What do you think?
Rate this book
Cadwal Chronicles #3
Throy
Although the Conservancy of Cadwal has a new Charter, various factions work against it to further their own interests, and Glawen Clattuc is commissioned by the governors of the planet to apprehend the conspirators. Reprint.
255 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
9 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
About the author
Jack Vance
778 books1,598 followersAka John Holbrook Vance, Peter Held, Ellery Queen, Alan Wade.
John Holbrook Vance was an American writer widely celebrated for his imaginative contributions to science fiction, fantasy, and mystery literature. Over a career that spanned more than six decades, he became known for richly detailed worlds, inventive language, and stories that combined adventure with sharp social observation. His work influenced generations of speculative fiction writers and helped expand the literary possibilities of the genre. Vance wrote more than sixty books and numerous short stories, many first appearing in science fiction magazines before later being expanded into novels and collections. His fiction was widely translated and developed an international readership.
Vance grew up in California and spent part of his youth on a ranch near the Sacramento River delta, where he developed a love of the outdoors and an appetite for reading. The family experienced financial hardship during the Great Depression, prompting him to take a variety of jobs before completing his studies at the University of California, Berkeley. During these years he worked in several trades and cultivated interests in music, travel, and sailing, experiences that later informed many of the settings and themes in his fiction. Before becoming a full-time writer he held numerous occupations, including shipyard worker, merchant seaman, carpenter, and surveyor.
His earliest published story appeared in the mid 1940s in a science fiction magazine, marking the beginning of a long writing career. Throughout the following decades he produced stories across multiple genres, though he became best known for science fiction and fantasy cycles that combined imaginative settings with elaborate cultures and social systems. Among his most famous works are The Dragon Masters and The Last Castle, both of which received Hugo Awards. The Last Castle also earned the Nebula Award, confirming Vance's reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in speculative fiction. His fantasy trilogy Lyonesse later received the World Fantasy Award, while his memoir This Is Me, Jack Vance! earned another Hugo decades later.
In addition to speculative fiction, Vance wrote several mystery novels, some under pseudonyms including Ellery Queen. These works often blended crime elements with psychological or social themes and sometimes anticipated ideas that later appeared in his science fiction. His storytelling frequently emphasized cultural conflict, moral ambiguity, and intricate social customs rather than large-scale warfare, setting him apart from many contemporaries in the genre.
Vance maintained close friendships with other science fiction writers and participated in literary communities that shaped postwar American speculative fiction. He traveled widely with his family and spent extended periods abroad, experiences that influenced the exotic settings and cosmopolitan tone found in many of his books. Music also played a role in his life and writing, reflecting his long-standing enthusiasm for traditional jazz.
Despite gradually losing his eyesight later in life, Vance continued writing with the aid of specialized software and completed both fiction and autobiography in his later years. Over time his reputation grew steadily, and he received numerous honors, including the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement and recognition as a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Critics and fellow writers often praised his distinctive style, wit, and imagination, and his stories remain widely read within the science fiction and fantasy community.
John Holbrook Vance was an American writer widely celebrated for his imaginative contributions to science fiction, fantasy, and mystery literature. Over a career that spanned more than six decades, he became known for richly detailed worlds, inventive language, and stories that combined adventure with sharp social observation. His work influenced generations of speculative fiction writers and helped expand the literary possibilities of the genre. Vance wrote more than sixty books and numerous short stories, many first appearing in science fiction magazines before later being expanded into novels and collections. His fiction was widely translated and developed an international readership.
Vance grew up in California and spent part of his youth on a ranch near the Sacramento River delta, where he developed a love of the outdoors and an appetite for reading. The family experienced financial hardship during the Great Depression, prompting him to take a variety of jobs before completing his studies at the University of California, Berkeley. During these years he worked in several trades and cultivated interests in music, travel, and sailing, experiences that later informed many of the settings and themes in his fiction. Before becoming a full-time writer he held numerous occupations, including shipyard worker, merchant seaman, carpenter, and surveyor.
His earliest published story appeared in the mid 1940s in a science fiction magazine, marking the beginning of a long writing career. Throughout the following decades he produced stories across multiple genres, though he became best known for science fiction and fantasy cycles that combined imaginative settings with elaborate cultures and social systems. Among his most famous works are The Dragon Masters and The Last Castle, both of which received Hugo Awards. The Last Castle also earned the Nebula Award, confirming Vance's reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in speculative fiction. His fantasy trilogy Lyonesse later received the World Fantasy Award, while his memoir This Is Me, Jack Vance! earned another Hugo decades later.
In addition to speculative fiction, Vance wrote several mystery novels, some under pseudonyms including Ellery Queen. These works often blended crime elements with psychological or social themes and sometimes anticipated ideas that later appeared in his science fiction. His storytelling frequently emphasized cultural conflict, moral ambiguity, and intricate social customs rather than large-scale warfare, setting him apart from many contemporaries in the genre.
Vance maintained close friendships with other science fiction writers and participated in literary communities that shaped postwar American speculative fiction. He traveled widely with his family and spent extended periods abroad, experiences that influenced the exotic settings and cosmopolitan tone found in many of his books. Music also played a role in his life and writing, reflecting his long-standing enthusiasm for traditional jazz.
Despite gradually losing his eyesight later in life, Vance continued writing with the aid of specialized software and completed both fiction and autobiography in his later years. Over time his reputation grew steadily, and he received numerous honors, including the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement and recognition as a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Critics and fellow writers often praised his distinctive style, wit, and imagination, and his stories remain widely read within the science fiction and fantasy community.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 7, 2026
“That is a pleasant beverage. It stimulates the oral cavity and cleanses the sinuses with its invigorating activity. The flavor is mild yet pungent, without rancidity or after-burn. I will take a bit more, with your permission.”
Space opera with a twist of irony and with elegant language fluorishes. Throy concludes the Cadwal Chronicles, part of the larger Gaean Reach mythology. It can be read as a stand-alone story, but I would recommend reading the whole series in order of publication, as the previous two books were both excellent and a good preparation for following the dramatic events of the closing volume.
Cadwal is wild and open and beautiful, and I couldn’t bear to see it disfigured.
The planet Cadwal is a sanctuary, established by the Naturalist Society of Earth and governed by a Conservancy, according to its original Charter. But, in the centuries since its discovery, serious conflicts are brewing between the old Conservationist families on Araminta Station, the illegal immigrants on a nearby island and the heirs of the Naturalist Society on Throy, the third Cadwal continent, after Ecce and Deucas.
I will not do a recap of events from the first two episodes. The slow burning conflict between the different factions is about to blow up into all-out war. Glawen Clattuc, the young man who was the focus of the first two books, is again the principal actor, supported by his girlfriend Wayness Tamm, and by a new partner assigned to him by his boss in the local police force.
“Chilke is a practical man. He avoids fears, grief and dreary thoughts because they make him miserable.”
Glawen and Chilke are send off planet on a wild chase after the conspirators, two sisters with a personal grudge against the Conservancy, and after the rich sponsors who might support the rebellion with ships and money.
We will witness the usual by now planet hopping in private space yachts, weird places and the even weirder people who live there, majestic landscapes and dangerous flora and fauna, colourful fashions and dubious cuisines, crooks and confidence tricksters and other amoral strangers on the road, romance, adventure, mortal danger and secret cabals.
“This way and remember: the word is ‘nonchalance’!”
Glawen and Chilke have that phlegmatic, relaxed yet ready for any surprise attitude that is shared between most of Vance’s creations. They use the same formal and subversive polite speech, they have the same thirst for freedom and action. The intricacies of the actual plot become less relevant for me than the joys of exploration, the social anthropology of future cultures and the dark humor with social commentary that is particular to Vance.
“I refer to the Yips. They won’t work unless you bring out beer to the job; then after an hour or two they become merry and start skylarking and there is still no work done, but the celebration continues until all the beer is gone. Then they lie down and sleep, and nothing will induce them to resume their duties.”
The Yips are temporary workers and servants brought to Cadwal to help run the Conservancy, who now vastly outnumber the administrators and are mostly isolated on their islands, away from the shore. Trying to send the Yips to other planets is a failed project, due to their unusual attitude to work.
How will the conflict be resolved? You never can tell in a Jack Vance novel. The dividing line between the good guys and the bad guys is never clearly marked, and many a side character will cross from one side to the other over the course of the story. But they will do it in surprising and entertaining manners.
“... an attempt to predict the unpredictable is an epistemological outrage, even in the abstract.”
>>><<<>>><<<
Is there a lesson to be learned from the misadventures in the Cadwal Chronicles? Of course, for those readers patient enough with the author’s oblique and elaborated prose. It is something that I could describe as a healthy attitude towards life, a rejection of routine and an embrace of wonder.
“And when does blandness become lethargy; when does lethargy lapse into sloth? Where then are the higher virtues? Where is romance? Achievement? Adventure? Glory? Heroism?”
Glawen, Wayness, Chilke and all the other actors, including an actual inter stellar acting troupe, are all searchers for these virtues, ready to leave the known (home, safety, family) for the unknown (space, adventure, glory, riches, fun).
... they conferred at length and in the end decided to become vagabonds and wander among the planets.
I wish them not a safe but a wonderful journey ... and remember children,
“Remain honest, steadfast and true! Adopt no weird philosophies. Avoid exotic cults and intellectual miasma.”
>>><<<>>><<<
A Romance of the Gaean Reach
Chilke bent his head and kissed her; somewhat to his surprise she reacted without constraint. Chilke repeated the gratifying process. He said: “If nothing else, it settles the nerves.”
The rain now fell at a slant. Chilke and Flitz climbed into the flitter and flew south.
Space opera with a twist of irony and with elegant language fluorishes. Throy concludes the Cadwal Chronicles, part of the larger Gaean Reach mythology. It can be read as a stand-alone story, but I would recommend reading the whole series in order of publication, as the previous two books were both excellent and a good preparation for following the dramatic events of the closing volume.
Cadwal is wild and open and beautiful, and I couldn’t bear to see it disfigured.
The planet Cadwal is a sanctuary, established by the Naturalist Society of Earth and governed by a Conservancy, according to its original Charter. But, in the centuries since its discovery, serious conflicts are brewing between the old Conservationist families on Araminta Station, the illegal immigrants on a nearby island and the heirs of the Naturalist Society on Throy, the third Cadwal continent, after Ecce and Deucas.
I will not do a recap of events from the first two episodes. The slow burning conflict between the different factions is about to blow up into all-out war. Glawen Clattuc, the young man who was the focus of the first two books, is again the principal actor, supported by his girlfriend Wayness Tamm, and by a new partner assigned to him by his boss in the local police force.
“Chilke is a practical man. He avoids fears, grief and dreary thoughts because they make him miserable.”
Glawen and Chilke are send off planet on a wild chase after the conspirators, two sisters with a personal grudge against the Conservancy, and after the rich sponsors who might support the rebellion with ships and money.
We will witness the usual by now planet hopping in private space yachts, weird places and the even weirder people who live there, majestic landscapes and dangerous flora and fauna, colourful fashions and dubious cuisines, crooks and confidence tricksters and other amoral strangers on the road, romance, adventure, mortal danger and secret cabals.
“This way and remember: the word is ‘nonchalance’!”
Glawen and Chilke have that phlegmatic, relaxed yet ready for any surprise attitude that is shared between most of Vance’s creations. They use the same formal and subversive polite speech, they have the same thirst for freedom and action. The intricacies of the actual plot become less relevant for me than the joys of exploration, the social anthropology of future cultures and the dark humor with social commentary that is particular to Vance.
“I refer to the Yips. They won’t work unless you bring out beer to the job; then after an hour or two they become merry and start skylarking and there is still no work done, but the celebration continues until all the beer is gone. Then they lie down and sleep, and nothing will induce them to resume their duties.”
The Yips are temporary workers and servants brought to Cadwal to help run the Conservancy, who now vastly outnumber the administrators and are mostly isolated on their islands, away from the shore. Trying to send the Yips to other planets is a failed project, due to their unusual attitude to work.
How will the conflict be resolved? You never can tell in a Jack Vance novel. The dividing line between the good guys and the bad guys is never clearly marked, and many a side character will cross from one side to the other over the course of the story. But they will do it in surprising and entertaining manners.
“... an attempt to predict the unpredictable is an epistemological outrage, even in the abstract.”
>>><<<>>><<<
Is there a lesson to be learned from the misadventures in the Cadwal Chronicles? Of course, for those readers patient enough with the author’s oblique and elaborated prose. It is something that I could describe as a healthy attitude towards life, a rejection of routine and an embrace of wonder.
“And when does blandness become lethargy; when does lethargy lapse into sloth? Where then are the higher virtues? Where is romance? Achievement? Adventure? Glory? Heroism?”
Glawen, Wayness, Chilke and all the other actors, including an actual inter stellar acting troupe, are all searchers for these virtues, ready to leave the known (home, safety, family) for the unknown (space, adventure, glory, riches, fun).
... they conferred at length and in the end decided to become vagabonds and wander among the planets.
I wish them not a safe but a wonderful journey ... and remember children,
“Remain honest, steadfast and true! Adopt no weird philosophies. Avoid exotic cults and intellectual miasma.”
>>><<<>>><<<
A Romance of the Gaean Reach
Chilke bent his head and kissed her; somewhat to his surprise she reacted without constraint. Chilke repeated the gratifying process. He said: “If nothing else, it settles the nerves.”
The rain now fell at a slant. Chilke and Flitz climbed into the flitter and flew south.
January 29, 2016
A neat and satisfying conclusion to the Cadwal saga. As interesting and energetic as the first two books, only shorter. We see less of Wayness Tamm, but instead we get the intriguing and elusive Flitz.
August 10, 2021
So ends the Cadwal Chronicles, published in 1991 when Vance was 75. Throy continued the adventure from the prior installment and wraps the series up in a bow. While not the strongest series, it definitely was the most melancholy, full of existential questions and reflections on the meaning of life in general. After securing the Charter for Cadwal (with minor modifications), Glawen is sent on an off-planet mission to thwart the LPFers (e.g., the opposing political faction that wanted to dismember the charter) from any other violent action. Glawen and company embark on a several planet wide quest to undermine the LPF and their collaborators with the Yips.
Again, we see some solid world building here as only Vance can do and lots of snarky dialogue that populated the entire series. Outside of the snappy back and forth repartee among several of the characters, however, the pacing was a bit plodding and you kinda knew what was going to happen from the get go. Of course, Glawen encountered various trials and tribulations along the way, as well as strange aliens and such, but still, the 'hero on a quest' trope meant that you knew he would pull through in the end. This series focused upon politics and interpersonal conflicts almost exclusively, although there were a few action scenes tossed in here and there.
Despite the relatively low rating I gave this series, if you are a Vance fan, it is worth reading. His prose can be hypnotic at times and the snarky dialogue was fun-- he was at the top of his game at least for this! I believe this was the last novel set in the Gaean Reach universe, the site of many of his novels and short stories. 2.5 rounding up!
Again, we see some solid world building here as only Vance can do and lots of snarky dialogue that populated the entire series. Outside of the snappy back and forth repartee among several of the characters, however, the pacing was a bit plodding and you kinda knew what was going to happen from the get go. Of course, Glawen encountered various trials and tribulations along the way, as well as strange aliens and such, but still, the 'hero on a quest' trope meant that you knew he would pull through in the end. This series focused upon politics and interpersonal conflicts almost exclusively, although there were a few action scenes tossed in here and there.
Despite the relatively low rating I gave this series, if you are a Vance fan, it is worth reading. His prose can be hypnotic at times and the snarky dialogue was fun-- he was at the top of his game at least for this! I believe this was the last novel set in the Gaean Reach universe, the site of many of his novels and short stories. 2.5 rounding up!
February 24, 2016
It reminded me greatly of Ports of Call. Later Vance, still beautiful to read, but having a feel that the author is cleaning out his notebook of ideas that don't merit a full adventure, and is just providing opportunities for characters to trade barbed witticisms in elaborate verbal duels. After the high point of the series in Ecce and Old Earth, this is an extended wrapping-up of affairs.
A hoped for team-up of Glawen and his quietly bethrothed, Wayness, never comes to pass as she is shunted aside to mind the home fires while Glawen conducts an extended journey in a story where he is little more than an interested observer: the machinations are behind the scenes, mostly set up previously, and once events warrant they come to a crashing conclusion. There are none of the reversals of fortune one would expect, or deception, or indeed much else.
A hoped for team-up of Glawen and his quietly bethrothed, Wayness, never comes to pass as she is shunted aside to mind the home fires while Glawen conducts an extended journey in a story where he is little more than an interested observer: the machinations are behind the scenes, mostly set up previously, and once events warrant they come to a crashing conclusion. There are none of the reversals of fortune one would expect, or deception, or indeed much else.
October 17, 2021
I was expecting Throy to be the weakest of the Cadwal books, as most reviews suggest as much, and it met that expectation. The central portion is dull and meandering and adds little to the plot, and the climax is just too rapid: "Boy, that escalated quickly" and then some. It's also inexplicable that Vance chose not to include Wayness and focus instead on the hitherto fringe character, Chilke, as the centre of the action. With all that said, there is enough brio and wit here to carry the reader along, and some very compelling set-pieces (the water-waif attack being one of Vance's best action scenes); while a disappointing end to the Cadwal series, it is for the most part an enjoyable read in its own right.
May 30, 2024
Throy was first published in 1992 so is one of Vance's later works. My hardcover copy is 248 pages, making it significantly shorter than the first two novels in the series The Cadwal Chronicles which, in my hardcover editions, were 554 pages and 326 pages each respectively. Although Throy is worth reading if one has read the other two novels, it is the weakest of the three in the series. It does not have the fascinating world building, complex plot and interesting character development of the brilliantly written Araminta Station nor does it have the mystery, suspense, drama and intriguing investigative work that is in Ecce and Old Earth. Throy does, however, provide a satisfactory conclusion to the trilogy, and anybody who has read the first two novels will certainly want to read it.
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
After our two main characters, Glawen Clattuc and Wayness Tamm, finally find the lost original Charter, The Naturalist Society is taken over by the LPFers (Life, Peace and Freedom Party) who want to open Cadwal to settlement and development. But Glawen and Wayness moved quickly and out foxed the LPFers. The old Charter has been replaced by a new much stricter Charter and The Naturalist Society is no longer in control of the planet Cadwal Having legal control of the planet and a new Charter, however, mean little if you don't have the power to enforce your authority. And the LPFers are planning to take over the planet with the help of over 100,000 Yip people and the two Straidor-Ferox gunships they have hidden. The LPFers are now split into two factions that have some conflicting interests. Both factions of the LPFers agree to coordinate efforts to arrange transportation for the Yips. They plan to move them from Lutwen Atoll to the continent of Deucas. At Araminta Station, the headquarters of The Naturalist Society, they want to overpower the members there and take control of the planet. But the two LPFer factions are in disagreement about how many Yips to allow to remain on the planet and who should be in control of Cadwal. In addition, Lewyn Barduys, a shipping magnate who lives on another planet, is the only one with the means to transport that many people. The entire plans of both factions are totally dependent on Badruys' cooperation and assistance.
Glawen and Wayness travel to the planet Rosalia and visit Shadow Valley Ranch to try to meet with Lewyn Barduys to attempt to dissuade him from assisting the LPFers. On Rosalia they encounter bizarre alien creatures called tree-waifs, water-waifs and wind-waifs. The water-waifs become especially problematic and even dangerous for them and others. The waifs are described as being "notorious for their mysterious habits. Their activities seemed motivated by caprice mingled with a weird logic, so that their antics were a constant source of horrified fascination." Will Wayness and Glawen find Barduys and persuade him not to cooperate with transporting the Yips? Time is limited because an important meeting has been scheduled for the two LPFer factions to meet with Barduys to finalize transportation plans.
I enjoyed reading Throy and thought it provided a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, The Cadwal Chronicles. But it is not as interesting as the other two novels in the series and is the least well written. The first novel of the series, Araminta Station, though, is an amazing novel that is well worth reading. And Ecce and the Old Earth is a very good follow up novel. Because The Cadwal Chronicles are long, complex and detailed, though, the series might not appeal to readers who are unfamiliar with Vance's writings. But for Vance fans The Cadwal Chronicles are essential reading.
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
After our two main characters, Glawen Clattuc and Wayness Tamm, finally find the lost original Charter, The Naturalist Society is taken over by the LPFers (Life, Peace and Freedom Party) who want to open Cadwal to settlement and development. But Glawen and Wayness moved quickly and out foxed the LPFers. The old Charter has been replaced by a new much stricter Charter and The Naturalist Society is no longer in control of the planet Cadwal Having legal control of the planet and a new Charter, however, mean little if you don't have the power to enforce your authority. And the LPFers are planning to take over the planet with the help of over 100,000 Yip people and the two Straidor-Ferox gunships they have hidden. The LPFers are now split into two factions that have some conflicting interests. Both factions of the LPFers agree to coordinate efforts to arrange transportation for the Yips. They plan to move them from Lutwen Atoll to the continent of Deucas. At Araminta Station, the headquarters of The Naturalist Society, they want to overpower the members there and take control of the planet. But the two LPFer factions are in disagreement about how many Yips to allow to remain on the planet and who should be in control of Cadwal. In addition, Lewyn Barduys, a shipping magnate who lives on another planet, is the only one with the means to transport that many people. The entire plans of both factions are totally dependent on Badruys' cooperation and assistance.
Glawen and Wayness travel to the planet Rosalia and visit Shadow Valley Ranch to try to meet with Lewyn Barduys to attempt to dissuade him from assisting the LPFers. On Rosalia they encounter bizarre alien creatures called tree-waifs, water-waifs and wind-waifs. The water-waifs become especially problematic and even dangerous for them and others. The waifs are described as being "notorious for their mysterious habits. Their activities seemed motivated by caprice mingled with a weird logic, so that their antics were a constant source of horrified fascination." Will Wayness and Glawen find Barduys and persuade him not to cooperate with transporting the Yips? Time is limited because an important meeting has been scheduled for the two LPFer factions to meet with Barduys to finalize transportation plans.
I enjoyed reading Throy and thought it provided a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, The Cadwal Chronicles. But it is not as interesting as the other two novels in the series and is the least well written. The first novel of the series, Araminta Station, though, is an amazing novel that is well worth reading. And Ecce and the Old Earth is a very good follow up novel. Because The Cadwal Chronicles are long, complex and detailed, though, the series might not appeal to readers who are unfamiliar with Vance's writings. But for Vance fans The Cadwal Chronicles are essential reading.
March 23, 2021
What's disappointing about Throy is that it represents a big missed opportunity for Vance at the height of his powers.
It doesn't have the scope of Araminta Station; it's not as interesting as Ecce and Old Earth; it doesn't break brilliant new ground in a new genre like Lyonesse; and it's not "late Vance unchained" (that would come later). It's a regression, and it feels half-hearted.
Maybe the most bitter pill to swallow is that it had a setup for something awesome and new for Vance -- a husband and wife team! Vance developed the excellent character of Wayness Tam as a protagonist in Ecce. But now for some reason he has Vancian young male hero Glawen Clattuc go off and leave her at home to set up their future domicile (seriously?!). So Glawen goes on a bog-standard adventure with a random side character instead of his rad fiancée. Blah.
It doesn't have the scope of Araminta Station; it's not as interesting as Ecce and Old Earth; it doesn't break brilliant new ground in a new genre like Lyonesse; and it's not "late Vance unchained" (that would come later). It's a regression, and it feels half-hearted.
Maybe the most bitter pill to swallow is that it had a setup for something awesome and new for Vance -- a husband and wife team! Vance developed the excellent character of Wayness Tam as a protagonist in Ecce. But now for some reason he has Vancian young male hero Glawen Clattuc go off and leave her at home to set up their future domicile (seriously?!). So Glawen goes on a bog-standard adventure with a random side character instead of his rad fiancée. Blah.
June 11, 2019
The conclusion of the trilogy, and I'm glad it's over. This is very late Vance and, to tell you the truth, it's not among his best. You see examples of his imagination for creating alien worlds, but this story is a bit too conventional and old-fashioned. It's not that old (this book was written in the early 90s) but it could have been written much earlier, and some of the values that the story takes for granted are a bit dubious for modern readers. Also, the bad guys are so dumb and incompetent that it's just too easy. I don't know. It entertained me and I read the whole thing, but I would not recommend this one unless you are a Vance completist. He has written better things.
January 2, 2019
Too much of bureaucratic struggle and too little of adventure/action.
May 28, 2024
Throy was first published in 1992 so is one of Vance's later works. Throy is is 234 pages long, making it significantly shorter than the first two novels in the series The Cadwal Chronicles. Although Throy is worth reading if one has read the other two novels, it is the weakest of the three in the series. It does not have the fascinating world building, complex plot and interesting character development of the brilliantly written Araminta Station nor does it have the mystery, suspense, drama and intriguing investigative work that is in Ecce and Old Earth. Throy does, however, provide a satisfactory conclusion to the trilogy, and anybody who has read the first two novels will certainly want to read it.
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
After our two main characters, Glawen Clattuc and Wayness Tamm, finally find the lost original Charter, The Naturalist Society is taken over by the LPFers (Life, Peace and Freedom Party) who want to open Cadwal to settlement and development. But Glawen and Wayness moved quickly and out foxed the LPFers. The old Charter has been replaced by a new much stricter Charter and The Naturalist Society is no longer in control of the planet Cadwal Having legal control of the planet and a new Charter, however, mean little if you don't have the power to enforce your authority. And the LPFers are planning to take over the planet with the help of over 100,000 Yip people and the two Straidor-Ferox gunships they have hidden. The LPFers are now split into two factions that have some conflicting interests. Both factions of the LPFers agree to coordinate efforts to arrange transportation for the Yips. They plan to move them from Lutwen Atoll to the continent of Deucas. At Araminta Station, the headquarters of The Naturalist Society, they want to overpower the members there and take control of the planet. But the two LPFer factions are in disagreement about how many Yips to allow to remain on the planet and who should be in control of Cadwal. In addition, Lewyn Barduys, a shipping magnate who lives on another planet, is the only one with the means to transport that many people. The entire plans of both factions are totally dependent on Badruys' cooperation and assistance.
Glawen and Wayness travel to the planet Rosalia and visit Shadow Valley Ranch to try to meet with Lewyn Barduys to attempt to dissuade him from assisting the LPFers. On Rosalia they encounter bizarre alien creatures called tree-waifs, water-waifs and wind-waifs. The water-waifs become especially problematic and even dangerous for them and others. The waifs are described as being "notorious for their mysterious habits. Their activities seemed motivated by caprice mingled with a weird logic, so that their antics were a constant source of horrified fascination." Will Wayness and Glawen find Barduys and persuade him not to cooperate with transporting the Yips? Time is limited because an important meeting has been scheduled for the two LPFer factions to meet with Barduys to finalize transportation plans.
I enjoyed reading Throy and thought it provided a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, The Cadwal Chronicles. But it is not as interesting as the other two novels in the series and is the least well written. The first novel of the series, Araminta Station, though, is an amazing novel that is well worth reading. And Ecce and the Old Earth is a very good follow up novel. Because The Cadwal Chronicles are long, complex and detailed, though, the series might not appeal to readers who are unfamiliar with Vance's writings. But for Vance fans The Cadwal Chronicles are essential reading.
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
After our two main characters, Glawen Clattuc and Wayness Tamm, finally find the lost original Charter, The Naturalist Society is taken over by the LPFers (Life, Peace and Freedom Party) who want to open Cadwal to settlement and development. But Glawen and Wayness moved quickly and out foxed the LPFers. The old Charter has been replaced by a new much stricter Charter and The Naturalist Society is no longer in control of the planet Cadwal Having legal control of the planet and a new Charter, however, mean little if you don't have the power to enforce your authority. And the LPFers are planning to take over the planet with the help of over 100,000 Yip people and the two Straidor-Ferox gunships they have hidden. The LPFers are now split into two factions that have some conflicting interests. Both factions of the LPFers agree to coordinate efforts to arrange transportation for the Yips. They plan to move them from Lutwen Atoll to the continent of Deucas. At Araminta Station, the headquarters of The Naturalist Society, they want to overpower the members there and take control of the planet. But the two LPFer factions are in disagreement about how many Yips to allow to remain on the planet and who should be in control of Cadwal. In addition, Lewyn Barduys, a shipping magnate who lives on another planet, is the only one with the means to transport that many people. The entire plans of both factions are totally dependent on Badruys' cooperation and assistance.
Glawen and Wayness travel to the planet Rosalia and visit Shadow Valley Ranch to try to meet with Lewyn Barduys to attempt to dissuade him from assisting the LPFers. On Rosalia they encounter bizarre alien creatures called tree-waifs, water-waifs and wind-waifs. The water-waifs become especially problematic and even dangerous for them and others. The waifs are described as being "notorious for their mysterious habits. Their activities seemed motivated by caprice mingled with a weird logic, so that their antics were a constant source of horrified fascination." Will Wayness and Glawen find Barduys and persuade him not to cooperate with transporting the Yips? Time is limited because an important meeting has been scheduled for the two LPFer factions to meet with Barduys to finalize transportation plans.
I enjoyed reading Throy and thought it provided a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, The Cadwal Chronicles. But it is not as interesting as the other two novels in the series and is the least well written. The first novel of the series, Araminta Station, though, is an amazing novel that is well worth reading. And Ecce and the Old Earth is a very good follow up novel. Because The Cadwal Chronicles are long, complex and detailed, though, the series might not appeal to readers who are unfamiliar with Vance's writings. But for Vance fans The Cadwal Chronicles are essential reading.
July 27, 2015
Sadly, Throy doesn't live up to its predecessors, Araminta Station and Ecce and Old Earth. It's still Vance, and therefore a fun read. But he doesn't seem to have put much effort into this book, which seems a somewhat half-hearted effort to tie up loose ends. There's not a lot of mystery, and the expected resolution comes about, though with more callous bloodshed than one might anticipate.
All in all, a decent and readable book. Definitely worth reading to finish up the series, but otherwise not interesting enough to be one of Vance's best.
CVIE edition
All in all, a decent and readable book. Definitely worth reading to finish up the series, but otherwise not interesting enough to be one of Vance's best.
CVIE edition
July 10, 2024
Disappointing conclusion to the trilogy. The Cadwal series started out well, but Jack Vance seems to have run out of steam towards the end, falling back on tried and true ideas which already had better outings elsewhere in his expansive bibliography. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/200...
April 18, 2023
Minder dan de voorgaande twee delen. Had het idee dat er snel naar een einde toegewerkt moest worden. Toch wel een leuk verhaal.
June 9, 2025
Written in 1992, Throy is one of Jack Vance's last novels, followed by Night Lamp (1994), Ports of Call (1998), and Lurulu (2004). Along with the Throy's immediate prequel Ecce and Old Earth (1991), I consider these books Vance's late works. All of them are very similar; all of them exhibit Vance's characteristic style, humor, and creativity. And yet there is something missing. Sadly, all of them are a bit slow, consisting of long sequences of loosely related adventures on various worlds, something captured in the title "Ports of Call". By comparison to his tight novels and short stories of the classic years, these stories feel a little flabby, even indulgent. Which is fine because more Vance is a good thing.
Some of my favorite bands continue to produce new albums long past their heydays: McCartney, Townshend, the Stones, Sting. Perhaps John Mayall is the best example. It is hard to point to any diminishment in the quality of their songs. In terms of technique and craft, they are arguably better now than when they were young. And yet, I go back always to their earlier albums, and it those songs which drew the bulk of their audiences. So it is with these late Vance books. Read them, savor them, but don't be surprised if your primary response is to be reminded of his earlier classics.
Notice that I did not include Araminta Station, the first book in the trilogy ending with Throy, in late Vance. That one is notably better than its sequels, and despite its length is a quick, highly engaging read, and of my favorites. The only flaw with that book is that is not standalone and the sequels do not live up to it.
Some of my favorite bands continue to produce new albums long past their heydays: McCartney, Townshend, the Stones, Sting. Perhaps John Mayall is the best example. It is hard to point to any diminishment in the quality of their songs. In terms of technique and craft, they are arguably better now than when they were young. And yet, I go back always to their earlier albums, and it those songs which drew the bulk of their audiences. So it is with these late Vance books. Read them, savor them, but don't be surprised if your primary response is to be reminded of his earlier classics.
Notice that I did not include Araminta Station, the first book in the trilogy ending with Throy, in late Vance. That one is notably better than its sequels, and despite its length is a quick, highly engaging read, and of my favorites. The only flaw with that book is that is not standalone and the sequels do not live up to it.
January 15, 2023
A satisfying conclusion to the Cadwal Chronicles, albeit a bit too slim (I always leave a Vance series yearning for more!). Glawen gets a raise and is now a commander of Bureau B (space cops!) and investigates the warring factions of the LPFers who had previously teamed up to take down the Charter and build themselves palatial estates. We also get to know Flitz and Barduys, introduced in Ecce and Old Earth, construction magnates who have been backstabbed by the libs of Cadwal.
This series has a crotchety old man vibe to it, as our heroes want things to stay the same (preserving the natural beauty of their planet), and their enemies are hypocritical snobs who act like they care, but will always put themselves first. At the end of the day, the message of not losing your values in your quest to attain your goals is well-explored, as well as the caution to not get fooled by pretty words with nothing behind them. The vast amount of destruction and murder by those who claim to love peace is notable, as is its counterpart, unfashionably humble honesty.
This series has a crotchety old man vibe to it, as our heroes want things to stay the same (preserving the natural beauty of their planet), and their enemies are hypocritical snobs who act like they care, but will always put themselves first. At the end of the day, the message of not losing your values in your quest to attain your goals is well-explored, as well as the caution to not get fooled by pretty words with nothing behind them. The vast amount of destruction and murder by those who claim to love peace is notable, as is its counterpart, unfashionably humble honesty.
March 11, 2022
In dit deel rondt de schrijver de lijnen af die hij heeft uitgezet in de vorige twee delen. Hierdoor is het misschien wat korter, maar hij tovert geen nieuwe konijnen uit zijn hoge hoed. De gebeurtenissen hier in beschreven, volgen logisch uit alle voorgaande gebeurtenissen en beschreven personages.
Ik krijg ook niet het gevoel dat vanwege de lengte van het boek (ongeveer de helft van ieder voorgaand deel) de schrijver het finale deel in zeven haasten bijeen heeft geschreven. Vance is Vance. Zijn onderkoelde humor is duidelijk aanwezig, samen met zijn prachtige beschrijvingen van landschappen en gedragingen van mensen.
Ik krijg ook niet het gevoel dat vanwege de lengte van het boek (ongeveer de helft van ieder voorgaand deel) de schrijver het finale deel in zeven haasten bijeen heeft geschreven. Vance is Vance. Zijn onderkoelde humor is duidelijk aanwezig, samen met zijn prachtige beschrijvingen van landschappen en gedragingen van mensen.
January 5, 2026
Well, I made it through this Jack Vance trilogy. This one moved along a bit more than Ecce, but not so much more that I found it particularly interesting or more compelling than the other two entries.
The story of Cadwal and its inhabitants wraps up nicely. Justice is done to those who had wronged Glawen and his father, the Conservancy is assured, and the Yips are dealt with. There's a fair bit of travel off world and that travel is pretty typical of other Vance.
I'm glad to be done with it. The series was interesting, but certainly not my favorite of Vance's works. I think I'm taking a break from Vance for a bit. I don't have much left of his to read anyhow.
The story of Cadwal and its inhabitants wraps up nicely. Justice is done to those who had wronged Glawen and his father, the Conservancy is assured, and the Yips are dealt with. There's a fair bit of travel off world and that travel is pretty typical of other Vance.
I'm glad to be done with it. The series was interesting, but certainly not my favorite of Vance's works. I think I'm taking a break from Vance for a bit. I don't have much left of his to read anyhow.
February 11, 2019
7/10. Media de los 30 libros leídos del autor : 7/10.
Nada menos que 30 libros leí de Vance, la mayoría de joven lector de CF en editoriales míticas: Orbis, Edhasa, Ultramar, Nova,...
De imaginación desbordante, creaba mundos y sociedades como churros, desbordando imaginación y superando nuestra capacidad de asombro. Una media de 7/10 en tantos libros no es fácil de mantener.
Creó muchas sagas (ninguna mala o aburrida) y me quedo con la de "Tschai", que son 4 libros. Si hubiera de escoger uno que no sea saga, pues "Lámpara de Noche".
Un gran clásico.
Nada menos que 30 libros leí de Vance, la mayoría de joven lector de CF en editoriales míticas: Orbis, Edhasa, Ultramar, Nova,...
De imaginación desbordante, creaba mundos y sociedades como churros, desbordando imaginación y superando nuestra capacidad de asombro. Una media de 7/10 en tantos libros no es fácil de mantener.
Creó muchas sagas (ninguna mala o aburrida) y me quedo con la de "Tschai", que son 4 libros. Si hubiera de escoger uno que no sea saga, pues "Lámpara de Noche".
Un gran clásico.
May 29, 2019
The planet charter is safe but the bad guys are still on the loose and Glawen is out to sort things out as he follows the trail and ties up the loose ends from the previous two books. This last book was the shortest and weakest of the three Cadwal books but still has plenty of Vance's style and humour.
February 15, 2021
The third part of the trilogy is not so awesome as the first one or the second one, especially since main problems have been already solved... this one is more about cleaning the table, joining the loose ends and to marry even the unexpected protagonists. However, since this is Jack Vance, it is still full of imagination, sharp witticisms and baroque language.
October 5, 2017
Final volume of this trilogy. Although it answers many unanswered questions, I still get the feeling that Vance was done with this story. It is not as intricate and elaborate as the previous two volumes but merely wraps things up.
December 26, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyable ending to a great series
October 11, 2017
Il migliore dei libri di questo ciclo, quello più movimentato.
June 26, 2019
Magic
As always, Jack’s worlds pass by us in A magic whirlwind of caleidoscopic colours and characters, making us return to our own world and finding it rather bland and mundane.
As always, Jack’s worlds pass by us in A magic whirlwind of caleidoscopic colours and characters, making us return to our own world and finding it rather bland and mundane.
October 3, 2020
It's okay
February 27, 2021
Great Trilogy wrap-up.
November 1, 2022
A (too) quick wrap up of an entertaining series.
This could have been more interesting. Also, why did Wayness get no POV chapters? A waste if you ask me.
This could have been more interesting. Also, why did Wayness get no POV chapters? A waste if you ask me.
July 17, 2024
[Rating: 4.5/5.0]
February 18, 2025
JV is my favorite writer but this book was a rush job - too short and not enough Wayness in it. Still, the series overall I would rate as a 4 or 4.5.
January 21, 2026
I enjoyed this more than the first two books in the series, but ultimately, the Cadwal series left me disappointed. Friction between groups of people is a fundamental source of humor and energy throughout Vance's oeuvre, but his stories often leave a bad taste behind when he follows these ideas deeper with seeming earnestness. In this series, attention is repeatedly drawn to the idea that cosmopolitanism can only reach so far; pluralism of disparate groups is rejected, and an ideology of keeping cultures separated is positively invoked.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews