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The World-Thinker and Other Stories
This volume might have been titled "The Early Jack Vance", as it features stories from the first dozen years of Vance’s career, when his major outlet was pulp magazines. In these stories, Vance already displays the lively imagination and mastery of the English language that came to characterize his entire career.
Among the fifteen stories are these:
The World-Thinker, Vance’s first published story, features two types who would recur often in Vance’s writing: the assured and competent hero, and the feisty, equally-competent heroine. They deal with an entity who, like Vance himself, creates fully-formed worlds at will.
I’ll Build Your Dream Castle is the first occurrence of a theme that also would appear again: the tension between those who buy and those who sell; in this case, houses.
DP! was written shortly after World War II, when refugees and victims of the carnage and upheaval were constantly in the news. Here, the ‘displaced persons’ are a hominid species driven from their homes by geological catastrophe.
Seven Exits from Bocz is also informed by the horrors of the second War.
The Foreword to this volume is written by Vance scholar David B. Williams, who presents a thorough overview of Vance’s entire career, from the promising beginnings presented here, to the masterpieces that would earn him the SFWA Grandmaster award in 1997 and a place in the Science Fiction Hall of Fame.
The World-Thinker and Other Stories is Volume 1 of the Spatterlight Press Signature Series. Released in the centenary of the author's birth, this handsome new collection is based upon the prestigious Vance Integral Edition. Select volumes enjoy up-to-date maps, and many are graced with freshly-written forewords contributed by a distinguished group of authors. Each book bears a facsimile of the author's signature and a previously-unpublished photograph, chosen from family archives for the period the book was written. These unique features will be appreciated by all, from seasoned Vance collector to new reader sampling the spectrum of this author's influential work for the first time. – John Vance II
Among the fifteen stories are these:
The World-Thinker, Vance’s first published story, features two types who would recur often in Vance’s writing: the assured and competent hero, and the feisty, equally-competent heroine. They deal with an entity who, like Vance himself, creates fully-formed worlds at will.
I’ll Build Your Dream Castle is the first occurrence of a theme that also would appear again: the tension between those who buy and those who sell; in this case, houses.
DP! was written shortly after World War II, when refugees and victims of the carnage and upheaval were constantly in the news. Here, the ‘displaced persons’ are a hominid species driven from their homes by geological catastrophe.
Seven Exits from Bocz is also informed by the horrors of the second War.
The Foreword to this volume is written by Vance scholar David B. Williams, who presents a thorough overview of Vance’s entire career, from the promising beginnings presented here, to the masterpieces that would earn him the SFWA Grandmaster award in 1997 and a place in the Science Fiction Hall of Fame.
The World-Thinker and Other Stories is Volume 1 of the Spatterlight Press Signature Series. Released in the centenary of the author's birth, this handsome new collection is based upon the prestigious Vance Integral Edition. Select volumes enjoy up-to-date maps, and many are graced with freshly-written forewords contributed by a distinguished group of authors. Each book bears a facsimile of the author's signature and a previously-unpublished photograph, chosen from family archives for the period the book was written. These unique features will be appreciated by all, from seasoned Vance collector to new reader sampling the spectrum of this author's influential work for the first time. – John Vance II
330 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
11 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Jack Vance
776 books1,586 followersAka 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 28, 2024
The World Between and Other Stories is a book published in 1965 that is composed of three novelettes and two short stories dating from 1951 to 1961.
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
The first story is The World Between, also known as "Ecological Onslaught", a 29 page novelette written in 1953. A potentially habitable planet is discovered by beings from Blue Star who are in direct competition with residents of another planet called Kay. When the Blue Star explorers try to introduce organisms to the planet to eventually make it habitable, the Kay citizens decide to release diseases and predators to disrupt things. This quickly becomes an ecological battle between two planets. It is an interesting story and my second favorite of the five. I rate a 4
The second story is "The Moon Moth" which is a novelette of 39 pages that was initially published in 1961. It is the most interesting and the easily the finest written of the five stories. Edwer Thissell, who arrived on the planet Sirene only three months ago, is suddenly appointed as the new Consular Representative from Earth after his predecessor is assassinated. He must quickly assume the responsibilities of this new position while learning how to behave in that role in the very strange culture on Sirene where everyone wears special masks, communicates through playing musical instruments (while singing) and will kill by sword anyone who violates the strict customs and protocol which seem almost incomprehensible. Thissell is assigned the duty of capturing an assassin from Earth who will soon to arrive on Sirene. But in the process of trying to track him down he has to interact with the Sirenes and seriously and perhaps fatally violates Sirene customs while doing so. The story is well thought out, skillfully written and quite complex. My rating: 5
The third story is "Brain of the Galaxy" also known as "The New Prime." It was published in 1951 and is novelette of 26 pages. It consists of five vignettes with different characters and settings. In the first vignette a man with no memory finds himself naked at a 19th century Boston coming out party and has to decide what to do. In the second a different character is in the midst of a losing battle with insect like creatures and decides to order his men to attack the main hive of the creatures he is fighting. In the third a man is in an ancient city of ruins seeking a parchment that can save his lords life. In the fourth a person finds himself in competition to mentally project imaginative images on a screen. In the last scene our fifth character is captured and tortured by his enemy. It is unclear how these vignettes are related until toward the end of the story where it all comes together. I found this story to be the least interesting of the collection and rated it a 3-
The 4th, a short story of 24 pages, is "The Devil on Salvation Bluff" written in 1955. Two missionaries, a married couple, live outside the main city on a planet called "Glory" where their ancestors from Earth crash landed 500 years ago. They maintain a huge clock (which is very symbolic) and adhere to Earth time (and customs) even though it does not apply to this planet which has a number of suns that seem to rise unpredictably. The two missionaries are responsible for "civilizing" the local natives, who live in the wild, by teaching them about manners, social behavior, adherence to schedules, and the importance of time and clocks. The locals raise goats, run around half naked, live in filthy conditions, refuse to live in the houses that the missionaries built for them, copulate in public and destroy the canals the missionaries make. The chief of the tribe is the only one who speaks their language, but he won't cooperate and calls the giant clock the devil, threatening to roll boulders down on it. The couple are concerned how an upcoming inspection will reflect on them and think the chief must be mentally ill to be so uncivilized so they decide to take him to one of their hospitals for mental health treatment. Things do not work out as they expect, however. This is very easy to read, rather fun and fairly interesting. I rated it a 3+
The fifth and final story is the 9 page "The Men Return" first published in 1957. I don't know how to explain this one except to say that the law of causality, physics and reality on Earth is rendered somewhat inoperable and matter now fades in and out of existence. Humans evolved into two different creatures, one rooted in the laws of science and the other having developed in the coexisting world of randomness and surrealism where nothing seems real. Both groups spend all their time seeking food and are not above eating each other. As food becomes more scarce, the groups become more desperate. It is all very bizarre, but I found it fascinating and rated it 3: "Liked it."
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
The first story is The World Between, also known as "Ecological Onslaught", a 29 page novelette written in 1953. A potentially habitable planet is discovered by beings from Blue Star who are in direct competition with residents of another planet called Kay. When the Blue Star explorers try to introduce organisms to the planet to eventually make it habitable, the Kay citizens decide to release diseases and predators to disrupt things. This quickly becomes an ecological battle between two planets. It is an interesting story and my second favorite of the five. I rate a 4
The second story is "The Moon Moth" which is a novelette of 39 pages that was initially published in 1961. It is the most interesting and the easily the finest written of the five stories. Edwer Thissell, who arrived on the planet Sirene only three months ago, is suddenly appointed as the new Consular Representative from Earth after his predecessor is assassinated. He must quickly assume the responsibilities of this new position while learning how to behave in that role in the very strange culture on Sirene where everyone wears special masks, communicates through playing musical instruments (while singing) and will kill by sword anyone who violates the strict customs and protocol which seem almost incomprehensible. Thissell is assigned the duty of capturing an assassin from Earth who will soon to arrive on Sirene. But in the process of trying to track him down he has to interact with the Sirenes and seriously and perhaps fatally violates Sirene customs while doing so. The story is well thought out, skillfully written and quite complex. My rating: 5
The third story is "Brain of the Galaxy" also known as "The New Prime." It was published in 1951 and is novelette of 26 pages. It consists of five vignettes with different characters and settings. In the first vignette a man with no memory finds himself naked at a 19th century Boston coming out party and has to decide what to do. In the second a different character is in the midst of a losing battle with insect like creatures and decides to order his men to attack the main hive of the creatures he is fighting. In the third a man is in an ancient city of ruins seeking a parchment that can save his lords life. In the fourth a person finds himself in competition to mentally project imaginative images on a screen. In the last scene our fifth character is captured and tortured by his enemy. It is unclear how these vignettes are related until toward the end of the story where it all comes together. I found this story to be the least interesting of the collection and rated it a 3-
The 4th, a short story of 24 pages, is "The Devil on Salvation Bluff" written in 1955. Two missionaries, a married couple, live outside the main city on a planet called "Glory" where their ancestors from Earth crash landed 500 years ago. They maintain a huge clock (which is very symbolic) and adhere to Earth time (and customs) even though it does not apply to this planet which has a number of suns that seem to rise unpredictably. The two missionaries are responsible for "civilizing" the local natives, who live in the wild, by teaching them about manners, social behavior, adherence to schedules, and the importance of time and clocks. The locals raise goats, run around half naked, live in filthy conditions, refuse to live in the houses that the missionaries built for them, copulate in public and destroy the canals the missionaries make. The chief of the tribe is the only one who speaks their language, but he won't cooperate and calls the giant clock the devil, threatening to roll boulders down on it. The couple are concerned how an upcoming inspection will reflect on them and think the chief must be mentally ill to be so uncivilized so they decide to take him to one of their hospitals for mental health treatment. Things do not work out as they expect, however. This is very easy to read, rather fun and fairly interesting. I rated it a 3+
The fifth and final story is the 9 page "The Men Return" first published in 1957. I don't know how to explain this one except to say that the law of causality, physics and reality on Earth is rendered somewhat inoperable and matter now fades in and out of existence. Humans evolved into two different creatures, one rooted in the laws of science and the other having developed in the coexisting world of randomness and surrealism where nothing seems real. Both groups spend all their time seeking food and are not above eating each other. As food becomes more scarce, the groups become more desperate. It is all very bizarre, but I found it fascinating and rated it 3: "Liked it."
April 28, 2024
The World-Thinker and Other Stories
This collection of short works by Vance was published in book form in the Vance Integral Edition in 2005. Spatterlight Press offers an e-book edition and a very nice trade paperback edition. There are fifteen short works included in this collection. Twelve of them are short stories, two are novelettes and one is a novella. A brief description of each story is listed below alphabetically.
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
"The Absent-Minded Professor" is a seventeen page short story first published in Malcom's Mystery Magazine in 1954 under the pseudonym of John Van See. It is also known as "First Star I See Tonight." Vance mentioned in the Introduction to The Dark Side of the Moon that he was rather fond of this story. It is quite entertaining. The story involves the rivalry between astronomy professors who compete to gain more access time to the observatory telescope so they can explore their pet projects and personal interests. Written in the first person singular, this is more of a mystery story than science fiction. I thought it was fairly interesting and rated it a 3.
"DP" is a twenty page short story that sometimes has an exclamation point after the title. It was first released in 1953 in the Avon Science Fiction and Fantasy Reader. Vance wrote this story while vacationing in a village in the Austrian Tyrol and uses this location as the setting for the story. White humanoid troglodytes begin coming up out of the fissures in the earth after a lava flow forces them to the surface. The "Trogs" are initially killed by fearful humans until they are recognized as also being human. The harmless and helpless Trogs are blind and have no food or shelter. Prolonged exposure to the sun kills them. They are refugees, totally dependent on others. Eventually millions of Trogs climb up out of the earth and are stranded in a small area in Austria called Trog City. The United Nations becomes involved and some countries offer to take some of the Trogs as immigrants. Some citizens find this threatening and campaign against it. One country wonders if the Trogs could be used for cheap or free labor. It is a classic refugee ethical dilemma done Vancian style. I rated it a 4.
"The Devil on Salvation Bluff," a short story of 21 pages was published initially in 1955. Two missionaries, a married couple, live outside the main city on a planet called "Glory" where their ancestors from Earth crash landed 500 years ago. They maintain a huge clock (which is very symbolic) and adhere to Earth time (and customs) even though it does not apply to this planet which has a number of suns that seem to rise unpredictably. The two missionaries are responsible for "civilizing" the local natives, who live in the wild, by teaching them about manners, social behavior, adherence to schedules, and the importance of time and clocks. The locals raise goats, run around half naked, live in filthy conditions, refuse to live in the houses that the missionaries built for them, copulate in public and destroy the canals the missionaries make. The chief of the tribe is the only one who speaks their language, but he won't cooperate and calls the giant clock the devil, threatening to roll boulders down on it. The couple are concerned how an upcoming inspection will reflect on them and think the chief must be mentally ill to be so uncivilized, so they decide to take him to one of their hospitals for mental health treatment. Things do not work out as they expect, however. This is very easy to read, rather fun and fairly interesting. I rated it a 3.5: "Liked it +"
God and the Temple Robbers is a fifteen page short story that was first printed in the magazine Planet Stories in 1951. Vance explained how this story was originally part of an epic novel that was rejected for publication. It was one episode that he salvaged from the novel. It has also had the title "The Temple of Han." The main character is an Earth man, Briar Kelly, who disguises himself as a Han, an alien species that outnumber humans on Earth, and goes to one of their temples where he steals a religious jewel called the Seven-year Eye that he hopes to sell. While fleeing, however, the sky suddenly changes and a new sun appears in place of the old one. The Han have somehow moved Earth to a different location, and that is merely the first step in the drastic measures they will take to regain the jewel. In the Introduction It is engaging and worth reading. I rated it a 3.
"The House Lords" is a fifteen page short story that was published initially in Saturn magazine in 1957. In his Introduction Vance mentions that he has little recollection of the story. An Astrographical Society ship from Earth arrives on another planet where conditions for life are favorable. They suddenly see a human child and then encounter some English speaking people who call themselves "Freemen." The Freemen have never heard of Earth and have no explanation of why they speak English. Suddenly some other humans whom the Freemen call "House Lords" appear from a castle and the Freemen flee. These House Lords refer to the Freemen as "Wild men" and have advanced weapons and a very superior attitude. Two of the men from the ship accompany the House Lords to their castle where they try to determine who all of these people are and where they came from. It is a rather interesting story that I rated a 3.
"I'll Build Your Dread Castle" was first published in the magazine Astounding Science Fiction in 1947. A slight revision of the story was issued in 1982 and titled "Dream Castle." I've read both and the differences are minor. It is a fifteen page short story that features an intelligent and enterprising protagonist named Farrero, a fairly recent graduate who designs and markets homes for a contracting firm. His boss, Angker, wants him to sign over patents that he created when he was in school. When he refuses to do so, he is immediately fired. Farrero strikes out on his own even though he does not have a contractor's license. His ideas are revolutionary and very profit making so that he is soon in competition with his old firm. They decide to try to hire rehire him or at least attempt to duplicate what he is doing, but Farrero seems to have anticipated this. The story is quite clever. I rated it a 3.
"Men of the Ten Books" is also known as "The Ten Books" and was first published in Startling Stories in 1951. It is a 29 page novelette. A couple, Ralph and Betty Welstead from Earth, are exploring other planets in their spaceship and discover a planet about the size and temperature of Earth. When they land they find a thriving society that greets them as long awaited heroes or rescuers. The planet called Haven is inhabited by humans who are the descendants of those who crash landed there 271 years previously. Other than a few verbal stories passed on from their predecessors, the only thing they know about Earth is from some books they have, the ten volume edition of "The Encyclopedia of Human Achievement." These books adulate human achievement on Earth and do not mention poverty, crime or any social or cultural problems. Although Haven society runs in perfect harmony and is almost a paradise, the people from Haven idolize Earth and have glorified it into something that is far grander than their own planet. Now that a ship from Earth has arrived, many of them want to visit Earth, a planet they think is magnificent beyond their imagination. The Welstead's have to decide whether or not to tell them the truth about Earth, that it is not the idealized paradise the books depict. They are concerned about what will happen to the people of Haven because they have been eagerly awaiting rescue for nearly three centuries. I found the story fairly interesting and rated it a 3 "Liked it."
"Noise" was published initially in 1952 by Startling Stories magazine. It is a 13 page short story. A man crash lands on a distant planet and begins sending out distress signals, hoping to get rescued. He gradually begins to see and hear strange seductive things and is not sure if his senses have become more responsive or if he is hallucinating. It is a bizarre and interesting story which I rated as a 3.
"The Phantom Milkman" is a twelve page short story that was published initially in Other Worlds Science Stories in 1956. The main character, Isabel Durbrow, moves alone into a rural cabin where she hopes her estranged husband cannot find her. She places an outgoing letter in her mailbox addressed to the local dairy requesting milk delivery. But she notices that the letter disappeared from the mailbox before the mailman even arrived. Isabel does begin to receive milk even though her letter seemed to have been intercepted, but the milk delivery is from a different dairy, one that none of the local people have ever heard of. Her cats do not like this milk but do like milk she buys at the store from a different dairy. So Isabel leaves a note stating that her cats do not like the milk and asking for deliver to be cancelled. She receives a return note from the company, however, refusing to cease delivery but offering to purchase additional items for her. Isabel cannot locate the address of the dairy or even a phone number and is also unable to catch the person as the milk is delivered. Vance informs us in the Introduction that the idea for this story came when he was visiting friends at an old farm house and a quart of milk mysteriously appeared on the doorstep on morning. The story is easy to read and rather interesting and unpredictable. I rated it a 4.
"A Practical Man's Guide" is a nine page short story that was initially released in 1957 in Space Science Fiction Magazine. It is a humorous story about a Ralph Banks, editor of Popular Crafts Monthly. In addition to articles, sketches, photographs and working models of various crafts and inventions, he also receives some very odd plans, formulas and suggestions that are filed in a large basked labeled Screwball Alley. Ralph receives a bizarre set of directions with sensational claims from a man who provides a return address at the Archives of the Smithsonian Institute. He calls the Institute to talk with the man, but is unable to reach him initially. So while waiting for the return call he begins compiling ingredients for the formula that the man has provided. It is all light hearted and fun, and I rated it a 3.
"The Secret" is a ten page short story that was first published in 1966 in the British magazine "Impulse," otherwise known as "Science Fantasy" and "SF Impulse." It is pure fantasy rather than science fiction and takes place on an island that could be somewhere in Polynesia. It is inhabited by all younger people. As islanders grow older they are tempted to find out the "secret" by taking a solo voyage to the west. The secret is completely mysterious because nobody has ever returned to the island once they have left. Our main character, Rona ta Inga, is the oldest on the island. Many of the others have formed a group and pledged to never leave their little paradise of an island and ask him to join in the pledge. Rona, however, begins making a boat. What does he find and what is the secret? I rated this a 3.5.
"Seven Exits to Bocz" is a ten page short story that was published initially in 1952 in The Rhodomagnetic Digest. The main character, Nicholas Trasek, visits a scientist, Dr. Horzabky, to confront him about his role during the war at the Bocz death camp. Sixty eight thousand slave prisoners disappeared as they were forced into one of seven portals to other universes used by Dr. Horzabky in his cruel experiments. One of these victims was Trasek's brother. This story reminded me of Nazi concentration camps and the subsequent war crimes trials. I rated it a 3.
Telek is a 58 page novella that was first published in 1952 in Astounding Science Fiction magazine. It is set in the future where the world is controlled by Teleks who are humans who have learned telekinetic powers. These Teleks live apart from regular humans but interact with them and manage much of the industry and finances of the world. Although vastly outnumbered by humans, Teleks have immense power to do damage and to control society. If a Telek is attacked or killed by ordinary humans, there is terrible retribution against them so they are usually treated with deference. In our story a Telek is suddenly killed by an angry worker and the other workers decide to cover this up to avoid retaliation. But Teleks have bug like spying devices that fly around keeping surveillance, making such cover ups extremely difficult. One human, Shorn, who joins a group that is conspiring against the Teleks, offers the Teleks some vital information in exchange for their teaching him telekinesis so he can be a Telek. He hopes to teach other ordinary people this power so they are not dominated and terrorized by the Teleks. The alternative plan is to try to kill all of the Teleks. But if they do not kill every one of them, if even one is left alive, there will be terrible retaliation. This story was likeable enough but not top drawer Vance and I rated it a 3 "Liked it."
"Where Hesperus Falls" is the third work, a short eight page short story that was published first in 1956 in Fantastic Universe magazine. Henry Revere is a man who lives in a very technologically advanced society where he is told, "you are not your own property. You are a ward of the race." Henry, you see, is over 96,000 years old and is kept living even though, "life long ago lost that freshness and anticipation which makes it enjoyable." Bored with life, Henry keeps trying to kill himself but is thwarted each time by the intense surveillance and advanced medical skills of those who watch over him as his "servants." He is not really a prisoner, but he is not allowed to die. Thousands of years ago Henry had been a bio-chemist and offered himself as the subject of an experiment. But this resulted in "an incalculable error had distorted the experiment, with my immortality as the perverse result." He now finds himself being, "a living fossil, a curio among curious, a public ward, a creature denied the option of life or death." Henry's only interest other than suicide is writing his great "History of Man." What Henry does about his dilemma and how he does it are the basis of the story. I rated it a 3 "Liked it."
"The World-Thinker" was the first story Vance ever published and was issued in Thrilling Wonder Stories in August of 1945. It is a twenty five page novelette that Vance wrote while he was at sea. It is a good story for a first publication and involves Isabel May who escapes prison on Earth and flees in a spaceship pursued by Lanark who is hired to capture her alive. She possesses a very valuable code that is highly important to the government. Lanark finally tracks her spaceship down on another planet but cannot find Isabel. Instead he encounters a godlike creature named Laoome, "the one-time Sage of the Fifth Universe--Laoome the World-Thinker, the Final Sage of the Fifth Universe." Laoome has the ability to create through his mind other planets and realities and has placed Isabel under his protection on one of the planets he created. Lanark convinces Laoome to allow him to visit this planet to talk with her. A number of cosmological ideas are explored in this early work. I rated it a 3.5 "Liked it."
This collection of short works by Vance was published in book form in the Vance Integral Edition in 2005. Spatterlight Press offers an e-book edition and a very nice trade paperback edition. There are fifteen short works included in this collection. Twelve of them are short stories, two are novelettes and one is a novella. A brief description of each story is listed below alphabetically.
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
"The Absent-Minded Professor" is a seventeen page short story first published in Malcom's Mystery Magazine in 1954 under the pseudonym of John Van See. It is also known as "First Star I See Tonight." Vance mentioned in the Introduction to The Dark Side of the Moon that he was rather fond of this story. It is quite entertaining. The story involves the rivalry between astronomy professors who compete to gain more access time to the observatory telescope so they can explore their pet projects and personal interests. Written in the first person singular, this is more of a mystery story than science fiction. I thought it was fairly interesting and rated it a 3.
"DP" is a twenty page short story that sometimes has an exclamation point after the title. It was first released in 1953 in the Avon Science Fiction and Fantasy Reader. Vance wrote this story while vacationing in a village in the Austrian Tyrol and uses this location as the setting for the story. White humanoid troglodytes begin coming up out of the fissures in the earth after a lava flow forces them to the surface. The "Trogs" are initially killed by fearful humans until they are recognized as also being human. The harmless and helpless Trogs are blind and have no food or shelter. Prolonged exposure to the sun kills them. They are refugees, totally dependent on others. Eventually millions of Trogs climb up out of the earth and are stranded in a small area in Austria called Trog City. The United Nations becomes involved and some countries offer to take some of the Trogs as immigrants. Some citizens find this threatening and campaign against it. One country wonders if the Trogs could be used for cheap or free labor. It is a classic refugee ethical dilemma done Vancian style. I rated it a 4.
"The Devil on Salvation Bluff," a short story of 21 pages was published initially in 1955. Two missionaries, a married couple, live outside the main city on a planet called "Glory" where their ancestors from Earth crash landed 500 years ago. They maintain a huge clock (which is very symbolic) and adhere to Earth time (and customs) even though it does not apply to this planet which has a number of suns that seem to rise unpredictably. The two missionaries are responsible for "civilizing" the local natives, who live in the wild, by teaching them about manners, social behavior, adherence to schedules, and the importance of time and clocks. The locals raise goats, run around half naked, live in filthy conditions, refuse to live in the houses that the missionaries built for them, copulate in public and destroy the canals the missionaries make. The chief of the tribe is the only one who speaks their language, but he won't cooperate and calls the giant clock the devil, threatening to roll boulders down on it. The couple are concerned how an upcoming inspection will reflect on them and think the chief must be mentally ill to be so uncivilized, so they decide to take him to one of their hospitals for mental health treatment. Things do not work out as they expect, however. This is very easy to read, rather fun and fairly interesting. I rated it a 3.5: "Liked it +"
God and the Temple Robbers is a fifteen page short story that was first printed in the magazine Planet Stories in 1951. Vance explained how this story was originally part of an epic novel that was rejected for publication. It was one episode that he salvaged from the novel. It has also had the title "The Temple of Han." The main character is an Earth man, Briar Kelly, who disguises himself as a Han, an alien species that outnumber humans on Earth, and goes to one of their temples where he steals a religious jewel called the Seven-year Eye that he hopes to sell. While fleeing, however, the sky suddenly changes and a new sun appears in place of the old one. The Han have somehow moved Earth to a different location, and that is merely the first step in the drastic measures they will take to regain the jewel. In the Introduction It is engaging and worth reading. I rated it a 3.
"The House Lords" is a fifteen page short story that was published initially in Saturn magazine in 1957. In his Introduction Vance mentions that he has little recollection of the story. An Astrographical Society ship from Earth arrives on another planet where conditions for life are favorable. They suddenly see a human child and then encounter some English speaking people who call themselves "Freemen." The Freemen have never heard of Earth and have no explanation of why they speak English. Suddenly some other humans whom the Freemen call "House Lords" appear from a castle and the Freemen flee. These House Lords refer to the Freemen as "Wild men" and have advanced weapons and a very superior attitude. Two of the men from the ship accompany the House Lords to their castle where they try to determine who all of these people are and where they came from. It is a rather interesting story that I rated a 3.
"I'll Build Your Dread Castle" was first published in the magazine Astounding Science Fiction in 1947. A slight revision of the story was issued in 1982 and titled "Dream Castle." I've read both and the differences are minor. It is a fifteen page short story that features an intelligent and enterprising protagonist named Farrero, a fairly recent graduate who designs and markets homes for a contracting firm. His boss, Angker, wants him to sign over patents that he created when he was in school. When he refuses to do so, he is immediately fired. Farrero strikes out on his own even though he does not have a contractor's license. His ideas are revolutionary and very profit making so that he is soon in competition with his old firm. They decide to try to hire rehire him or at least attempt to duplicate what he is doing, but Farrero seems to have anticipated this. The story is quite clever. I rated it a 3.
"Men of the Ten Books" is also known as "The Ten Books" and was first published in Startling Stories in 1951. It is a 29 page novelette. A couple, Ralph and Betty Welstead from Earth, are exploring other planets in their spaceship and discover a planet about the size and temperature of Earth. When they land they find a thriving society that greets them as long awaited heroes or rescuers. The planet called Haven is inhabited by humans who are the descendants of those who crash landed there 271 years previously. Other than a few verbal stories passed on from their predecessors, the only thing they know about Earth is from some books they have, the ten volume edition of "The Encyclopedia of Human Achievement." These books adulate human achievement on Earth and do not mention poverty, crime or any social or cultural problems. Although Haven society runs in perfect harmony and is almost a paradise, the people from Haven idolize Earth and have glorified it into something that is far grander than their own planet. Now that a ship from Earth has arrived, many of them want to visit Earth, a planet they think is magnificent beyond their imagination. The Welstead's have to decide whether or not to tell them the truth about Earth, that it is not the idealized paradise the books depict. They are concerned about what will happen to the people of Haven because they have been eagerly awaiting rescue for nearly three centuries. I found the story fairly interesting and rated it a 3 "Liked it."
"Noise" was published initially in 1952 by Startling Stories magazine. It is a 13 page short story. A man crash lands on a distant planet and begins sending out distress signals, hoping to get rescued. He gradually begins to see and hear strange seductive things and is not sure if his senses have become more responsive or if he is hallucinating. It is a bizarre and interesting story which I rated as a 3.
"The Phantom Milkman" is a twelve page short story that was published initially in Other Worlds Science Stories in 1956. The main character, Isabel Durbrow, moves alone into a rural cabin where she hopes her estranged husband cannot find her. She places an outgoing letter in her mailbox addressed to the local dairy requesting milk delivery. But she notices that the letter disappeared from the mailbox before the mailman even arrived. Isabel does begin to receive milk even though her letter seemed to have been intercepted, but the milk delivery is from a different dairy, one that none of the local people have ever heard of. Her cats do not like this milk but do like milk she buys at the store from a different dairy. So Isabel leaves a note stating that her cats do not like the milk and asking for deliver to be cancelled. She receives a return note from the company, however, refusing to cease delivery but offering to purchase additional items for her. Isabel cannot locate the address of the dairy or even a phone number and is also unable to catch the person as the milk is delivered. Vance informs us in the Introduction that the idea for this story came when he was visiting friends at an old farm house and a quart of milk mysteriously appeared on the doorstep on morning. The story is easy to read and rather interesting and unpredictable. I rated it a 4.
"A Practical Man's Guide" is a nine page short story that was initially released in 1957 in Space Science Fiction Magazine. It is a humorous story about a Ralph Banks, editor of Popular Crafts Monthly. In addition to articles, sketches, photographs and working models of various crafts and inventions, he also receives some very odd plans, formulas and suggestions that are filed in a large basked labeled Screwball Alley. Ralph receives a bizarre set of directions with sensational claims from a man who provides a return address at the Archives of the Smithsonian Institute. He calls the Institute to talk with the man, but is unable to reach him initially. So while waiting for the return call he begins compiling ingredients for the formula that the man has provided. It is all light hearted and fun, and I rated it a 3.
"The Secret" is a ten page short story that was first published in 1966 in the British magazine "Impulse," otherwise known as "Science Fantasy" and "SF Impulse." It is pure fantasy rather than science fiction and takes place on an island that could be somewhere in Polynesia. It is inhabited by all younger people. As islanders grow older they are tempted to find out the "secret" by taking a solo voyage to the west. The secret is completely mysterious because nobody has ever returned to the island once they have left. Our main character, Rona ta Inga, is the oldest on the island. Many of the others have formed a group and pledged to never leave their little paradise of an island and ask him to join in the pledge. Rona, however, begins making a boat. What does he find and what is the secret? I rated this a 3.5.
"Seven Exits to Bocz" is a ten page short story that was published initially in 1952 in The Rhodomagnetic Digest. The main character, Nicholas Trasek, visits a scientist, Dr. Horzabky, to confront him about his role during the war at the Bocz death camp. Sixty eight thousand slave prisoners disappeared as they were forced into one of seven portals to other universes used by Dr. Horzabky in his cruel experiments. One of these victims was Trasek's brother. This story reminded me of Nazi concentration camps and the subsequent war crimes trials. I rated it a 3.
Telek is a 58 page novella that was first published in 1952 in Astounding Science Fiction magazine. It is set in the future where the world is controlled by Teleks who are humans who have learned telekinetic powers. These Teleks live apart from regular humans but interact with them and manage much of the industry and finances of the world. Although vastly outnumbered by humans, Teleks have immense power to do damage and to control society. If a Telek is attacked or killed by ordinary humans, there is terrible retribution against them so they are usually treated with deference. In our story a Telek is suddenly killed by an angry worker and the other workers decide to cover this up to avoid retaliation. But Teleks have bug like spying devices that fly around keeping surveillance, making such cover ups extremely difficult. One human, Shorn, who joins a group that is conspiring against the Teleks, offers the Teleks some vital information in exchange for their teaching him telekinesis so he can be a Telek. He hopes to teach other ordinary people this power so they are not dominated and terrorized by the Teleks. The alternative plan is to try to kill all of the Teleks. But if they do not kill every one of them, if even one is left alive, there will be terrible retaliation. This story was likeable enough but not top drawer Vance and I rated it a 3 "Liked it."
"Where Hesperus Falls" is the third work, a short eight page short story that was published first in 1956 in Fantastic Universe magazine. Henry Revere is a man who lives in a very technologically advanced society where he is told, "you are not your own property. You are a ward of the race." Henry, you see, is over 96,000 years old and is kept living even though, "life long ago lost that freshness and anticipation which makes it enjoyable." Bored with life, Henry keeps trying to kill himself but is thwarted each time by the intense surveillance and advanced medical skills of those who watch over him as his "servants." He is not really a prisoner, but he is not allowed to die. Thousands of years ago Henry had been a bio-chemist and offered himself as the subject of an experiment. But this resulted in "an incalculable error had distorted the experiment, with my immortality as the perverse result." He now finds himself being, "a living fossil, a curio among curious, a public ward, a creature denied the option of life or death." Henry's only interest other than suicide is writing his great "History of Man." What Henry does about his dilemma and how he does it are the basis of the story. I rated it a 3 "Liked it."
"The World-Thinker" was the first story Vance ever published and was issued in Thrilling Wonder Stories in August of 1945. It is a twenty five page novelette that Vance wrote while he was at sea. It is a good story for a first publication and involves Isabel May who escapes prison on Earth and flees in a spaceship pursued by Lanark who is hired to capture her alive. She possesses a very valuable code that is highly important to the government. Lanark finally tracks her spaceship down on another planet but cannot find Isabel. Instead he encounters a godlike creature named Laoome, "the one-time Sage of the Fifth Universe--Laoome the World-Thinker, the Final Sage of the Fifth Universe." Laoome has the ability to create through his mind other planets and realities and has placed Isabel under his protection on one of the planets he created. Lanark convinces Laoome to allow him to visit this planet to talk with her. A number of cosmological ideas are explored in this early work. I rated it a 3.5 "Liked it."
February 13, 2022
Some good stories here. I only had to consult the dictionary occasionally, no doubt a combination of early Vance and my advancing years :)
I got this as a birthday present nearly two years ago but have only now just realised that this is the Vance Integral Edition in paperback purchasable by edition. Happy times ahead.
I got this as a birthday present nearly two years ago but have only now just realised that this is the Vance Integral Edition in paperback purchasable by edition. Happy times ahead.
February 4, 2024
This is a collection of fifteen shorter works by Jack Vance, including thirteen short stories, one novelettes and one novella. These are all very early works, first published between 1945 and 1957 and will appeal mostly to dedicated Vance fans. Other readers should probably start out with the some of the other Jack Vance Spatterlight Press short works collections such as The Moon Moth and Other Stories, or Chateau d’If and Other Stories.
This collection is a high quality trade paperback edition that is based on the Vance Integral Edition (VIE) that is the revised and author approved edition of the writings of Jack Vance. Many of the original writings of Vance were edited, altered, expanded or cut by editors, especially shorter works that were published first in science fiction and fantasy magazines.
The World-Thinker-Jack Vance novelette
"The World-Thinker" was the first story Vance ever published and was issued in Thrilling Wonder Stories in August of 1945. It is a 27 page novelette that Vance wrote while he was at sea. I don’t think it is such a bad story for a first publication but years later in Vance said he found it embarrassing. In Vance’s introduction to the 1982 collection Lost Moons he said that The World-Thinker and another story Dream Castle were both “so embarrassing that I rewrote a few stand-out passages, a lick-and-a promise operation rather like putting rouge on a corpse.” The story involves Isabel May who escapes prison on Earth and flees in a spaceship pursued by Lanark who is hired to capture her alive. She possesses a very valuable code that is highly important to the government. Lanark finally tracks her spaceship down on another planet but cannot find Isabel. Instead he encounters a godlike creature named Laoome, "the one-time Sage of the Fifth Universe--Laoome the World-Thinker, the Final Sage of the Fifth Universe." Laoome has the ability to create through his mind other planets and realities and has placed Isabel under his protection on one of the planets he created. Lanark convinces Laoome to allow him to visit this planet to talk with her. A number of cosmological ideas are explored in this early work. I’ve read this three times. It is a bit clumsy and amateurish and certainly not one of Vance’s best stories but I rated it a 3 "Liked it."
I'll Build Your Dream Castle-Jack Vance short story
"I'll Build Your Dream Castle" is an18 page short story that was first published in the magazine Astounding Science Fiction in September of 1947. According to the International Speculative Fiction Data Base: "In 1982, Vance revised this story to create "Dream Castle.” Vance himself did not care for the original story Dream Castle and in his introduction to the 1982 collection Lost Moons he said this story and another one called The World-Thinker were both “so embarrassing that I rewrote a few stand-out passages, a lick-and-a promise operation rather like putting rouge on a corpse.” I’ll Build Your Dream Castle features an intelligent and enterprising protagonist named Farrero, a fairly recent graduate who designs and markets homes for a contracting firm. His boss, Angker, wants him to sign over patents that he created when he was in school. When he refuses to do so, he is immediately fired. Farrero strikes out on his own even though he does not have a contractor's license. His ideas are revolutionary and very profit making so that he is soon in competition with his old firm. They decide to try to rehire him or at least attempt to duplicate what he is doing, but Farrero seems to have anticipated this. The story is quite clever. I’ve read it several times and rated it a 4 “Really liked it.”
The Ten Books-Jack Vance novelette (author’s preferred title)
AKA: Men of the Ten Books
"The Ten Books" is also known as "Men of the Ten Books" and was first published in Startling Stories in 1951. It is a 21 page short story. A couple, Ralph and Betty Welstead from Earth, are exploring other planets in their spaceship and discover a planet about the size and temperature of Earth. When they land they find a thriving society that greets them as long awaited heroes or rescuers. The planet called Haven is inhabited by humans who are the descendants of those who crash landed there 271 years previously. Other than a few verbal stories passed on from their predecessors, the only thing they know about Earth is from some books they have, the ten volume edition of "The Encyclopedia of Human Achievement." These books adulate human achievement on Earth and do not mention poverty, crime or any social or cultural problems. Although Haven society runs in perfect harmony and is almost a paradise, the people from Haven idolize Earth and have glorified it into something that is far grander than their own planet. Now that a ship from Earth has arrived, many of them want to visit Earth, a planet they think is magnificent beyond their imagination. The Welstead's have to decide whether or not to tell them the truth about Earth, that it is not the idealized paradise the books depict. They are concerned about what will happen to the people of Haven because they have been eagerly awaiting rescue for nearly three centuries. I’ve read this story several times, found fairly interesting, and rated it a 3 "Liked it."
The God and the Temple Robbers-Jack Vance short story (author’s preferred title)
AKA: “The Temple of Han”
“God and the Temple Robbers” is a 15 page short story that was first printed in the magazine Planet Stories in July, 1951. Vance explained how this story was originally part of an epic novel that was rejected for publication. It was one episode that he salvaged from the novel. It has also had the title "The Temple of Han." The main character is an Earth man, Briar Kelly, who disguises himself as a Han, an alien species that outnumber humans on Earth, and goes to one of their temples where he steals a religious jewel called the Seven-year Eye that he hopes to sell. While fleeing, however, the sky suddenly changes and a new sun appears in place of the old one. The Han have somehow moved Earth to a different location, and that is merely the first step in the drastic measures they will take to regain the jewel. The story is engaging and worth reading. I’ve read it three times and rated it a 4 “Really liked it.”
Telek-Jack Vance novella
Telek is a 69 page novella that was first published in January, 1952 in Astounding Science Fiction magazine. It is set in the future where Earth is controlled by Teleks who are humans who have learned telekinetic powers. These Teleks live apart from regular humans but interact with them and manage much of the industry, finances and law enforcement on Earth. Although vastly outnumbered by humans, Teleks have immense power to do damage and to control society. If a Telek is attacked or killed by ordinary humans, there is terrible retribution against them so they are usually treated with deference. In our story a Telek is suddenly killed after the Telek kills an angry worker and the killer and other workers who saw the incident decide to cover up the death to avoid retaliation. But Teleks have bug like spying devices that fly around keeping surveillance, making such cover ups extremely difficult. One human, Shorn, who joins a group that is conspiring against the Teleks, decides offer the Teleks some vital information (which does not exist) in exchange for their teaching him telekinesis so he can be a Telek. He hopes to teach other ordinary people this power so they are not dominated and terrorized by the Teleks. The alternative plan is to try to kill all of the Teleks. But they would have to kill every one of them because if even one was left alive, there would be terrible retaliation. I suspect Telek was a story Vance wrote for his editor, John Campbell, who was editor of the magazine Astounding Science Fiction from 1937 to 1971 and who liked parapsychological themes. Telek was engaging enough to read but is not, by any means, top drawer Vance. I rated it a 3 "Liked it."
Noise-Jack Vance short story (author’s preferred title)
AKA: “Music of the Spheres”
"Noise" was published initially in August, 1952 in Startling Stories magazine. It is also known as “Music of the Spheres” and is a 13 page short story. A man crash lands on a distant planet and begins sending out distress signals, hoping to get rescued. He gradually begins to see and hear strange seductive things and is not sure if his senses have become more responsive or if he is hallucinating. It is a strange, moody, psychological, fantasy piece that is rather fascinating. I’ve read this several times and rated it a 3 “Liked it.”
Seven Exits from Bocz-Jack Vance short story
"Seven Exits to Bocz" is a 10 page short story that was published initially in June, 1952 in the fanzine “The Rhodomagnetic Digest, Volume 2, #3.” The main character, Nicholas Trasek, visits a scientist, Dr. Horzabky, to confront him about his role at the Bocz prison camp. Years ago Dr. Horzabky was a scientist assigned to a prison that was really more of a concentration camp during a war. During their conversation we learn of Dr. Horzabky’s activities in the prison. He also discusses the six panels with abstract paintings on them and a seventh one that is blank. Dr. Horzabky explains that each of these panels has a portal to another universe. The seventh panel leads to a universe that “is so alien to our world that light refuses to penetrate it.” These portals were a product of an experiment done by Dr. Horzabky years ago. While working at Bocz Dr. Horzabky conducted cruel experiments including a final experiment with Sixty eight thousand slave prisoners when he had them all drugged and then forced them to focus their mutual attention on panels of plywood. His instruction to all of them was to use their focused concentration to try to pierce holes in plywood panels painted with targets. He hoped that the combined mental power of 68,000 people would have a telepathic effect on the targets.
Dr. Horzabky’s plan was successful and each of the seven panels now had a hole in it. When he examined the holes he found that each one was a portal to a different universe. The enemy, the United Army of Occupation, was approaching and Horzabky did not want the prisoners to survive to become witnesses to his experiments so he forced all the prisoners to divide into seven groups and then for each group to go through one of the seven portals. Each of the seven portals led to a different experience for the person going through it with some turning to dust, some living but inside out humans, etc. Each of the seven pieces. One of these victims was Trasek's brother so Trasek has some ideas for revenge, but Dr. Horzabky has his own plans for dealing with Trasek and other visitors. I’ve read this story three times so far, found it fairly engaging, and rated it a 3 “Liked it.”
DP!-Jack Vance short story
"DP!" is a 22 page short story that sometimes does not have an exclamation point after the title. It was first released in April, 1953 in the Avon Science Fiction and Fantasy Reader. Vance wrote this story while vacationing in a village in the Austrian Tyrol and uses this location as the setting for the story. White humanoid troglodytes begin coming up out of the fissures in the earth after a lava flow forces them to the surface. The "Trogs" are initially killed by fearful humans until they are recognized as also being human. The harmless and helpless Trogs are blind and have no food or shelter. Prolonged exposure to the sun kills them. They are refugees, totally dependent on others. Eventually millions of Trogs climb up out of the earth and are stranded in a small area in Austria called Trog City. The United Nations becomes involved and some countries offer to take some of the Trogs as immigrants. Some citizens find this threatening and campaign against it. One country wonders if the Trogs could be used for cheap or free labor. It is a classic refugee ethical dilemma done Vancian style. I’ve read it several times rated it a 4 “Really liked it.”
The Absent-Minded Professor-Jack Vance short story (author’s preferred title)
AKA: “First Star I See Tonight”
"The Absent-Minded Professor" is a 16/17 page short story first published in Malcom's Mystery Magazine in March of 1954 under the pseudonym of John Van See. It is also known as "First Star I See Tonight." Vance mentioned in the Introduction to the collection The Dark Side of the Moon that he was rather fond of this story. It was influenced by some information Vance received regarding the competition between scientists in academia. The story is written in the first person singular and involves the rivalry between two astronomy professors who compete to gain more access time to the observatory telescope. It is more of a mystery story than science fiction. The main character, Sisley, is an assistant professor of astronomy who shares observatory time with elderly, fussy, cantankerous full professor named Dr. Patchen. Sisley’s frustration has reached a breaking point and he has made elaborate plans to deal with Patchen. I thought it was fairly interesting and entertaining story. I’ve read it four times and rated it a 3 “Liked it.”
Devil on Salvation Bluff-Jack Vance short story
"The Devil on Salvation Bluff," a short story of 23 pages, was published initially in 1955 in the book anthology Star Science Fiction Stories #3. Two missionaries, a married couple, live outside the main city on a planet called "Glory" where their ancestors from Earth crash landed 500 years ago. They maintain a huge clock (which is very symbolic) and adhere to Earth time (and customs) even though it does not apply to this planet which has a number of suns that seem to rise unpredictably. The two missionaries are responsible for "civilizing" the local natives, who live in the wild, by teaching them about manners, social behavior, adherence to schedules, and the importance of time and clocks. The locals raise goats, run around half naked, live in filthy conditions, refuse to live in the houses that the missionaries built for them, copulate in public and destroy the canals the missionaries make. The chief of the tribe is the only one who speaks their language, but he won't cooperate and calls the giant clock the devil, threatening to roll boulders down on it. The couple are concerned how an upcoming inspection will reflect on them and think the chief must be mentally ill to be so uncivilized, so they decide to take him to one of their hospitals for mental health treatment. Things do not work out as they expect, however. This is very easy to read, enjoyable and fairly interesting. I’ve read this four times so far and rate it a 4 “Really liked it.”
The Phantom Milkman-Jack Vance short story
"The Phantom Milkman" is a 13 page short story that was published initially in Other Worlds Science Stories in 1956. The main character, Isabel Durbrow, moves alone into a rural cabin where she hopes her estranged husband cannot find her. She places an outgoing letter in her mailbox addressed to the local dairy requesting milk delivery. But she notices that the letter disappeared from the mailbox before the mailman even arrived. Isabel does begin to receive milk even though her letter seemed to have been intercepted, but the milk delivery is from a different dairy, one that none of the local people have ever heard of. Her cats do not like this milk but do like milk she buys at the store from a different dairy. So Isabel leaves a note stating that her cats do not like the milk and asking for deliver to be cancelled. She receives a return note from the company, however, refusing to cease delivery but offering to purchase additional items for her. Isabel cannot locate the address of the dairy or even a phone number and is also unable to catch the person as the milk is delivered. Vance informs us in the Introduction that the idea for this story came when he was visiting friends at an old farm house and a quart of milk mysteriously appeared on the doorstep on morning. The story is engaging to read, and unpredictable. I’ve read it several times and rated it a 4 “Really liked it.”
Where Hesperus Falls-Jack Vance short story
"Where Hesperus Falls" is an 10 page short story that was published first in October, 1956 in Fantastic Universe magazine. Henry Revere is a man who lives in a very technologically advanced society where he is told, "you are not your own property. You are a ward of the race." Henry, you see, is over 96,000 years old and is kept living even though, "life long ago lost that freshness and anticipation which makes it enjoyable." Bored with life, Henry keeps trying to kill himself but is thwarted each time by the intense surveillance and advanced medical skills of those who watch over him as his "servants." He is not really a prisoner, but he is not allowed to die. Thousands of years ago Henry had been a bio-chemist and offered himself as the subject of an experiment. But this resulted in "an incalculable error had distorted the experiment, with my immortality as the perverse result." He now finds himself being, "a living fossil, a curio among curious, a public ward, a creature denied the option of life or death." Henry's only interest other than suicide is writing his great "History of Man." What Henry does about his dilemma and how he does it are the basis of the story. I’ve read this three time so far and rated it a 3 "Liked it."
A Practical Man's Guide-Jack Vance short story
"A Practical Man's Guide" is a 9 page short story that was initially released on August, 1957 in Space Science Fiction Magazine. It is a humorous story about a Ralph Banks, editor of Popular Crafts Monthly. In addition to articles, sketches, photographs and working models of various crafts and inventions, he also receives some very odd plans, formulas and suggestions that are filed in a large basked labeled Screwball Alley. Ralph receives a bizarre set of directions with sensational claims from a man who provides a return address at the Archives of the Smithsonian Institute. He calls the Institute to talk with the man, but is unable to reach him initially. So while waiting for the return call he begins compiling ingredients for the formula that the man has provided. It is all light hearted and fun I’ve read it several times and I rated it a 3 “Liked it.”
The House Lords-Jack Vance short story
"The House Lords" is a 16 page short story that was published initially in Saturn magazine in October, 1957. In later years, when discussing this story, Vance mentioned that he had little recollection of it. An “Astrographical Societyz’ ship from Earth arrives on
This collection is a high quality trade paperback edition that is based on the Vance Integral Edition (VIE) that is the revised and author approved edition of the writings of Jack Vance. Many of the original writings of Vance were edited, altered, expanded or cut by editors, especially shorter works that were published first in science fiction and fantasy magazines.
The World-Thinker-Jack Vance novelette
"The World-Thinker" was the first story Vance ever published and was issued in Thrilling Wonder Stories in August of 1945. It is a 27 page novelette that Vance wrote while he was at sea. I don’t think it is such a bad story for a first publication but years later in Vance said he found it embarrassing. In Vance’s introduction to the 1982 collection Lost Moons he said that The World-Thinker and another story Dream Castle were both “so embarrassing that I rewrote a few stand-out passages, a lick-and-a promise operation rather like putting rouge on a corpse.” The story involves Isabel May who escapes prison on Earth and flees in a spaceship pursued by Lanark who is hired to capture her alive. She possesses a very valuable code that is highly important to the government. Lanark finally tracks her spaceship down on another planet but cannot find Isabel. Instead he encounters a godlike creature named Laoome, "the one-time Sage of the Fifth Universe--Laoome the World-Thinker, the Final Sage of the Fifth Universe." Laoome has the ability to create through his mind other planets and realities and has placed Isabel under his protection on one of the planets he created. Lanark convinces Laoome to allow him to visit this planet to talk with her. A number of cosmological ideas are explored in this early work. I’ve read this three times. It is a bit clumsy and amateurish and certainly not one of Vance’s best stories but I rated it a 3 "Liked it."
I'll Build Your Dream Castle-Jack Vance short story
"I'll Build Your Dream Castle" is an18 page short story that was first published in the magazine Astounding Science Fiction in September of 1947. According to the International Speculative Fiction Data Base: "In 1982, Vance revised this story to create "Dream Castle.” Vance himself did not care for the original story Dream Castle and in his introduction to the 1982 collection Lost Moons he said this story and another one called The World-Thinker were both “so embarrassing that I rewrote a few stand-out passages, a lick-and-a promise operation rather like putting rouge on a corpse.” I’ll Build Your Dream Castle features an intelligent and enterprising protagonist named Farrero, a fairly recent graduate who designs and markets homes for a contracting firm. His boss, Angker, wants him to sign over patents that he created when he was in school. When he refuses to do so, he is immediately fired. Farrero strikes out on his own even though he does not have a contractor's license. His ideas are revolutionary and very profit making so that he is soon in competition with his old firm. They decide to try to rehire him or at least attempt to duplicate what he is doing, but Farrero seems to have anticipated this. The story is quite clever. I’ve read it several times and rated it a 4 “Really liked it.”
The Ten Books-Jack Vance novelette (author’s preferred title)
AKA: Men of the Ten Books
"The Ten Books" is also known as "Men of the Ten Books" and was first published in Startling Stories in 1951. It is a 21 page short story. A couple, Ralph and Betty Welstead from Earth, are exploring other planets in their spaceship and discover a planet about the size and temperature of Earth. When they land they find a thriving society that greets them as long awaited heroes or rescuers. The planet called Haven is inhabited by humans who are the descendants of those who crash landed there 271 years previously. Other than a few verbal stories passed on from their predecessors, the only thing they know about Earth is from some books they have, the ten volume edition of "The Encyclopedia of Human Achievement." These books adulate human achievement on Earth and do not mention poverty, crime or any social or cultural problems. Although Haven society runs in perfect harmony and is almost a paradise, the people from Haven idolize Earth and have glorified it into something that is far grander than their own planet. Now that a ship from Earth has arrived, many of them want to visit Earth, a planet they think is magnificent beyond their imagination. The Welstead's have to decide whether or not to tell them the truth about Earth, that it is not the idealized paradise the books depict. They are concerned about what will happen to the people of Haven because they have been eagerly awaiting rescue for nearly three centuries. I’ve read this story several times, found fairly interesting, and rated it a 3 "Liked it."
The God and the Temple Robbers-Jack Vance short story (author’s preferred title)
AKA: “The Temple of Han”
“God and the Temple Robbers” is a 15 page short story that was first printed in the magazine Planet Stories in July, 1951. Vance explained how this story was originally part of an epic novel that was rejected for publication. It was one episode that he salvaged from the novel. It has also had the title "The Temple of Han." The main character is an Earth man, Briar Kelly, who disguises himself as a Han, an alien species that outnumber humans on Earth, and goes to one of their temples where he steals a religious jewel called the Seven-year Eye that he hopes to sell. While fleeing, however, the sky suddenly changes and a new sun appears in place of the old one. The Han have somehow moved Earth to a different location, and that is merely the first step in the drastic measures they will take to regain the jewel. The story is engaging and worth reading. I’ve read it three times and rated it a 4 “Really liked it.”
Telek-Jack Vance novella
Telek is a 69 page novella that was first published in January, 1952 in Astounding Science Fiction magazine. It is set in the future where Earth is controlled by Teleks who are humans who have learned telekinetic powers. These Teleks live apart from regular humans but interact with them and manage much of the industry, finances and law enforcement on Earth. Although vastly outnumbered by humans, Teleks have immense power to do damage and to control society. If a Telek is attacked or killed by ordinary humans, there is terrible retribution against them so they are usually treated with deference. In our story a Telek is suddenly killed after the Telek kills an angry worker and the killer and other workers who saw the incident decide to cover up the death to avoid retaliation. But Teleks have bug like spying devices that fly around keeping surveillance, making such cover ups extremely difficult. One human, Shorn, who joins a group that is conspiring against the Teleks, decides offer the Teleks some vital information (which does not exist) in exchange for their teaching him telekinesis so he can be a Telek. He hopes to teach other ordinary people this power so they are not dominated and terrorized by the Teleks. The alternative plan is to try to kill all of the Teleks. But they would have to kill every one of them because if even one was left alive, there would be terrible retaliation. I suspect Telek was a story Vance wrote for his editor, John Campbell, who was editor of the magazine Astounding Science Fiction from 1937 to 1971 and who liked parapsychological themes. Telek was engaging enough to read but is not, by any means, top drawer Vance. I rated it a 3 "Liked it."
Noise-Jack Vance short story (author’s preferred title)
AKA: “Music of the Spheres”
"Noise" was published initially in August, 1952 in Startling Stories magazine. It is also known as “Music of the Spheres” and is a 13 page short story. A man crash lands on a distant planet and begins sending out distress signals, hoping to get rescued. He gradually begins to see and hear strange seductive things and is not sure if his senses have become more responsive or if he is hallucinating. It is a strange, moody, psychological, fantasy piece that is rather fascinating. I’ve read this several times and rated it a 3 “Liked it.”
Seven Exits from Bocz-Jack Vance short story
"Seven Exits to Bocz" is a 10 page short story that was published initially in June, 1952 in the fanzine “The Rhodomagnetic Digest, Volume 2, #3.” The main character, Nicholas Trasek, visits a scientist, Dr. Horzabky, to confront him about his role at the Bocz prison camp. Years ago Dr. Horzabky was a scientist assigned to a prison that was really more of a concentration camp during a war. During their conversation we learn of Dr. Horzabky’s activities in the prison. He also discusses the six panels with abstract paintings on them and a seventh one that is blank. Dr. Horzabky explains that each of these panels has a portal to another universe. The seventh panel leads to a universe that “is so alien to our world that light refuses to penetrate it.” These portals were a product of an experiment done by Dr. Horzabky years ago. While working at Bocz Dr. Horzabky conducted cruel experiments including a final experiment with Sixty eight thousand slave prisoners when he had them all drugged and then forced them to focus their mutual attention on panels of plywood. His instruction to all of them was to use their focused concentration to try to pierce holes in plywood panels painted with targets. He hoped that the combined mental power of 68,000 people would have a telepathic effect on the targets.
Dr. Horzabky’s plan was successful and each of the seven panels now had a hole in it. When he examined the holes he found that each one was a portal to a different universe. The enemy, the United Army of Occupation, was approaching and Horzabky did not want the prisoners to survive to become witnesses to his experiments so he forced all the prisoners to divide into seven groups and then for each group to go through one of the seven portals. Each of the seven portals led to a different experience for the person going through it with some turning to dust, some living but inside out humans, etc. Each of the seven pieces. One of these victims was Trasek's brother so Trasek has some ideas for revenge, but Dr. Horzabky has his own plans for dealing with Trasek and other visitors. I’ve read this story three times so far, found it fairly engaging, and rated it a 3 “Liked it.”
DP!-Jack Vance short story
"DP!" is a 22 page short story that sometimes does not have an exclamation point after the title. It was first released in April, 1953 in the Avon Science Fiction and Fantasy Reader. Vance wrote this story while vacationing in a village in the Austrian Tyrol and uses this location as the setting for the story. White humanoid troglodytes begin coming up out of the fissures in the earth after a lava flow forces them to the surface. The "Trogs" are initially killed by fearful humans until they are recognized as also being human. The harmless and helpless Trogs are blind and have no food or shelter. Prolonged exposure to the sun kills them. They are refugees, totally dependent on others. Eventually millions of Trogs climb up out of the earth and are stranded in a small area in Austria called Trog City. The United Nations becomes involved and some countries offer to take some of the Trogs as immigrants. Some citizens find this threatening and campaign against it. One country wonders if the Trogs could be used for cheap or free labor. It is a classic refugee ethical dilemma done Vancian style. I’ve read it several times rated it a 4 “Really liked it.”
The Absent-Minded Professor-Jack Vance short story (author’s preferred title)
AKA: “First Star I See Tonight”
"The Absent-Minded Professor" is a 16/17 page short story first published in Malcom's Mystery Magazine in March of 1954 under the pseudonym of John Van See. It is also known as "First Star I See Tonight." Vance mentioned in the Introduction to the collection The Dark Side of the Moon that he was rather fond of this story. It was influenced by some information Vance received regarding the competition between scientists in academia. The story is written in the first person singular and involves the rivalry between two astronomy professors who compete to gain more access time to the observatory telescope. It is more of a mystery story than science fiction. The main character, Sisley, is an assistant professor of astronomy who shares observatory time with elderly, fussy, cantankerous full professor named Dr. Patchen. Sisley’s frustration has reached a breaking point and he has made elaborate plans to deal with Patchen. I thought it was fairly interesting and entertaining story. I’ve read it four times and rated it a 3 “Liked it.”
Devil on Salvation Bluff-Jack Vance short story
"The Devil on Salvation Bluff," a short story of 23 pages, was published initially in 1955 in the book anthology Star Science Fiction Stories #3. Two missionaries, a married couple, live outside the main city on a planet called "Glory" where their ancestors from Earth crash landed 500 years ago. They maintain a huge clock (which is very symbolic) and adhere to Earth time (and customs) even though it does not apply to this planet which has a number of suns that seem to rise unpredictably. The two missionaries are responsible for "civilizing" the local natives, who live in the wild, by teaching them about manners, social behavior, adherence to schedules, and the importance of time and clocks. The locals raise goats, run around half naked, live in filthy conditions, refuse to live in the houses that the missionaries built for them, copulate in public and destroy the canals the missionaries make. The chief of the tribe is the only one who speaks their language, but he won't cooperate and calls the giant clock the devil, threatening to roll boulders down on it. The couple are concerned how an upcoming inspection will reflect on them and think the chief must be mentally ill to be so uncivilized, so they decide to take him to one of their hospitals for mental health treatment. Things do not work out as they expect, however. This is very easy to read, enjoyable and fairly interesting. I’ve read this four times so far and rate it a 4 “Really liked it.”
The Phantom Milkman-Jack Vance short story
"The Phantom Milkman" is a 13 page short story that was published initially in Other Worlds Science Stories in 1956. The main character, Isabel Durbrow, moves alone into a rural cabin where she hopes her estranged husband cannot find her. She places an outgoing letter in her mailbox addressed to the local dairy requesting milk delivery. But she notices that the letter disappeared from the mailbox before the mailman even arrived. Isabel does begin to receive milk even though her letter seemed to have been intercepted, but the milk delivery is from a different dairy, one that none of the local people have ever heard of. Her cats do not like this milk but do like milk she buys at the store from a different dairy. So Isabel leaves a note stating that her cats do not like the milk and asking for deliver to be cancelled. She receives a return note from the company, however, refusing to cease delivery but offering to purchase additional items for her. Isabel cannot locate the address of the dairy or even a phone number and is also unable to catch the person as the milk is delivered. Vance informs us in the Introduction that the idea for this story came when he was visiting friends at an old farm house and a quart of milk mysteriously appeared on the doorstep on morning. The story is engaging to read, and unpredictable. I’ve read it several times and rated it a 4 “Really liked it.”
Where Hesperus Falls-Jack Vance short story
"Where Hesperus Falls" is an 10 page short story that was published first in October, 1956 in Fantastic Universe magazine. Henry Revere is a man who lives in a very technologically advanced society where he is told, "you are not your own property. You are a ward of the race." Henry, you see, is over 96,000 years old and is kept living even though, "life long ago lost that freshness and anticipation which makes it enjoyable." Bored with life, Henry keeps trying to kill himself but is thwarted each time by the intense surveillance and advanced medical skills of those who watch over him as his "servants." He is not really a prisoner, but he is not allowed to die. Thousands of years ago Henry had been a bio-chemist and offered himself as the subject of an experiment. But this resulted in "an incalculable error had distorted the experiment, with my immortality as the perverse result." He now finds himself being, "a living fossil, a curio among curious, a public ward, a creature denied the option of life or death." Henry's only interest other than suicide is writing his great "History of Man." What Henry does about his dilemma and how he does it are the basis of the story. I’ve read this three time so far and rated it a 3 "Liked it."
A Practical Man's Guide-Jack Vance short story
"A Practical Man's Guide" is a 9 page short story that was initially released on August, 1957 in Space Science Fiction Magazine. It is a humorous story about a Ralph Banks, editor of Popular Crafts Monthly. In addition to articles, sketches, photographs and working models of various crafts and inventions, he also receives some very odd plans, formulas and suggestions that are filed in a large basked labeled Screwball Alley. Ralph receives a bizarre set of directions with sensational claims from a man who provides a return address at the Archives of the Smithsonian Institute. He calls the Institute to talk with the man, but is unable to reach him initially. So while waiting for the return call he begins compiling ingredients for the formula that the man has provided. It is all light hearted and fun I’ve read it several times and I rated it a 3 “Liked it.”
The House Lords-Jack Vance short story
"The House Lords" is a 16 page short story that was published initially in Saturn magazine in October, 1957. In later years, when discussing this story, Vance mentioned that he had little recollection of it. An “Astrographical Societyz’ ship from Earth arrives on
October 2, 2021
This was my bedtime reading for several months. A broad selection of Vance's short stories, all written for the pulps early in his career. The quality of the writing is not what we enjoy in Vance's later work, but the cleverness of his later writing is in full evidence here. Well worth taking the time to enjoy!
Bonus: while this is the VIE edition, it does not include Rhodes terrible artwork or the lousy font from that expensive volume.
Bonus: while this is the VIE edition, it does not include Rhodes terrible artwork or the lousy font from that expensive volume.
November 29, 2023
The imagination this man had was incredible. And being able to tie his wild ideas down with concrete, fable like stories is even more remarkable. He crafts a remarkably timeless sort of science fiction that doesn't suffer from the temporality or short sightedness of others. His aliens are alien, his tech is wondrous, and his deadpan humor is spot on.
I highly recommend this as a great starting point for Jack Vance.
I highly recommend this as a great starting point for Jack Vance.
July 24, 2019
A selection of Vance’s early stories. This was published as part of the VIE - previously all stories where published in other collections, often multiple times.
The stories are of mixed quality ranging from mundane to quite good. This book will appeal to Vance completionists who have read his other better collections, but there are enough good yarns to make it worth picking up for people who generally enjoy the form.
The World-Thinker (1944)
*** Lanark hunts the criminal Isabel May who holds the key to Earths financial computers. She takes refuge in a world constructed in the mind of Laoome, an alien capable of imagining whole planets.
I'll Build Your Dream Castle (1946)
*** An engineer falls out with his house manufacturing company and creates a clever alternative. Set at a blistering pace.
The God and the Temple Robber (1946)
*** Briar Kelly goes to a temple of the alien species Han and steals an orb. The Han punish him by sending him to their God.
Men of the Ten Books (1949)
** A pair of explorers land on a planet that has been colonized centuries previous. The colonists live in a paradise with advanced technologies, yet they revere Earth which they from "The Encyclopaedia of Human Achievement".
Seven Exits from Bocz (1949)
** A future war criminal having killed thousands with three strange portals find himself accosted by a survivor.
Telek (1951)
**** Teleks a group of humans who have learned Telekinetic powers control the world. A small group of revolutionaries seek to overthrow the order.
The Secret (1951)
**** The story follows a young man who has grown up on an island where all people upon reaching adulthood, take a sailing boat and sail into unknown waters to learn the great secret.
Noise (1952)
** A man crash lands on a strange uncharted planet on which he begins to see and hear strange hallucinations.
D.P. (1951)
*** Told from the perspective of collected newspaper clippings, memorandum and speeches we learn how Troglodytes in the millions begin to appear in occupied Austria and the worlds reaction to their plight.
The Absent Minded Professor (1953)
***** A truly wonderful tale of an astronomer murdering his rival.
The Devil on Salvation Bluff (1954)
** Colonists on a planet with a completely unpredictable arrangement of suns attempt to live as they did on earth, meanwhile previous colonists live a wild lifestyle which the new colonists try to curb.
The Phantom Milkman (1955)
*** Isabel begins receiving regular milk delivers despite no one knowing the name of the dairy, or he being able to see the milkman.
Where Hesperus Falls (1955)
**** Henry Revere is over 96,000 years old, and is kept in what is almost a zoo by the advanced evolutionary descendants of current humans. Boredom has led to an intense desire to die, which he is forbidden.
A Practical Man's Guide (1956)
** The editor of Popular Crafts Monthly receives a strange letter from the Smithsonian institute with instruction for making a marvelous invention.
The House Lords (1956)
*** A ship from the Astrographical Society lands on a planet that is surprisingly inhabited by Wild Men and House Lords who inexplicably speak English.
The stories are of mixed quality ranging from mundane to quite good. This book will appeal to Vance completionists who have read his other better collections, but there are enough good yarns to make it worth picking up for people who generally enjoy the form.
The World-Thinker (1944)
*** Lanark hunts the criminal Isabel May who holds the key to Earths financial computers. She takes refuge in a world constructed in the mind of Laoome, an alien capable of imagining whole planets.
I'll Build Your Dream Castle (1946)
*** An engineer falls out with his house manufacturing company and creates a clever alternative. Set at a blistering pace.
The God and the Temple Robber (1946)
*** Briar Kelly goes to a temple of the alien species Han and steals an orb. The Han punish him by sending him to their God.
Men of the Ten Books (1949)
** A pair of explorers land on a planet that has been colonized centuries previous. The colonists live in a paradise with advanced technologies, yet they revere Earth which they from "The Encyclopaedia of Human Achievement".
Seven Exits from Bocz (1949)
** A future war criminal having killed thousands with three strange portals find himself accosted by a survivor.
Telek (1951)
**** Teleks a group of humans who have learned Telekinetic powers control the world. A small group of revolutionaries seek to overthrow the order.
The Secret (1951)
**** The story follows a young man who has grown up on an island where all people upon reaching adulthood, take a sailing boat and sail into unknown waters to learn the great secret.
Noise (1952)
** A man crash lands on a strange uncharted planet on which he begins to see and hear strange hallucinations.
D.P. (1951)
*** Told from the perspective of collected newspaper clippings, memorandum and speeches we learn how Troglodytes in the millions begin to appear in occupied Austria and the worlds reaction to their plight.
The Absent Minded Professor (1953)
***** A truly wonderful tale of an astronomer murdering his rival.
The Devil on Salvation Bluff (1954)
** Colonists on a planet with a completely unpredictable arrangement of suns attempt to live as they did on earth, meanwhile previous colonists live a wild lifestyle which the new colonists try to curb.
The Phantom Milkman (1955)
*** Isabel begins receiving regular milk delivers despite no one knowing the name of the dairy, or he being able to see the milkman.
Where Hesperus Falls (1955)
**** Henry Revere is over 96,000 years old, and is kept in what is almost a zoo by the advanced evolutionary descendants of current humans. Boredom has led to an intense desire to die, which he is forbidden.
A Practical Man's Guide (1956)
** The editor of Popular Crafts Monthly receives a strange letter from the Smithsonian institute with instruction for making a marvelous invention.
The House Lords (1956)
*** A ship from the Astrographical Society lands on a planet that is surprisingly inhabited by Wild Men and House Lords who inexplicably speak English.
May 22, 2020
This contains 15 stories. Two are from the 1940s, twelve are from the 1950s and the final story is from 1966. There is also a fascinating foreward by David B Williams. The stories are:
The World-Thinker
I’ll Build Your Dream Castle
The Ten Books
The God and the Temple Robber
Telek
Noise
Seven Exits from Bocz
DP!
The Absent Minded Professor
The Devil on Salvation Bluff
The Phantom Milkman
Where Hesperus Falls
A Practical Man’s Guide
The House Lords
The Secret
Six of the stories have previously been collected in "The dark side of the moon", three have been collected in "The narrow land" and one has been collected in "Fantasms & Magics". I enjoyed reading this even though I had read most of the stories before several times.
The World-Thinker
I’ll Build Your Dream Castle
The Ten Books
The God and the Temple Robber
Telek
Noise
Seven Exits from Bocz
DP!
The Absent Minded Professor
The Devil on Salvation Bluff
The Phantom Milkman
Where Hesperus Falls
A Practical Man’s Guide
The House Lords
The Secret
Six of the stories have previously been collected in "The dark side of the moon", three have been collected in "The narrow land" and one has been collected in "Fantasms & Magics". I enjoyed reading this even though I had read most of the stories before several times.
May 23, 2015
Fun short stories
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