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Jack Vance's novella, "The Dragon Masters," which won a Hugo in 1963, must be given handicap points for its age. If it's reminiscent of various Star Trek episodes, it's worth remembering that it predates Star Trek. Generally, it stands up well. It gave me a feeling that's rare for me today of enjoying getting lost of a pulp fantasy/sci fi world (as opposed to finding it stereotyped and irritating).
The story would be classed as science fantasy today--one of those Pern-like future medieval worlds--and concerns a battle between medievalistic humans and invaders from space. Its focus is plot, with evolutionary themes, and its characters range from interesting but not fully explored to annoying cardboard.
Its most interesting and original aspect is its dialogue with the evolutionary science fiction of Olaf Stapledon, particularly his Last and First Men, which Vance invokes in so many words.
( Spoilers for Stapledon and Light Spoilers for Vance )
On the whole, this story kept me engaged and reading (which is no mean feat these days). I would recommend it to fans of science fantasy or old-school SF classics or to folks studying evolutionary discourse in fiction (you know who you are).
The story would be classed as science fantasy today--one of those Pern-like future medieval worlds--and concerns a battle between medievalistic humans and invaders from space. Its focus is plot, with evolutionary themes, and its characters range from interesting but not fully explored to annoying cardboard.
Its most interesting and original aspect is its dialogue with the evolutionary science fiction of Olaf Stapledon, particularly his Last and First Men, which Vance invokes in so many words.
( Spoilers for Stapledon and Light Spoilers for Vance )
On the whole, this story kept me engaged and reading (which is no mean feat these days). I would recommend it to fans of science fantasy or old-school SF classics or to folks studying evolutionary discourse in fiction (you know who you are).
