Emphyrio Book

Another superb Jack Vance novel. I would argue that this is among his strongest "stand-alone" works.

The plot revolves around a young man, Ghyl Tarvoke, who hails from from the city of Ambroy located on the planet Halma. Halma's ruled by unseen, mysterious Lords who run the planet as a giant "welfare state". Workers are paid a stipend for their labor and all forms of mass production or duplication (including prinitng) are strictly, and I mean strictly, prohibited. Unhappy with the way things are, Ghyl, in typical Vance protagonist fashion, vows to knowledge up and learn the truth behind a legendary figure, Emphyrio, in the hopes that he will find the secret to changing his society.

All of the hallmark's of Vance's best work are displayed in Emphyrio:

**incredible world-building;

** smart, well-integrated descriptions of local color and customs;

** marvelous, economical prose; and

** an unusual, well thought out social system, whose flaws and hampering of individual freedom lie at the heart of the story.

4.0 to 4.5 stars. Highly Recommended!!