced will stay with me forever. Thank you for sharing your imagination with us. Thank you for making me laugh.

Merci pour m'avoir fait découvrir une autre science-fiction. Les histoires de Cugel sont fabuleuses et m'ont transporté toujours loin de notre rude réalité. Et si vos convictions politiques me laissent de marbre, vous n'en restez pas moins un grand écrivain. Et c'est l'écrivain que je remercie ici, le conteur formidable.

the end of an era. ive had jacks books close to hand since the late 60s and have always made a point of re-reading a few each year. they are my most treasured posessions, along with my neil young lps. when our house was threatened by fire recently it was jacks books that were my first priority to save! had the absolute pleasure to read eyes of the overworld to my 8 year old daughter, and watch her laugh and enjoy it so much. years later and she is about to start lyonesse. a true gift from a truely unique writer. a life well lived!

I discovered Jack Vance in 1979, when I was about fourteen. I have read and reread all of his books ever since. I was enthralled by the demon princes and their nemesis, Kirth Gersen. To this day this character is by far the best anti-hero i have encountered. Thank you Jack Vance!

It pleased me to be a VIE volunteer, even if only in a small way. It always felt like a tribute to the author. A chore that I wanted to do. I had also been a long running fan of Arthur Upfield of the 'Boney' bush detective series and I often saw Magnus Riddolph as an extension of the same character. Has anyone else made that association?

Reading the "Dying Earth" was one of the most captivating fiction experiences I ever had. Jack Vance took me to "other places" like no other and that is exactly why I read him. Thank you Mr. Vance - your are the best.

Jack Vance was and is one of my favorite science fiction writers. The worlds, societies and aliens he created are wonderful. His humor cracked me up. As I have many copies of his books I feel he is not yet done with this earth... I know that because when I pick up one of his books - there he is...

Let's keep this going, it's hard to believe we can have exhausted commentary on Jack's work so soom

Acabamos teniendo muchas almas a lo largo de nuestra vida: pocas de oro, muchas de barro. En mi particular cuarto de almas, la forjada con la lectura de tus obras es una de las más hermosas y nobles. ¡Adiós, eterno Cugel!

The best author ever. I've read end re-read every book! Nog nooit zulke goede boeken gelezen!

I can live with the passing away of Karl May,Homer, Shakespeare, Wodehouse. Maybe even of Navarth, the mad poet. But now the king himself is dead. Long live the king in the book of dreams!

My friend Jack Vance ... I just heard that you were gone to join your hero ..... your books I am so unhappy ... I cry because I love you jack we love you ... you'll miss me waiting one day we are left with the angels .. I had the chance to met you you Futuroscope Utopia in France in 1998 I told you ... even a book about my question .. and photographed with my inventions on light .. had described it to you this portable studio .... I cry I cry you are my hero .. and now I'm alone ... it remains for me on facebook this special facebk called Olao and is a tribute to you when I knew you were gone ... this story you would have liked to write ... but now with your help in the sky ... together we will write the Life of Levias ... the origin of all our lives ... you are in truth .... you will be my friend, my brother for eternity ... olivier cailaud / Olao / Olavia / Okaio

I grew up reading you. You helped form my thinking and imagination. I just learned of your death today, 1/21/14 while out looking for some Vance ebooks.So who is ever going to replace you? No one, amigo.

Quite possibly partly responsible for my love of travel and exploring new places, his vivid descriptions of amazing worlds captivated me for many hours. Read most of his books in Dutch but have been collecting them in English - time to enjoy them again! Wonderful stuff.

Thank you Mr Vance! Kind regards from Spain, Carlos

Thank you Mr. Vance. My world will never be the same after experiencing your works. Humor, genius, vice, virtue, the unmutable human condition, what more could a reader ask for?