Gaean Reach

The Gaean Reach is the setting of an informal grouping of a number of science fiction books by author Jack Vance (who has never categorized his books in such a manner).

The Gaean Reach consists of all worlds colonized by humans, among which trade and travel flow freely for the most part. Some of these worlds are advanced and cosmopolitan, such as Alphanor; others, like Thamber, are inhabited by shipwrecked and forgotten people, who have reverted to feudalism. Some, like Wyst, are undeniably strange in their culture and customs.

The period of the Gaean Reach spans several centuries, if not millennia, at an indeterminate time in the future. Specific dates are given in the early books of the Demon Princes series, but not in the others. The human civilization in the Demon Princes is the Oikumene, which can be seen as a precursor or variant to the Gaean Reach. The Reach is mentioned in the three Alastor books, the Cadwal Chronicles, Ports of Call and Lurulu. Singleton works are also included, such as Emphyrio, Night Lamp, and possibly The Gray Prince.