Wyst: Alastor 1716

The Connatic rules the three thousand inhabited planets of the Alastor Cluster from his palace Lusz on the world Numenes. Though his military force can bring considerable might to bear where necessary, the Connatic often wanders among his subjects incognito, intervening to right a wrong, or leaving well enough alone. For a century, the people of Arrabus on the planet Wyst have lived by the Egalistic Manifold, in a society which minimizes toil but guarantees adequate food and shelter to all. Jantiff Ravensroke performs the required thirteen hours of ‘drudge’ per week, experiencing the frivolity that otherwise characterizes Arrabin existence—but discovers a conspiracy to control the wealth of Arrabus, and threaten the life of the Connatic himself. With unerring insight into human nature, world-builder Jack Vance tells a story of treachery and intrigue, in one of his most controversial works. Wyst is Book II in the Alastor sequence, and Volume 48 of the Spatterlight Press Signature Series. Released in the centenary of the author's birth, this handsome new collection is based upon the prestigious Vance Integral Edition. Select volumes enjoy up-to-date maps, and many are graced with freshly-written forewords contributed by a distinguished group of authors. Each book bears a facsimile of the author's signature and a previously-unpublished photograph, chosen from family archives for the period the book was written. These unique features will be appreciated by all, from seasoned Vance collector to new reader sampling the spectrum of this author's influential work for the first time. – John Vance II