The Blue World by Jack Vanceaka The KragenThe Blue World is a science fiction novel with an interesting setting of a vast, open ocean world without any landmass. The story behind the idea for the book is that, apparently, Frank Herbet discussed his idea for the novel Dune—which is set in a harsh desert world—with Jack Vance prior to its release, and Vance responded by writing the novella, The Kragen, which was then later expanded into this novel.The people of the Blue World live in small colonies on a string of large, lilly-pad like floats, and their lives are terrorised by the giant sea creatures known as kragen, who they worship and respect in an almost god-like way. Life for the people of the floats has remained largely the same since their ancestors first arrived on the Blue World, and—whilst never explicitly stated—Vance continually hints that the people came to the planet when a prison ship crash landed, leaving the survivors stranded. The interesting nomenclature of the various peoples who inhabit the floats is testament to this, with groups of people know as the smugglers, swindlers, malpractors and hoodwinkers, which give a clue as to what their ancestors were on that prison ship for.The story itself focuses on the life of Sklar Hast, a protagonist who, in some ways, is similar to Cugel the Clever, in so much as he shows little emotion and is quite brutal with his actions and words. It becomes apparent early on that he is not happy with the way his fellow people submit to the kragens, and the story revolves around his struggles to convince them to instead stand-up to them. Sklar Hast is first introduced by Vance in the sample below.A relatively young man, Sklar Hast had achieved his status by the simplest and most uncomplicated policy imaginable: with great tenacity he strived for excellence, and sought to instil the same standards into the apprentices. He was a positive and direct man, without any great affability, knowing nothing of malice of guile and little of tact or patience. The apprentices resented his brusqueness but respected him; Zander Rohan considered him overpragmatic and deficient in reverence for his betters – which was to say, himself.The real strong point of The Blue World is the witty and amusing dialogue, particularly between the protagonist, Sklar Hast, and those who oppose his point of view, such as Zandar Rohan in the sample below. People who enjoyed Cugel the Clever, Cugel: The Skybreak Spatterlight or Rhialto the Marvellous, will surely enjoy The Blue World in this regard. Sklar Hast gave Zander Rohan a long slow inspection, as before. He sighed and made his decision. ‘There’s also a passage to the effect that a man shall be Guild-Master only so long as he maintains a paramount proficiency. I challenge not only your right to pass judgment but your rank as Guild-Master as well.’ Silence held the inn. Zander Rohan spoke in a choked voice. ‘You think you can outwink me?’ ‘At any hour of the day or night.’The Blue World is a very entertaining and intriguing novel, and it demonstrates many of Vance's best traits as a writer. It features an intriguing, yet believable fictional world, some very enjoyable dialogue and underneath it all, there is a good science fiction idea there, which is executed very well. This would be a good place to start for those new to Jack Vance's works since it is a short, stand-alone read, and it is a nice blend of Science Fiction and Fantasy.
Do not be fooled by the cheesiness of this book’s cover, friends. I am ashamed to admit that, in the hubris of youth, I used to walk past Jack Vance’s novels at the used bookstore, smirking at the dated little novels with the goofy cover art. And my copy is apparently not even the cheesiest version of this book…check out this number:Fortunately, I eventually saw the light and learned that I was oh so wrong. Behind these campy covers is some of the best prose you will find in sci-fi/fantasy (or indeed anywhere). Vance is in my personal holy trinity of sci-fi/fantasy prose writers along with Tolkien and T.H. White, which should come to no surprise to anybody who’s ever read his crisp, flawless writing. Vance’s books tend to be short, often under 200 pages, but that’s just because they don’t have an ounce of fat on them and Vance rarely wastes so much as a single word. This is my sixth Vance book (although my first stand alone novel) and he hasn’t let me down yet.The Blue World is set on an aquatic planet where the human population live on giant floating “pads” of vegetation. Twelve generations ago, a starship crashed on this nameless world and the survivors’ descendants have been eking out a low-tech existence ever since. Making matters more difficult is that the humans live at the mercy of a giant sea-monster called a Kragen. This monster eats a lot of the humans’ food, and in exchange it doesn’t eat them. It’s not the greatest arrangement from the humans’ perspective, and Sklar Hast decides to finally do something about it. Unfortunately for Sklar, a significant portion of the human population has grown to worship the Kragen as a god, so Sklar’s efforts to rid humanity of the Kragen threatens to tear apart society itself.Release the Kragen!!!The plot is great and I’ve already made clear how much I enjoy Vance’s style. This book is probably not the easiest to find, but if you see it hanging around at your local bookstore I recommend you take the plunge.* 4 stars.*And if you can’t find it, I highly recommend checking out The Demon Prince series or Dying Earth series, which are currently in print and can be found anywhere. If you enjoy science fiction you’ll be glad you did.
Do You like book The Blue World (2003)?
THE BLUE WORLD is an engrossing, exciting and intelligent science-fantasy novel, set on an ocean planet with no landmass. Twelve generations ago, we are told, the Firsts came to the planet as a refuge, and set up home on a series of floating islands, made from reef, coral and other natural substances. Over the years the people have multiplied, and developed their society. Great hoodwink towers on each Float are used to communicate across stretches of sea, and to warn of the proximity of terrible sea-beasts called the Kragen. Over the years the People of the Floats have created religious Intercessors among their number, who have effectively deified one such large beast, King Kragen, and now live in a static society where King Kragen is kept fed and happy, in return for not destroying their floats, and keeping other lesser sea-monsters at bay. The novel tells the story of one man, Sklar Hast, who has tired of feeding King Kragen and is doubting the talents of the Intercessors; he makes an attempt on King Kragen’s life and this results in huge waves of discontent running through the entire society. What follows is a compelling, well-told story of rebellion within a closed society; ostensibly an adventure story about giant sea creatures, the book deals heavily with religion and the veracity thereof, and many of the long meetings of the townspeople are told with zeal and with flawless logic.This is a great little book, with a colourful and exciting world, well-established [if perhaps two-dimensional] characters, great monsters and action, and an intelligent theme throughout. The character names, at first alien, are truly creative to behold; Sklar Hast, Semm Voidervegg, Barquan Blasdel, Emacho Feroxibus, and their slightly archaic style of speech and logical thinking is contagious. The book conjures up some great visual images, and Vance’s writing shines out without being pretentious; the action rolls along, and my only slight criticism is the ending is handled a bit quickly, and leaves a couple of ends dangling. I could have read a whole series set in this world; indeed, I wish I had read this when I was much younger, for it is the sort of story that lights up your imagination.Jack Vance died recently [May 2013], but has left behind a huge shelf-load of imaginative books. If they are all as good as this one, I will be reviewing more soon.8/10
—Michael
Esta novela se trasnforma en novelita después de la mitad. Comienza planteando un interesante planeta acuático con una sociedad humana de pocas generaciones que se armó a partir de un único desembarco, y que ha creado varios mitos sobre su origen incluyendo a los apóstatas de la versión oficial. Son pocos miles de habitantes divididos en gremios o castas. No viven en islas sino en gigantes camalotes. La tecnología tiene que basarse por fuerza en vegetales no leñosos; el metal brilla por ausencia o escasez. Tienen algunas costumbres matrimoniales interesantes.Pero luego la historia se transforma en una rebelión de buenos contra burócratas malvados y a toda velocidad pierde verosimilitud hasta terminar con fórceps con la muerte de los malvados y el descubrimiento de la pólvora y la electricidad (como si fuesen buenas cosas).
—Guillermo
Human refugees crash landed upon the plant two and a half centuries ago, a new society has arisen out of its remnants. But this is an world of ocean, air and sea weed, and the hardest substance on the planet is human bones.With their half remembered memories of their ancestors, they have created a society upon the lily pads of giant plants circling the equator. They only have crude tools, and rely on the protection of the giant sea creature, near-god, King Kragen, whom they must feed and whose whims must be tolerated.One, Sklar Hast, plans otherwise.Vance is at his best when he is creating new civilizations that could be. Vance writes like PG Wodehouse, complete with the vocabulary, so some might wish to pack a dictionary for this trip.
—Nemo Erehwon
