The Dying Earth
Best entry point to Vance's foundational far-future fantasy and the Dying Earth sequence.
Author guide
Jack Vance Books in Order
John Holbrook Vance (1916–2013), known professionally as Jack Vance, was an American author whose career spanned science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and related fiction. He also published mystery novels under the pseudonyms Peter Held, Alan Wade, and Ellery Queen. His work is noted for elaborate cultures, distinctive language, ironic humor, and far-future settings such as the Gaean Reach.
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Not sure where to begin?
Start with one of these
Suldrun's Garden
The natural starting point for the complete Lyonesse trilogy.
The Star King
Begins the five-volume Demon Princes revenge saga.
Araminta Station
Begins the Cadwal Chronicles.
Big Planet
A concise standalone introduction to Vance's science fiction.
Read in order
Books by series
series · completed
The Dying Earth
Linked fantasy stories and novels set on a far-future Earth approaching the end of its life.
trilogy · completed
Lyonesse
A fantasy trilogy set in a mythic archipelago off the coast of medieval France.
series · completed
The Demon Princes
A five-volume science-fiction revenge saga following Kirth Gersen's pursuit of the Demon Princes.
trilogy · completed
The Cadwal Chronicles
A science-fiction trilogy concerning the preservation and governance of the protected world Cadwal.
series · completed
Alastor Cluster
Standalone but connected novels set in the Alastor Cluster under the Connatic.
trilogy · completed
Durdane
A trilogy set on Durdane, where citizens live under the authority of the anonymous Anome.
series · completed
Planet of Adventure
A four-volume planetary-adventure series following Adam Reith on Tschai.
series · completed
Miro Hetzel
Science-fiction detective stories featuring the interstellar effectuator Miro Hetzel.
- 1
Galactic EffectuatorAmazon ↗Book 1 · collection · 1980
duology · completed
Ports of Call
A linked pair of late-career science-fiction novels about Myron Tany and his travels.
setting-series · completed
Gaean Reach
A loose setting-wide grouping for several science-fiction novels situated in Vance's far-future Gaean Reach.
Outside the series
Bibliography by category
Novels (22)
- The RappareeAmazon ↗
novel · 1953
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Vandals of the VoidAmazon ↗novel · 1953
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To Live ForeverAmazon ↗novel · 1956
- Big PlanetAmazon ↗
novel · 1957
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The Languages of PaoAmazon ↗novel · 1958
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Slaves of the KlauAmazon ↗novel · 1958
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Strange People, Queer NotionsAmazon ↗novel · 1958
- The Man in the CageAmazon ↗
novel · 1960
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Space OperaAmazon ↗novel · 1965
- The Four JohnsAmazon ↗
novel · 1964
- A Room to Die InAmazon ↗
novel · 1965
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The Blue WorldAmazon ↗novel · 1966
- The Madman TheoryAmazon ↗
novel · 1966
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EmphyrioAmazon ↗novel · 1969
- The Deadly IslesAmazon ↗
novel · 1969
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The Gray PrinceAmazon ↗novel · 1974
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Showboat WorldAmazon ↗novel · 1975
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Bad RonaldAmazon ↗novel · 1973
- The View from Chickweed's WindowAmazon ↗
novel · 1979
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The House on Lily StreetAmazon ↗novel · 1979
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The Dark OceanAmazon ↗novel · 1985
- This Is Me, Jack Vance!Amazon ↗
nonfiction · 2009
Other (9)
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Eight Fantasms and MagicsAmazon ↗collection · 1969
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The Worlds of Jack VanceAmazon ↗collection · 1973
- Lost MoonsAmazon ↗
collection · 1982
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The Narrow LandAmazon ↗collection · 1982
- The Augmented Agent and Other StoriesAmazon ↗
collection · 1986
- The Dark Side of the MoonAmazon ↗
collection · 1986
- Chateau D'If and Other StoriesAmazon ↗
collection · 1990
- When the Five Moons RiseAmazon ↗
collection · 1992
- Wild Thyme, Green MagicAmazon ↗
collection · 2009