EMPHYRIO By Jack Vance

Published : 1969
Pages : 208
Overall Mark : 6/10

In the distant future it has become illegal on the planet Halma to mass produce any object, and to do so is punishable by death. When his father Amiante is executed for using a camera to process ancient documents detailing the legend of Emphyrio, Ghyl Tarvoke decides to find out the full story about the legend and try to use it to bring down the elite of his planet and bring an end to the oppressive system that controls everyone's lives.

This is a nice idea, but the execution is a little sketchy. The first half of the book seems quite confused, but thankfully everything seems to come together at the end with some much needed explanation. Once you can see passed the confusing start, and the habit of leaping about in the anrrative, this is an enjoyable novel which could easily be used as Communist propoganda.