Suldrun’s Garden

Lyonesse: Book 1

By: Jack Vance

Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins

Length: 18 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

The Elder Isles, located in what is now the Bay of Biscay off the coast of Old Gaul, are made up of 10 contending kingdoms, all vying with each other for control. At the centre of much of the intrigue is Casmir, the ruthless and ambitious king of Lyonnesse. His beautiful but otherworldly daughter, Suldrun, is part of his plans. He intends to cement an alliance or two by marrying her well. But Suldrun is as determined as he and defies him. Casmir coldly confines her to the overgrown garden that she loves to frequent, and it is here that meets her love and her tragedy unfolds. Political intrigue, magic, war, adventure and romance are interwoven in a rich and sweeping tale set in a brilliantly realized fabled land.

©1983 Jack Vance (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“(Vance) gives you glimpses of entire worlds with just perfectly turned language. If he’d been born south of the border, he’d be up for a Nobel Prize.” (Dan Simmons)

“Vance has the narrative force, the willingness to look very coldly at violence and cruelty, to not shy away…. He has an amazing ear and writes a beautiful sentence.” (Michael Chabon)

Wow

Brothers Grimm meets Tales of Hoffman, in the most polished language one could hope for.

Wonderful story with beautiful details

This classic fantasy is amazing. Highly recommended! Also the rest of the trilogy. Its lovely when a story weaves together with such rich descriptions and ornamentation of language. I am thinking of making a cookbook based on the recipes.

Terrible writing, topped by an awful narrator.

Just couldn't bring myself to finish it. Worst book I've listened to so far.

Very slow

This was one of the slowest books. It was interesting at times, but overall I found that I never really cared about what happened. I won't be getting the sequels.

Bored and confused

I'm not sure how this story can appeal to anyone. On the one hand, the level of detail around places and dates is completely over the top and the formal tone implies a novel for adults. The story, on the other hand, is more of a fairy tale than a true adult fantasy. The monotone reading makes it even more boring. I added a star for detail, but who really cares when you can't even finish listening to the book?

Not my cup of tea

I bought this book on audible because it came recommended as one of the greatest fantasy books of all time. I don't understand why it gets that recommendation. I didn't like the way that characters in this book have little meaningful interaction. In fact, when the author mannages to finally get his two main characters together (spending half of the book to get there), he skips over interraction and then immediately zooms ahead in time. Maybe some people love lots of description, but I prefer reading of human connection. So this book is not for me. I moved on to some LLoyd Alexander instead, and was much more satisfied.

Narrator issues

I had a hard time listening to this narrator and couldn't get through the first chapter.

Honestly, I don't understand the high reviews

The first 10-ish hours of this book more often than not felt like just a very boring history book. Once we got past that, there was minimal character development. Stuff happened to the characters, and they simply went on their way. None of the characters were written in such a way that I care what happens to them next. I honestly want my credit and 17 hours back.

Tedious and the most interesteing character dies

Although I enjoyed parts of this book, as others point out, towards the end, I found it a compilation of fairy tales and role playing plots. The early death of one of the characters I hoped for an interesting development, was rather unbelievable, and I never really found the characters coming alive. Well read.
For now I won't listen to any more of the series.

Couldn't finish it.

This is one of the most boring books I have ever attempted to read or listen to. I kept thinking it would get better, but after 1 chapters of drivel, I gave up for the 2nd time in my life. it was that bad.