An acknowledged master of highly imaginative work in SF and Fantasy, Jack Vance was nonetheless a practical and realistic man, having a perspective colored by personal knowledge of hardship. As a youth, he went hungry during lean years of the Great Depression, and his early manhood was swept by the spectacle of World War II. He had a scholarly interest in history, and an easy relationship with many walks of life; his outlook was that of a tolerant, civilized man having broad perspectives over the social types, moods and attitudes of his day.
Vance’s mysteries remain relatively unknown, but they deserve attention. Woven into locales Vance lived in and knew intimately, they deliver a nearly historical quality of authenticity.
In Oakland and Berkeley of the early 1950’s, The House on Lily Street concerns a sharp-dressing welfare worker, who disappears while investigating reports of extortion among his clients. As the police case progresses, we look in on bohemian parties, sample the music scene, and glimpse life through the eyes of the rich and poor of the time.
The House on Lily Street is the story of a corrupt and narcissistic young man, born to privilege, who dallies among the poor—and gets in over his head.
The House on Lily Street is Volume 17 of the Spatterlight Press Signature Series.Released in the centenary of the author's birth, this handsome new collectionis based upon the prestigious Vance Integral Edition. Select volumes enjoyup-to-date maps, and many are graced with freshly-written forewords contributedby a distinguished group of authors. Each book bears a facsimile of theauthor's signature and a previously-unpublished photograph, chosen from family archives for the period the book was written. These uniquefeatures will be appreciated by all, from seasoned Vance collector to new reader sampling the spectrum of this author's influential work forthe first time. – John Vance II
