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Lurulu by Jack Vance
01/06/2007 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
pub: TOR/Forge. 204 page enlarged paperback. Price: $13.95 (US), $16.95 (CAN). ISBN: 978-0-312-87279-8. Buy Lurulu in the USA - or Buy Lurulu in the UK  check out website: www.tor-forge.com
'Lurulu' is the sequel to 'Ports Of Call' although there is no need to read the first book. The word 'Lurulu' is a mythological word that isn't exactly explained but appears to be looking for personal nirvana. I came away from this book wondering if I ought to look for mine cos I don't think it was in this book I'm sorry to say.
The book follows the adventures of the cargo spaceship Glicca and its crew as they go about their business across the star systems. They trade off cargo and such being careful of local customs wherever they go...most of the time. In many respects, for all the difference the spaceship makes they could easily have been on one planet. There is so much talking and even repetition that any action in between gets quickly lost. Several times I had to look back and work out there had been a conclusion before they moved off.
For someone of Jack Vance's reputation, maybe I expected a lot more. None of the characters really stood out. They just did they're jobs and moved on, stopping only when there was some dilemma the local inhabitants wanted some outside observation from. It certainly didn't match the back cover hype.
I almost think it's the kind of book that accountants and dockworkers would appreciate more than the average SF fan who would probably want to see a lot more going on. It's a gentle book rather than reading for excitement. That's not to say it isn't readable. Vance certainly has a way with words and if you like Bradbury then you'll probably like this one as well.
GF Willmetts
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