Young Jaro Fath-his violent past shrouded in amnesia-is raised by adoptive parents to follow in their scholarly footsteps. Instead, driven by desire to learn his origins, Jaro becomes a spaceman and sets off on a voyage of self-discovery.

His quest brings him to the decadent world Fader, whose proud but indolent upper class live in fear of bio-engineered slaves who cater to their every whim. On Fader, Jaro will confront the dire secret of his origin.

• Matthew Hughes

Night Lamp is Volume 58 of the Spatterlight Press Signature Series.Released in the centenary of the author’s birth, this handsome new collectionis based upon the prestigious Vance Integral Edition. Select volumes enjoyup-to-date maps, and many are graced with freshly-written forewords contributedby a distinguished group of authors. Each book bears a facsimile of theauthor’s signature and a previously-unpublished photograph, chosen from family archives for the period the book was written. These uniquefeatures will be appreciated by all, from seasoned Vance collector to new reader sampling the spectrum of this author’s influential work forthe first time.