Son of the Tree

by Jack Vance

Paperback edition of "Son of the Tree" from Jack Vance

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Space Opera

128 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1951

About the author

Aka John Holbrook Vance, Peter Held, John Holbrook, Ellery Queen, John van See, Alan Wade.

The author was born in 1916 and educated at the University of California, first as a mining engineer, then majoring in physics and finally in journalism. During the 1940s and 1950s, he contributed widely to science fiction and fantasy magazines. His first novel, The Dying Earth , was published in 1950 to great acclaim. He won both of science fiction's most coveted trophies, the Hugo and Nebula awards. He also won an Edgar Award for his mystery novel The Man in the Cage . He lived in Oakland, California in a house he designed.

Reviews

[mark monday · Rating 4 out of 5]

the wildly over the top (and awesome) cover may lead those unfamiliar with the author to believe that this will be an equally wild and over the top man versus monster adventure. not the case. this superb thriller is Vance at his smooth, streamlined best: wall to wall ideas to contemplate, all delivered in prose that is stylish and witty. capable everyman Joe Smith (that name!) is far from his homeworld Earth, ensnared in the political machinations occurring between various factions on various planets. religious fanaticism, decadent elite rule over dull conformist plebes, and mercantilist liberalism versus belligerent imperialism all have their turn at being reviewed and then scorned by a disinterested Joe Smith and a surprisingly revolutionary Jack Vance. we also have an excellent pair of foils for Joe: two extremely attractive, high-handed, and insular aristocrats, both basically psychopathic; Joe immediately feels an visceral and violent aversion to the fellow, while of course finding the equally callous lady of the pair to be infinitely charming and loveable. the book's cover is metaphorical: all should fear the monstrous power of religious dogma as a colonialist tool for mass oppression. in this case, religion is a gigantic tree that literally devours its foolish followers.

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Son of the Tree" is a 125 page novella that was written in 1950 and first published in 1951 in the magazine Thrilling Wonder Stories. It was issued in book form in 1964 as an Ace double or twofer with "The Houses of Iszm." In 1974 "Son of the Tree" was published as a stand alone novella. It is currently in print in a high quality paperback edition from Spatterlight Press along with Vance's "The Houses of Iszm."
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...

Joe Smith, from Earth, has been traveling as a passenger on spaceships for two years, going from planet to planet until his money would run low. Then he would stop and work long enough to buy passage to continue his journey. His travels are in pursuit of a man named Harry Creath. We learn that Smith is in love with a woman on Earth and she might be part of the reason for Smith trying to locate Creath. Smith's motivation is not made clear, however, until toward the end of the story when there is an ironic twist.

Having run out of funds again, Smith ends up on the planet Kyril. He plans to stay on Kyril only long enough to earn money to continue his pursuit. On Kyril there is a gigantic Tree that is five miles wide and twelve miles tall and is cared for by the planetary rulers and religious leaders called Druids. This Tree of Life is worshipped by the Druids and the local population called the Laity. There are 200 billion Laity who are peasant farmers and laborers and only two million Druids who live in comparative luxury and are in charge of the rites and ceremonies involved in worshiping the Tree. The Laity believe that if they work very hard and are model citizens that when they die they will be absorbed by the Tree and will become one of Tree's giant leaves.

Smith is befriended by a Mang agent named Hableyat. He is a representative or spy from the nearby planet Mangtse and offers to help Smith obtain employment. It is assumed that anyone from Mangtse who visits Kyril is a spy and visa versa. Both planets are competing economically and ideologically in a manner that somewhat resembles the old Soviet/U.S cold war.

One of the most recent major issues between the governments of Kyril and Mangtse is that each of them want to form economic ties with the new government on the nearby planet Ballenkarch. The entire population of Ballenkarch has recently been united under a new prince. The prince is importing machinery to industrialize the planet. On Kyril they have no industry so they are dependent on their adversary the Mangs for products. Ballenkarch also has many valuable mineral and agricultural resources. The Druids hope to form an alliance with the Ballenkarchs by converting the new prince and his citizens to worshiping the Tree of Life. The Mang, in the meantime, want to prevent this from happening and hope to form their own economic and political alliance with the new prince of Ballenkarch. But the Mang are not united and have an extreme political division between the two most powerful political parties.

Smith is very skilled mechanically so is able to obtain a job maintaining and operating air cars for a Druid priestess named Elfane. One of Elfane's first assignments for Smith is to help dispose of the body of a Mang representative who appears to have been assassinated. Despite his efforts to avoid politics, Smith ends up in the middle of the intense rivalry between the governments of Kyril and Mangtse. Smith suddenly gains some funds after he is bribed to keep silent about the assassination. He then learns that he is about to be murdered so Smith quickly leaves Kyril on a ship to Ballenkarch.

But Smith's troubles are not left behind. Much to his dismay he finds that many of the passengers are government agents or even persons he met on Kyril. These include Priestess Elfane, Hableyat and a Druid who back on Kyril had wanted to kill Smith. Smith's life once again is in danger, and he barely avoids being electrocuted. Having his life threatened, however, does not prevent Smith from being attracted to his former employer, Priestess Elfane. But the gap between him and the priestess is immense because she is a Druid priestess totally devoted to her religion and her planet. She might even be involved with others who are plotting Smith's demise.

The plot involves espionage, murder, political intrigue, economics, religion, cultural issues and sociological factors. Eventually it leads to the uncovering of the mystery of the true nature of the Tree of Life and the reason for Smith's long pursuit of Creath. This early effort by Vance is entertaining, enjoyable and easy to read, but it is not as well written, deeply thought out, or fully developed as many of his other writings. Vance fans will probably want to read "Son of the Tree." I would not really recommend it to readers who are new to Vance's writings, though, because there are many better Vance works to begin with. I've read this four times and rate it a 4-.

[Mohammed Abdikhader Firdhiye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is early Vance space opera that i didnt expect to be this interesting because of some of early SF from the 40s, 50s lack his unique style,language. This one stands up well 60 years later because it has all hallmarks of his better SF novels. A compelling hero of the famous Vance type, far far future human cultures like The Mangs, the Druids, Beldan. Vintage space opera that might not reach the levels of his best work but its great to read smart story that explores different human cultures, their difference, while it is at the same time thrilling, fun story to read.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vintage Vance.
Makes one wonder why books these days are four times a thick and require three sequels.

[Metaphorosis · Rating 3 out of 5]

reviews.metaphorosis.com

Son of the Tree
Jack Vance

3.5 stars


I bought my very nice (and very expensive) Compact Vance Integral Edition in part because it was the only way to get some difficult to find titles, and some that I simply hadn't come across. Son of the Tree is one of the latter, and I looked forward to reading it. It wasn't a disappointment, though it's also not among Vance's best.

This is relatively early Vance, before had perfected his signature style. Still, the story has some of his usual touches. A traveler (Joe Smith) from Earth comes to the planet Kyril, home to a giant Tree served by the Druids, in turn served by the lower classes. Joe immediately finds himself in a complex and dangerous web of espionage and conspiracy involving three stellar systems tightly bound by economics. Joe, of course, has his own goals to serve as he tries to steer clear of plotting factions.

This is a fairly straightforward adventure story. It's interesting, but without the weird depths of Vance's later work. Much of what happens is too simplistic or convenient to carry much impact, and the ending is far too pat. Nonetheless, it's an enjoyable story and a pleasant read.

For those looking to while away some time with classic SF adventure, this is worth checking out. If you're looking for the more classic Vance, save this book for another time.

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is minor Vance but still hugely entertaining. In a largely human galactic society that is so complex that Earth is believed to be a myth, a man from Earth gets caught in the struggle between three planetary societies. The planet of the Druids is dominated by an enormous tree, and they plot with their rivals, the Mang, to subsume the primitive civilization of the resource-rich third planet.

As usual, Vance's descriptions are highly ornamented and his societies quite novel. He manages to achieve in barely 100 pages, more texture to his societies than some writers achieve in thousands of pages.

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

First hardcover edition. 700 copies printed of which this is one of 500 trade copies,

[Adam Dawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 / 5 (rounded up to 3) for 'Son Of The Tree' by Jack Vance

I love Vance's 'Tales Of The Dying Earth' - the whimsical stories, the gentle, dry humour and the flowery, almost poetic dialogue suit the sci-fi/fantasy setting perfectly, and the worldbuilding is fantastic. I could read that book over and over again and never get bored. I had hoped to enjoy this book just as much - it's the first small, standalone sci-fi novel of Vance's that I've read - and it was ok, just ok.

We follow Joe Smith on an ambiguous personal mission as he gets sidetracked and embroiled in an ongoing battle of espionage between the Mangs and the Druids - two separate offshoots of the human race, whilst he also battles his feelings towards Margaret (old flame) and Elfane (tempestuous she-Druid).

It has the sci-fi/fantasy setting, it has some wry humour, and it has flowery dialogue. It has excellent worldbuilding...but it just didn't seem to click. I often found myself bored and skimming and occasionally getting through the book felt like somewhat of a chore.

Don't get me wrong, it's packed with great concepts, and some interesting characters and the story is so-so, but it just feels like barely anything happens. I didn't feel invested in any of the characters at all, and I just didn't really care about what was happening, as the pages turned.

I hope this is a rare occurrence and I'll enjoy more Vance books in the future, but perhaps TOTDE was the rare occurrence, and perhaps I'm not suited to Vance's writing style.

2.5 / 5

[Steve Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Vance stories go, this one is more plot and intrigue and pure entertainment, though the sociology of Kyril and its rivals is by no means neglected.

But it is simply incorrect to describe it as part of a series: it is a stand-alone story. The confusion presumably arises because it appeared together with The Houses of Iszm and The Brains of Earth in a Daw collection entitled Nopalgarth, which is Vance's preferred title for the latter story. Otherwise, they have nothing to do with each other.

[Allengeer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book, I’m not sure I fully grasp the mechanics of the core power triangle that serves as the core conflict of the book. Somewhat interesting world building, but I felt more could have been done to describe the homeworlds of the three major societies. Mediocre.

[Ytse · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many pages (125) for a light years away intergalactic love triangle story, yes. 3.5/10

[Leif · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another minor Vance: half planetside escapades, half space-based murder mystery, all espionage and political thriller. Certainly not in the first rank of his works, but a diversion enough.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent storyline, as you would expect from this Author.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars truthfully. I didn’t hate it, but other than the big ol’ tree…there just wasn’t much there. Suppose that’s a bit unfair for a novella, but there it is.

[Jeffrey Henning · Rating 1 out of 5]

For most of the book, the hero is someone that things happen to, not someone who makes things happen. The universe building is interesting, but the idea that you could spend a few years taking commercial spaceflights from one planet to another until you get to a place hundreds of lightyears away where no one believes Earth is real seems improbable.

[Roddy Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

'THE TREE FROM ANOTHER GALAXY

"A vast, breathing, sappy mass, a trunk five miles in diameter, and twelve miles from the great kneed roots to the ultimate bud - the 'Vital Exprescience' in the cant of the Druids. The Tree ruled the horizons, shouldered aside the clouds, and wore thunder and lightning like a wreath of tinsels. It was the soul of life, trampling and vanquishing the inert, and Joe understood how it had come to be worshipped by the first marvelling settlers on Kyril."


For Joe Smith, the sight of the Tree was the beginning of an experience that would forever change his life. He had journeyed into space in search of a man, but what he found was a tree, a huge sky-dominating tree that held the power of life and death over millions of slaves.'


Blurb from the 77525 Ace Doubles paperback edition


Three of the colony worlds so far from Earth that Earth has become a myth are Kyril, Mangtse and Ballenkarch.
On Kyril there is one giant tree which is worshipped by a theocracy of Druids who preside over a population of slaves.
To this world has come Joe Smith of Earth, a man on the hunt for another Earth native, Henry Creach, who has abandoned Margaret, a woman with whom Joe is in love.
Once on the surface of Kyril he gains employment repairing and driving floating cars for the Druids. When he is requested to provide transport for the Priestess Elfane very late at night, he presumes that the priestess has some romantic assignation.
However, there is a dead body in the Priestess' room, that of a Mang, and she and the Druid Manaolo, wish Joe to drive them out over the ocean and dump it in the sea.
Joe refuses. Once they have left, the Druid Hableyat appears and confesses that he murdered the Mang (for political reasons you don't really need to know) and takes Joe to his rooms.
Hableyatt offers Joe a new job, ensuring that a cutting from the One Tree is taken across space to the planet Ballenkarch where, if it flourishes, the Druids can begin worshipping another tree, and cement relations with Ballenkarch. This is not to the liking of some of the Mangs who are divided into two political factions who have opposing views on how to deal with the expansionist plans of the Druids.
It's a clever and colourful piece which contains some of Vance's regular themes and motifs. It is somewhat baroque, and serves to define Vance's skill at portraying sometimes decadent class or caste-obsessed future societies. We have the absurd religion which, in this case, has a terrible secret at its heart. Vance is always keen to point out that even intelligent people will believe anything if they are brought up to believe it within a confined community.
Vance seldom paid any attention to any technical or scientific details, but it’s a testament to his writing skill that it doesn’t really matter. Here he makes the concept of a vast space station, set at a point equidistant between the three planets and serving the needs of human and alien travellers, remarkably plausible.
We also have the maverick hero who doesn't really get on or fit in with everyone else, which is a regular feature of Vance’s novels.
It's a fascinating and neglected early work which deserves to be more widely read.

[Aus10 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I expected after looking at that cover lol but it was a good with Political irony and strange Planet's. A quick read.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humanity had spread throughout the galaxy. Earth was no longer considered more than a fairy tale. Every little cult had settled their own planet and developed from there.

Into this come Earth man Joe Smith. He's following another Earth man, Harry Creath, always one step behind. He works and saves passage to the next stop, never quite catching up. He's now a thousand light years from Earth.

Kyril and Mangst are two planets at odds with each other, while needing each at the same time.

Kyril is the planet of the Druids, a gigantic tree the center of their religion. The Priests control the five billion laity with promises of becoming part of the Tree, literally, upon death.

The Mang are made up of several factions seeking control. Joe Smith gets caught up in their machinations much against his will when one ambassador, Hableyat, kills another and dumps the body in the chamber of a Druid priestess, Alfane, Elfane.

Joe's hustled off Kyril just ahead of the executioners. To his dismay, he finds Elfane and her escort, Manaolo, aboard the ship headed for Ballenkarch. Joe already knew Harry had been seen there.

Ballenkarch was a barbarous planet united under one Prince and industrialization under way. Both Kyril and Mang wanted in, allied with a planet on it's way up. A seedling from the Tree was part of the expedition.

Joe finds many surprises upon his arrival on Ballenkarch. And love as well.

This novel was originally published in 1950, likely in one of the SF magazines of the day. Book form in the mid-sixties, and now ebook.

[Toby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't get enough of Jack Vance. Fun read.

[Peveril · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent short fifties adventure by Vance. 3 1/2 if the system would allow.

[Ondřej Šefčík · Rating 3 out of 5]

A juvenal work, but it shows the future mastership...