9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fool's Errant--a good book, 4 Mar 2001
By Richard S Cloud - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Fools Errant (Mass Market Paperback)
Young Filidor Vesh whiles away his days, seeking shallow pursuits until his uncle, the Archon, sends for him. Unable to escape Gaskarth, the small man(or dwarf)his uncle has sent, young Filidor Vesh finds himself traveling unwillingly from country to country one step behind the mysterious Archon. At each country young Filidor blunders to find himself unwillingly, and generally unawaringly helping the local citizenry. But even Gaskarth becomes worried when a magician decides that he wants something in Filidor's possession. Even worse, young Filidor soon realizes that the fate of the world may rest upon the shoulders of a dwarf--and himself--a fool errant.
This is a delightful first book. While it is not as original as Vance's "Jack of Shadows", it has that fantasy-science fictiony flavor. It is set in a world on the cusp of both magic and science. While it is not as funny generally as Robert Aspirin's work, it has its moments. This book falls short of truly excellent in that it has slow spots (such as when Filidor reads about Osfeo, a former Archon)and the plotting is not totally seemless. However, it is a great first book. I would definately be inclined to buy Matthew Hughes' second book.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantasy in the Jack Vance style, 2 Mar 2001
By Mike Berro - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Fools Errant (Mass Market Paperback)
A delightful picaresque adventure in the style of Jack Vance's THE DYING EARTH series, especially Cugel's Saga. A reluctant Pilgrim's Progress through a variety of cultures and societies found in Earth's far future.
The distinction between science fiction and fantasy in this milieu is blurred, and in fact, irrelevent. The setting is believable and appropriate either way you choose to look at it. The story is exciting and humourous, and the dialogue witty and sparkling (and more than a little reminiscent of PG Wodehouse.).
I feel that this book is both suitable and appealing for all ages.
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Refreshingly funny !!!, 20 May 2002
By Luk Schoonaert - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Fools Errant (Mass Market Paperback)
Being a Jack Vance fan it was inevitable to run into Matthew Hughes at a certain point... And where I feared that the comparison with Jack Vance might put the expectations very high, Matt succeeded in creating a wonderful fantasy/SF world with all it's funny inhabitants and colorful places.
It's the first time that a new writer manages to catch the Vance feeling in his writing ! Especially the magnificent blend of fantasy with science fiction is unique in Matt's decor's !
Well done Matthew !!! We want more !!!
PS. The second book "Fool me twice" is even better !!!