2013/09/05 02:55:02
craigb
What about When Harley Was One by David Gerrold?
2013/09/05 17:43:10
dmbaer
mumpcake
 
If you like Vance, I'd recommend Matthew Hughes [http://www.matthewhughes.org/].
 


Thanks for the recommendation ... I've never heard of him.  Prolific fellow!  Is there a particular novel (as opposed to short story collection)  that you'd suggest I try first?
2013/09/07 22:56:15
mumpcake
Of the things he has written under his own name, most of what he has written falls into one of two groups.
 
First is the recent "To Hell and Back" trilogy about a high functioning autistic actuary who ends up accidentally summoning the devil and fights crime with a demon sidekick.  It's actually a lot more profound than that description sounds, but not at all like Vance.
 
Everything else takes place in a setting referred to as The Archonate.  This is a typical Vancian space opera setting, with the twist that the universe cycles between rationalism and sympathetic association (ie magic) and is on the cusp of the change between the former and the latter. 
 
If you are more interested in the fantasy elements, I would recommend the stories featuring Hengis Hapthorne, a detective who finds himself involved in some of the events leading to the new age.  I started with the Majestrum / The Spiral Labyrinth / Hespira cycle.
 
There are also the stories written around Luff Imbry, a forger/smuggler/art thief.  I've read one or two short stories concerning his adventures, I believe The Meaning of Luff is a compilation of these.  Also The Other.
 
The only book of his that I didn't like was one called Black Brillion.  This book and The Commons tell the same story from the viewpoints of different characters.  If I had known that going in, I would have had a different perspective on the book. 
 
2013/09/08 15:45:48
dmbaer
mumpcake
Everything else takes place in a setting referred to as The Archonate.  This is a typical Vancian space opera setting, with the twist that the universe cycles between rationalism and sympathetic association (ie magic) and is on the cusp of the change between the former and the latter. 
 



Thanks for the comprehensive reply.  Looks like I'll be taking a trip to The Archonate sometime soon.
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