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The Moon Moth and Other Stories
Contains the stories:
The New Prime
The Men Return
Ullward's Retreat
Dodkin's Job
The Moon Moth
Green Magic
Alfred's Ark
Sulwen's Planet
Rumfuddle
NOTE: The hardcover collection from Dobson use the same title but has different content.
The New Prime
The Men Return
Ullward's Retreat
Dodkin's Job
The Moon Moth
Green Magic
Alfred's Ark
Sulwen's Planet
Rumfuddle
NOTE: The hardcover collection from Dobson use the same title but has different content.
225 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
About the author
Jack Vance
797 books1,631 followersAka John Holbrook Vance, Peter Held, Ellery Queen, Alan Wade.
John Holbrook Vance was an American writer widely celebrated for his imaginative contributions to science fiction, fantasy, and mystery literature. Over a career that spanned more than six decades, he became known for richly detailed worlds, inventive language, and stories that combined adventure with sharp social observation. His work influenced generations of speculative fiction writers and helped expand the literary possibilities of the genre. Vance wrote more than sixty books and numerous short stories, many first appearing in science fiction magazines before later being expanded into novels and collections. His fiction was widely translated and developed an international readership.
Vance grew up in California and spent part of his youth on a ranch near the Sacramento River delta, where he developed a love of the outdoors and an appetite for reading. The family experienced financial hardship during the Great Depression, prompting him to take a variety of jobs before completing his studies at the University of California, Berkeley. During these years he worked in several trades and cultivated interests in music, travel, and sailing, experiences that later informed many of the settings and themes in his fiction. Before becoming a full-time writer he held numerous occupations, including shipyard worker, merchant seaman, carpenter, and surveyor.
His earliest published story appeared in the mid 1940s in a science fiction magazine, marking the beginning of a long writing career. Throughout the following decades he produced stories across multiple genres, though he became best known for science fiction and fantasy cycles that combined imaginative settings with elaborate cultures and social systems. Among his most famous works are The Dragon Masters and The Last Castle, both of which received Hugo Awards. The Last Castle also earned the Nebula Award, confirming Vance's reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in speculative fiction. His fantasy trilogy Lyonesse later received the World Fantasy Award, while his memoir This Is Me, Jack Vance! earned another Hugo decades later.
In addition to speculative fiction, Vance wrote several mystery novels, some under pseudonyms including Ellery Queen. These works often blended crime elements with psychological or social themes and sometimes anticipated ideas that later appeared in his science fiction. His storytelling frequently emphasized cultural conflict, moral ambiguity, and intricate social customs rather than large-scale warfare, setting him apart from many contemporaries in the genre.
Vance maintained close friendships with other science fiction writers and participated in literary communities that shaped postwar American speculative fiction. He traveled widely with his family and spent extended periods abroad, experiences that influenced the exotic settings and cosmopolitan tone found in many of his books. Music also played a role in his life and writing, reflecting his long-standing enthusiasm for traditional jazz.
Despite gradually losing his eyesight later in life, Vance continued writing with the aid of specialized software and completed both fiction and autobiography in his later years. Over time his reputation grew steadily, and he received numerous honors, including the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement and recognition as a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Critics and fellow writers often praised his distinctive style, wit, and imagination, and his stories remain widely read within the science fiction and fantasy community.
John Holbrook Vance was an American writer widely celebrated for his imaginative contributions to science fiction, fantasy, and mystery literature. Over a career that spanned more than six decades, he became known for richly detailed worlds, inventive language, and stories that combined adventure with sharp social observation. His work influenced generations of speculative fiction writers and helped expand the literary possibilities of the genre. Vance wrote more than sixty books and numerous short stories, many first appearing in science fiction magazines before later being expanded into novels and collections. His fiction was widely translated and developed an international readership.
Vance grew up in California and spent part of his youth on a ranch near the Sacramento River delta, where he developed a love of the outdoors and an appetite for reading. The family experienced financial hardship during the Great Depression, prompting him to take a variety of jobs before completing his studies at the University of California, Berkeley. During these years he worked in several trades and cultivated interests in music, travel, and sailing, experiences that later informed many of the settings and themes in his fiction. Before becoming a full-time writer he held numerous occupations, including shipyard worker, merchant seaman, carpenter, and surveyor.
His earliest published story appeared in the mid 1940s in a science fiction magazine, marking the beginning of a long writing career. Throughout the following decades he produced stories across multiple genres, though he became best known for science fiction and fantasy cycles that combined imaginative settings with elaborate cultures and social systems. Among his most famous works are The Dragon Masters and The Last Castle, both of which received Hugo Awards. The Last Castle also earned the Nebula Award, confirming Vance's reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in speculative fiction. His fantasy trilogy Lyonesse later received the World Fantasy Award, while his memoir This Is Me, Jack Vance! earned another Hugo decades later.
In addition to speculative fiction, Vance wrote several mystery novels, some under pseudonyms including Ellery Queen. These works often blended crime elements with psychological or social themes and sometimes anticipated ideas that later appeared in his science fiction. His storytelling frequently emphasized cultural conflict, moral ambiguity, and intricate social customs rather than large-scale warfare, setting him apart from many contemporaries in the genre.
Vance maintained close friendships with other science fiction writers and participated in literary communities that shaped postwar American speculative fiction. He traveled widely with his family and spent extended periods abroad, experiences that influenced the exotic settings and cosmopolitan tone found in many of his books. Music also played a role in his life and writing, reflecting his long-standing enthusiasm for traditional jazz.
Despite gradually losing his eyesight later in life, Vance continued writing with the aid of specialized software and completed both fiction and autobiography in his later years. Over time his reputation grew steadily, and he received numerous honors, including the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement and recognition as a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Critics and fellow writers often praised his distinctive style, wit, and imagination, and his stories remain widely read within the science fiction and fantasy community.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 28, 2024
This 2012 edition by Spatterlight Press has the same contents as the 2002 leather bound book The Moon Moth and Other Stories (Vance Integral Edition vol. 17) and the 2012 Spatterlight trade paperback They have the same eleven stories. Five are short stories, five are Novelettes and one is a novella. This should not be confused with the 1976 British book with the same title. The contents are not the same and only two of the stories even overlap. The British issue has only five short works. This is the finest collection of short works by Vance and deserves a rating of 5. A brief description of each story is listed below alphabetically.
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"Alfred's Ark" is an 6 page short story first published in New Worlds Science Fiction in 1965. It is a short, simple story that cuts to the quick of human behavior. Alfred believes there will be a Biblical flood in less than a year so he sells his business for very little profit in order to build an ark. He even runs an ad in the local paper asking for donations and volunteers but receives mostly ridicule in response. Alfred will only take a few domestic animals along because he does not have the resources to include wild ones. He hopes that some woman will offer to join him but says if necessary he will hire a woman to board the ark with him on the day of the predicted storm. He feels she will eventually grow to like him if they end up being the last two surviving people on Earth. How Alfred is treated by people in his local community and human behavior in general is the underlying theme. In the Introduction Vance informs us that "Alfred's Ark" is one of his favorite stories and that it "tells you all you need to know in regard to the human condition." I really liked it and rated it 4.
"Dodkin's Job" is a 38 page novelette that was first published in 1959 in the magazine Amazing Science Fiction. This is not really science fiction, fantasy or mystery but more of an ironic dystopian story with hints of Kafka and even Monty Python. I loved this story and thought it was hilarious. If you have ever worked in a big bureaucracy or have had to deal with one, you will probably identify with the main character who lives in a "big brother" like society where, "The population ordered their lives by schedule, classification and precedent." Luke Grogatch is too rational for such a society so he keeps losing jobs and has now been demoted to the rating of "Flunky/ClassD/Unskilled." If he gets demoted again he could end up being sent to the "Disorganized House" where he would be nonclassified and isolated with "criminals, idiots, children and proved Nonconformists." He decides to "submit slavishly to witless regulations" and begins his new job shoveling debris in a sewage system by hand using a shovel. All of his suggestions for improving the job are rejected, and the work seems meaningless. One day a new directive is announced ordering all employees to turn in their tools at a central warehouse at the end of the day and pick them up again each morning. This applies to Luke's shovel. He asks if he can purchase his own shovel and not have to turn it in each day but is told that the directive says "all tools" so that even a self purchased tool would not be exempt. Luke complies at first. But after the lengthy trip to turn in the shovel, he has to wait in a long line with the whole process taking an hour and a half. This means he will have to spend three hours each day dropping off and picking up his shovel. Luke decides to object by appealing to those who issued the directive but each supervisor claims he was simply following orders from above. Luke continues appealing to those higher up in administration, assuming that he will finally encounter the person who is responsible for the directive. His encounters with ineffective, irresponsible, uncaring bureaucratic officials develop into one of the funniest stories I've read in a long time. Dodkin, by the way, is a person Luke meets later who has what Luke considers to be the ideal job. I rated this great story as a 5.
"Green Magic" is an 18 page short story that was first published in 1963 in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. It is a philosophical fantasy story rather than science fiction. Howard Fair is well trained in white magic and black magic and knows some purple magic. He is intrigued when he finds an old notebook by his great uncle that describes green magic. He meets some sprites who come from a world of green magic but who warn him that it would be dangerous for him to study it. He is told that his grand uncle studied it and ended up regretting having done so. Despite their warnings, Fair's curiosity and desire to learn are greater than any concerns he has and he manages to persuade the sprites to allow him to learn green magic. His learning is described as a fascinating process and it changes him forever. Is it sometimes better to remain ignorant and innocent? Is it worthwhile to try to discover knowledge that might make you unhappy or discontent? These questions and others are explored in this story which I found to be quite interesting. I rated it a 4.
"The Men Return" was first published in 1957 and is a 9 page short story. It is rather like two universes that overlap after 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 rather fascinating and rated it 3: "Liked it."
"The Moon Moth," is a marvelous work, a novelette of 39 pages that was first published in Galaxy Magazine in August, 1961. It takes place on the planet Sirene where adherence to specific local customs and protocol is more important than money or even life itself. Edwer Thissell was recently appointed as the new Consular Representative from Earth after the previous Representative to Sirene was killed because he violated a social norm. Thissell has been taking lessons to learn to play various musical instruments in order to communicate with the locals. All communication on Sirene must be made by playing the appropriate musical instruments and singing in a certain respectful way. Social behavior expected on Sirene is so detailed and complex that it is almost incomprehensible to anyone not born in the culture. Slight violations or mistakes might be interpreted as a grave insult or offense and can lead to bodily harm or even death. All of the Sirene residents also wear special masks as must the four men from Earth. Only certain types of masks can be worn depending on the status and musical skills of the wearer. The mask Thissell wears is of the "moon moth." It is a mask of low prestige but a safe one to wear. Thissell is sent a special message by his superiors assigning him the duty of capturing an assassin from Earth who will soon arrive to Sirene. Unfortunately the message is delayed, and the assassin is able to elude capture. Thissell must begin the process of tracking him down in the town where he has to interact with the local people. He knows that violating the strict rules of behavior can lead to severe consequences but he also knows that he will lose his job if he fails. As in many of Vance’s writings he creates a world or society that has strange, often seemingly nonsensical rules and social norms that, although absurd to us as outsiders, are in many ways no more strange than ones in our own cultures on Earth. One obvious one is that masks in Sirene are like social fronts or facades that we encounter with people in our own culture daily. Esteem and status in Sirene culture are based on such things as the quality of singing and playing strange musical instruments. On Earth, in many places, social status is often based on such things as being a popular musician, actor, or athlete. Social communication varies among different cultures on Earth so we would expect it to be different on the planet of Sirene. If an outsider from another world viewed various cultures on Earth with their unique rules and social norms they would probably appear to be as odd and arbitrary as those on the planet Sirene seem to us. Vance is an amazingly skillful creator of other worlds and these strange worlds often prompt us to see the strange and irrational elements of our own culture.The Moon Moth is complex, well thought out and skillfully written. I’ve read and reread every published work by Vance and this is probably the finest short work Vance ever wrote and is essential reading, a real classic. My rating: 5.
"The New Prime" was first published under the title “Brain of the Galaxy” in the February, 1951 issue of the magazine Worlds Beyond and is a 25 page novelette. 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 final scene our main 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 rated it a 3 "Liked it"
"Rumfuddle" is a 57 page novella that was initially published in 1973 in an anthology called Three Trips in Time and Space. It had been commissioned for a collection of three stories on the same theme by three different authors. It is an odd and rather lose story about portals that open to different universes. The portals also allow time travel (backwards but not forward) and one might even encounter multiple selves that exist in alternate universes. Initially the portals were used to solve social, economic and other problems, but some people are now using the portals for entertainment purposes and even mischief. If you can go with the flow of this story and accept the loose ends, it can be entertaining and humorous. Where else would you encounter a football team where the quarterback is Machiavelli and the front line is manned by Achilles, Charlemagne, Hercules, Goliath, Samson, Richard the Lion Hearted and Billy the Kid? This is not a story that will appeal to everyone, but I liked it and gave it a 4.
"Sulwen's Planet" is a 15 page short story that was first released in The Farthest Reaches in 1968. It is a light, humorous story. Two language professors Gench and Kosmin plus twenty four others visit Selwyn's planet to investigate the wreckage remaining from a war fought by two alien species, one resembling wasps and the other sea cows. Although this happened sixty-two thousand years ago, the atmosphere and environment of the planet have kept the spaceships and wreckage in nearly pristine condition. Unfortunately Gench and Kosmin have overlapping duties and areas of expertise, resulting in repeated conflicts. Each tries to undermine the other and take control until their duties are finally divided up so that one is in charge of investigating the crashed ships of the wasps and the other of investigating those of the sea cows. But even this division of duties is not enough to keep the two professors from trying to outdo, embarrass and deprecate the other. You might be able to guess the ending. This is a fun read but minor Vance. I rated it a 3.
"Ullward's Retreat" was written by Vance in 1957 and published initially in 1958 in Galaxy Magazine. It is a 24 page novelette. Bruham Ullward is a wealthy man who lives in a futuristic society where real estate is incredibly expensive and conditions very crowded. He has the rare luxury of having a real tree and moss on his property. Sometimes he offers the rare gift of a real leaf to visitors. Electronic "illusion-panes" simulate three dimensional electronic scenes of beautiful views by generating mountains, valleys, skies and moons. Ullward wants to expand his property by purchasing small parcels even at their outrageously high prices, but other owners won't sell. He is delighted when he encounters an opportunity to lease half a planet where he will have plenty of room. Ullward builds his new retreat on this planet and moves. The owner lives on the other half of the planet, and there is a strict contract rule forbidding trespass on the other's property. Ironically when visitors arrive at his new home, they compare his beautiful natural views to illusion-panes, claim the natural rocks do not look real, are fearful of the waves on a real beach, and even object to Ullward's new privacy stating, "I love the privacy and solitude--but I thought there'd be more people to be private from." Ullward also begins having privacy issues with the owner even though each of them has half of the planet to himself. Was he better off back on his crowded home planet where nature, scenic views and many other things were synthetic or simulated? It is a fun and interesting story that Vance himself continued to like. I rated it a 4.
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"Alfred's Ark" is an 6 page short story first published in New Worlds Science Fiction in 1965. It is a short, simple story that cuts to the quick of human behavior. Alfred believes there will be a Biblical flood in less than a year so he sells his business for very little profit in order to build an ark. He even runs an ad in the local paper asking for donations and volunteers but receives mostly ridicule in response. Alfred will only take a few domestic animals along because he does not have the resources to include wild ones. He hopes that some woman will offer to join him but says if necessary he will hire a woman to board the ark with him on the day of the predicted storm. He feels she will eventually grow to like him if they end up being the last two surviving people on Earth. How Alfred is treated by people in his local community and human behavior in general is the underlying theme. In the Introduction Vance informs us that "Alfred's Ark" is one of his favorite stories and that it "tells you all you need to know in regard to the human condition." I really liked it and rated it 4.
"Dodkin's Job" is a 38 page novelette that was first published in 1959 in the magazine Amazing Science Fiction. This is not really science fiction, fantasy or mystery but more of an ironic dystopian story with hints of Kafka and even Monty Python. I loved this story and thought it was hilarious. If you have ever worked in a big bureaucracy or have had to deal with one, you will probably identify with the main character who lives in a "big brother" like society where, "The population ordered their lives by schedule, classification and precedent." Luke Grogatch is too rational for such a society so he keeps losing jobs and has now been demoted to the rating of "Flunky/ClassD/Unskilled." If he gets demoted again he could end up being sent to the "Disorganized House" where he would be nonclassified and isolated with "criminals, idiots, children and proved Nonconformists." He decides to "submit slavishly to witless regulations" and begins his new job shoveling debris in a sewage system by hand using a shovel. All of his suggestions for improving the job are rejected, and the work seems meaningless. One day a new directive is announced ordering all employees to turn in their tools at a central warehouse at the end of the day and pick them up again each morning. This applies to Luke's shovel. He asks if he can purchase his own shovel and not have to turn it in each day but is told that the directive says "all tools" so that even a self purchased tool would not be exempt. Luke complies at first. But after the lengthy trip to turn in the shovel, he has to wait in a long line with the whole process taking an hour and a half. This means he will have to spend three hours each day dropping off and picking up his shovel. Luke decides to object by appealing to those who issued the directive but each supervisor claims he was simply following orders from above. Luke continues appealing to those higher up in administration, assuming that he will finally encounter the person who is responsible for the directive. His encounters with ineffective, irresponsible, uncaring bureaucratic officials develop into one of the funniest stories I've read in a long time. Dodkin, by the way, is a person Luke meets later who has what Luke considers to be the ideal job. I rated this great story as a 5.
"Green Magic" is an 18 page short story that was first published in 1963 in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. It is a philosophical fantasy story rather than science fiction. Howard Fair is well trained in white magic and black magic and knows some purple magic. He is intrigued when he finds an old notebook by his great uncle that describes green magic. He meets some sprites who come from a world of green magic but who warn him that it would be dangerous for him to study it. He is told that his grand uncle studied it and ended up regretting having done so. Despite their warnings, Fair's curiosity and desire to learn are greater than any concerns he has and he manages to persuade the sprites to allow him to learn green magic. His learning is described as a fascinating process and it changes him forever. Is it sometimes better to remain ignorant and innocent? Is it worthwhile to try to discover knowledge that might make you unhappy or discontent? These questions and others are explored in this story which I found to be quite interesting. I rated it a 4.
"The Men Return" was first published in 1957 and is a 9 page short story. It is rather like two universes that overlap after 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 rather fascinating and rated it 3: "Liked it."
"The Moon Moth," is a marvelous work, a novelette of 39 pages that was first published in Galaxy Magazine in August, 1961. It takes place on the planet Sirene where adherence to specific local customs and protocol is more important than money or even life itself. Edwer Thissell was recently appointed as the new Consular Representative from Earth after the previous Representative to Sirene was killed because he violated a social norm. Thissell has been taking lessons to learn to play various musical instruments in order to communicate with the locals. All communication on Sirene must be made by playing the appropriate musical instruments and singing in a certain respectful way. Social behavior expected on Sirene is so detailed and complex that it is almost incomprehensible to anyone not born in the culture. Slight violations or mistakes might be interpreted as a grave insult or offense and can lead to bodily harm or even death. All of the Sirene residents also wear special masks as must the four men from Earth. Only certain types of masks can be worn depending on the status and musical skills of the wearer. The mask Thissell wears is of the "moon moth." It is a mask of low prestige but a safe one to wear. Thissell is sent a special message by his superiors assigning him the duty of capturing an assassin from Earth who will soon arrive to Sirene. Unfortunately the message is delayed, and the assassin is able to elude capture. Thissell must begin the process of tracking him down in the town where he has to interact with the local people. He knows that violating the strict rules of behavior can lead to severe consequences but he also knows that he will lose his job if he fails. As in many of Vance’s writings he creates a world or society that has strange, often seemingly nonsensical rules and social norms that, although absurd to us as outsiders, are in many ways no more strange than ones in our own cultures on Earth. One obvious one is that masks in Sirene are like social fronts or facades that we encounter with people in our own culture daily. Esteem and status in Sirene culture are based on such things as the quality of singing and playing strange musical instruments. On Earth, in many places, social status is often based on such things as being a popular musician, actor, or athlete. Social communication varies among different cultures on Earth so we would expect it to be different on the planet of Sirene. If an outsider from another world viewed various cultures on Earth with their unique rules and social norms they would probably appear to be as odd and arbitrary as those on the planet Sirene seem to us. Vance is an amazingly skillful creator of other worlds and these strange worlds often prompt us to see the strange and irrational elements of our own culture.The Moon Moth is complex, well thought out and skillfully written. I’ve read and reread every published work by Vance and this is probably the finest short work Vance ever wrote and is essential reading, a real classic. My rating: 5.
"The New Prime" was first published under the title “Brain of the Galaxy” in the February, 1951 issue of the magazine Worlds Beyond and is a 25 page novelette. 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 final scene our main 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 rated it a 3 "Liked it"
"Rumfuddle" is a 57 page novella that was initially published in 1973 in an anthology called Three Trips in Time and Space. It had been commissioned for a collection of three stories on the same theme by three different authors. It is an odd and rather lose story about portals that open to different universes. The portals also allow time travel (backwards but not forward) and one might even encounter multiple selves that exist in alternate universes. Initially the portals were used to solve social, economic and other problems, but some people are now using the portals for entertainment purposes and even mischief. If you can go with the flow of this story and accept the loose ends, it can be entertaining and humorous. Where else would you encounter a football team where the quarterback is Machiavelli and the front line is manned by Achilles, Charlemagne, Hercules, Goliath, Samson, Richard the Lion Hearted and Billy the Kid? This is not a story that will appeal to everyone, but I liked it and gave it a 4.
"Sulwen's Planet" is a 15 page short story that was first released in The Farthest Reaches in 1968. It is a light, humorous story. Two language professors Gench and Kosmin plus twenty four others visit Selwyn's planet to investigate the wreckage remaining from a war fought by two alien species, one resembling wasps and the other sea cows. Although this happened sixty-two thousand years ago, the atmosphere and environment of the planet have kept the spaceships and wreckage in nearly pristine condition. Unfortunately Gench and Kosmin have overlapping duties and areas of expertise, resulting in repeated conflicts. Each tries to undermine the other and take control until their duties are finally divided up so that one is in charge of investigating the crashed ships of the wasps and the other of investigating those of the sea cows. But even this division of duties is not enough to keep the two professors from trying to outdo, embarrass and deprecate the other. You might be able to guess the ending. This is a fun read but minor Vance. I rated it a 3.
"Ullward's Retreat" was written by Vance in 1957 and published initially in 1958 in Galaxy Magazine. It is a 24 page novelette. Bruham Ullward is a wealthy man who lives in a futuristic society where real estate is incredibly expensive and conditions very crowded. He has the rare luxury of having a real tree and moss on his property. Sometimes he offers the rare gift of a real leaf to visitors. Electronic "illusion-panes" simulate three dimensional electronic scenes of beautiful views by generating mountains, valleys, skies and moons. Ullward wants to expand his property by purchasing small parcels even at their outrageously high prices, but other owners won't sell. He is delighted when he encounters an opportunity to lease half a planet where he will have plenty of room. Ullward builds his new retreat on this planet and moves. The owner lives on the other half of the planet, and there is a strict contract rule forbidding trespass on the other's property. Ironically when visitors arrive at his new home, they compare his beautiful natural views to illusion-panes, claim the natural rocks do not look real, are fearful of the waves on a real beach, and even object to Ullward's new privacy stating, "I love the privacy and solitude--but I thought there'd be more people to be private from." Ullward also begins having privacy issues with the owner even though each of them has half of the planet to himself. Was he better off back on his crowded home planet where nature, scenic views and many other things were synthetic or simulated? It is a fun and interesting story that Vance himself continued to like. I rated it a 4.
April 21, 2026
Even for the Vance library, this collection of stories is superlative.
The first story, "The Kokod Warriors," is a distillation of a certain aspect of Vance. Here what stands out above all else is his concise witty dialogue. It has the unmistakable Vanceian jaunty attitude.
"The New Prime" is great because it also is a distillation of one of Vance's superpowers: to create an entire character, scene, plot, world with just a few bold strokes, finding the perfect details and words (real or invented)to use. It is always magical and a wonder to behold and he does it over and over in this story.
This collection just gets better from there.
Overall these stories are delightful. Every one is a pleasure to read and eminently entertaining. All contain the wry wit, fecund linguistics, and brilliantly concise prose of perfectly chosen words, both real and invented, that are the hallmarks of Vance's work.
And while your mileage may vary, the story "Green Magic" is one of the most incredible things I've ever read.
The level of paranoia in the last story is insane. So intense that I began to wonder if Vance was just not aware of how crazy frustrating it was to have the information titrated so viciously. But of course I should have trusted him :-)
'Cause he's Jack effin' Vance.
The first story, "The Kokod Warriors," is a distillation of a certain aspect of Vance. Here what stands out above all else is his concise witty dialogue. It has the unmistakable Vanceian jaunty attitude.
"The New Prime" is great because it also is a distillation of one of Vance's superpowers: to create an entire character, scene, plot, world with just a few bold strokes, finding the perfect details and words (real or invented)to use. It is always magical and a wonder to behold and he does it over and over in this story.
This collection just gets better from there.
Overall these stories are delightful. Every one is a pleasure to read and eminently entertaining. All contain the wry wit, fecund linguistics, and brilliantly concise prose of perfectly chosen words, both real and invented, that are the hallmarks of Vance's work.
And while your mileage may vary, the story "Green Magic" is one of the most incredible things I've ever read.
The level of paranoia in the last story is insane. So intense that I began to wonder if Vance was just not aware of how crazy frustrating it was to have the information titrated so viciously. But of course I should have trusted him :-)
'Cause he's Jack effin' Vance.
June 15, 2017
I really like books of short stories. I find them satisfying for when I can't devote hours to reading. This book had five short stories worth talking about that I liked, one that wasn't so remarkable, and two that I didn't like (but one of those was still worth talking about).
I liked many of the stories: The New Prime had a really satisfying resolution and very interesting vignettes. The Men Return was a great concept for a world and weird and savage. Dodkin's Job kept me a little on my seat and made me laugh at the end. Alfred's Ark was somewhat predictable but funny as well. Sulwen's Planet was a little contrived, but good. Rumfuddle was also funny and mysterious.
I'm undecided on The Moon Moth. I liked it, but the end was too silly.
Ullward's Retreat and Green Magic were duds for me. Ullward's Retreat was a great concept, but the execution really irked me. People acted naturally (that's the point of the story) but developed unnaturally. They were too extremely out of character. The progression was missing.
I liked many of the stories: The New Prime had a really satisfying resolution and very interesting vignettes. The Men Return was a great concept for a world and weird and savage. Dodkin's Job kept me a little on my seat and made me laugh at the end. Alfred's Ark was somewhat predictable but funny as well. Sulwen's Planet was a little contrived, but good. Rumfuddle was also funny and mysterious.
I'm undecided on The Moon Moth. I liked it, but the end was too silly.
Ullward's Retreat and Green Magic were duds for me. Ullward's Retreat was a great concept, but the execution really irked me. People acted naturally (that's the point of the story) but developed unnaturally. They were too extremely out of character. The progression was missing.
November 20, 2023
The title story, The Moon Moth, is brilliant and has aged very well. I reviewed the story on my blog in detail https://rinsemiddlebliss.com/posts/20...
The other stories vary in both in how creative they are and how well they have aged--by which I mean mostly are they unthinkingly reproducing early 20th century American ideas of a family, social structure, and gender roles. Dodkin's Job was fun, and The Men Return was one of the fucking weirdest thought experiments I've read in a while. I still think the main reason to buy this book is to have your own copy of the brillinant and perfect title story, The Moon Moth.
The other stories vary in both in how creative they are and how well they have aged--by which I mean mostly are they unthinkingly reproducing early 20th century American ideas of a family, social structure, and gender roles. Dodkin's Job was fun, and The Men Return was one of the fucking weirdest thought experiments I've read in a while. I still think the main reason to buy this book is to have your own copy of the brillinant and perfect title story, The Moon Moth.
August 8, 2024
Several of Vance's best and most famous SF short stories, the best being:
The Men Return--Earth flies through an area of unlogic
The Moon Moth--an early foray into Vance's theme of how strangely people's beliefs will evolve over time, here involving the wearing of masks, use of hand instruments, and social credit as a means of exchange.
Rumfuddle--a machine that opens paths in time and space, but always to nearby alternate universes.
One fantasy story--Green Magic--which is forbidden magic
The Men Return--Earth flies through an area of unlogic
The Moon Moth--an early foray into Vance's theme of how strangely people's beliefs will evolve over time, here involving the wearing of masks, use of hand instruments, and social credit as a means of exchange.
Rumfuddle--a machine that opens paths in time and space, but always to nearby alternate universes.
One fantasy story--Green Magic--which is forbidden magic
January 10, 2025
Not a single weak story. Rehabilitating into a salaryman is funny.
June 1, 2013
If you want to see Jack Vance in his (short story) prime, this is the collection you want. The highlight is definitely The Moon Moth, a story that distills the essence of everything that made him great -- the graceful, slightly ironic prose, the peculiar (not to say eccentric) human societies, and the story that could not happen without that society's eccentricities.
I was going to list other good stories in the collection, but heck, they're all good: The New Prime, The Men Return, Ullward's Retreat, Dodkin's Job (another masterpiece), Green Magic, Alfred's Ark, Sulwen's Planet and Rumfuddle.
Most of these stories were actually new to me -- I'd read most of Vance's SF/F novels, but not as much of his short fiction. They were a treat; I'm just sorry I hadn't gotten around to them sooner.
I was going to list other good stories in the collection, but heck, they're all good: The New Prime, The Men Return, Ullward's Retreat, Dodkin's Job (another masterpiece), Green Magic, Alfred's Ark, Sulwen's Planet and Rumfuddle.
Most of these stories were actually new to me -- I'd read most of Vance's SF/F novels, but not as much of his short fiction. They were a treat; I'm just sorry I hadn't gotten around to them sooner.
May 22, 2020
This paperback edition contains nine short stories. Four from the 1950s, four from the 1960s and one from 1973. Other reviewers mention two stories featuring Magnus Ridolph but they are not featured in this paperback edition presumably because they have been collected in the companion paperback collection "Magnus Ridolph". Five of these nine stories have also appeared in other collections. Two in "Fantasms & Magics", two in "The dark side of the moon" and one in "The narrow land".
A mixed bag but well worth a read if you like the author's work.
A mixed bag but well worth a read if you like the author's work.
August 31, 2016
Vance has a knack for taking the germ of a "what if" idea and building a story around it. He expresses what he imagines so well that at times I have to just sit back and reflect on how well he's communicated his vision. Many of his stories are invitations to explore ideas in psychology, sociology, and philosophy. I could easily see them serving as the core for discussion in a classroom.
April 18, 2017
This book should not be confused with the 1976 British book with the same title. The contents are not the same and only two of the stories even overlap. (The Moon Moth and The Men Return.) The British issue has only five short works. This one has eleven, including five short stories, five novelettes and one novella. I have read every science fiction work Vance has ever published and find this to be the finest book collection of short works by Vance ever published. It deserves a rating of 5. A brief description of each story is listed below alphabetically:
Alfred's Ark
"Alfred's Ark" is an eight page short story first published in New Worlds Science Fiction in 1965. It is a short, simple story that cuts to the quick of human behavior. Alfred believes there will be a Biblical flood in less than a year so he sells his business for very little profit in order to build an ark. He even runs an ad in the local paper asking for donations and volunteers but receives mostly ridicule in response. Alfred will only take a few domestic animals along because he does not have the resources to include wild ones. He hopes that some woman will offer to join him but says if necessary he will hire a woman to board the ark with him on the day of the predicted storm. He feels she will eventually grow to like him if they end up being the last two surviving people on Earth. How Alfred is treated by people in his local community and human behavior in general is the underlying theme. In the Introduction Vance informs us that "Alfred's Ark" is one of his favorite stories and that it "tells you all you need to know in regard to the human condition." I really liked it and rated it 4.
Coup de Grace
"Coup de Grace" is a twenty one page short story published initially in 1958 in the magazine Super Science Fiction. Magnus Ridolph is relaxing on a private space station called the Hub which is visited by many beings from other planets. Magnus is approached by an anthropologist who recognizes him and tries to hire him because he is fearful someone is trying to kill him. Magnus, however, is on vacation and declines the job offer. The next morning the anthropologist is found dead and Magnus is asked by the owner of the space station if he will help investigate because no law enforcement authorities have jurisdiction over a private space station and he wants to see that the murder is brought to justice. Magnus feels he cannot decline the offer so begins to investigate. Because there are so many alien beings with different customs and cultures, Magnus decides to conduct what he refers to as a "cultural analysis" to narrow down who might be the most likely suspects. One of the aliens, for example, is from a warrior culture where it would be extremely shameful to kill another except in face to face combat. Another is from a culture where human sacrifice is done for religious purposes, but the anthropologist was not killed in the ritualistic way that this culture requires. It is a murder mystery with various colorful aliens as suspects, all cleverly investigated by Magnus. My rating: 3 "Liked it."
Dodkin's Job
"Dodkin's Job" is a 40 page novelette that was first published in 1959 in the magazine Amazing Science Fiction. This is not really science fiction, fantasy or mystery but more of an ironic dystopian story with hints of Kafka and even Monty Python. I loved this story and thought it was hilarious. If you have ever worked in a big bureaucracy or have had to deal with one, you will probably identify with the main character who lives in a "big brother" like society where, "The population ordered their lives by schedule, classification and precedent." Luke Grogatch is too rational for such a society so he keeps losing jobs and has now been demoted to the rating of "Flunky/ClassD/Unskilled." If he gets demoted again he could end up being sent to the "Disorganized House" where he would be nonclassified and isolated with "criminals, idiots, children and proved Nonconformists." He decides to "submit slavishly to witless regulations" and begins his new job shoveling debris in a sewage system by hand using a shovel. All of his suggestions for improving the job are rejected, and the work seems meaningless. One day a new directive is announced ordering all employees to turn in their tools at a central warehouse at the end of the day and pick them up again each morning. This applies to Luke's shovel. He asks if he can purchase his own shovel and not have to turn it in each day but is told that the directive says "all tools" so that even a self purchased tool would not be exempt. Luke complies at first. But after the lengthy trip to turn in the shovel, he has to wait in a long line with the whole process taking an hour and a half. This means he will have to spend three hours each day dropping off and picking up his shovel. Luke decides to object by appealing to those who issued the directive but each supervisor claims he was simply following orders from above. Luke continues appealing to those higher up in administration, assuming that he will finally encounter the person who is responsible for the directive. His encounters with ineffective, irresponsible, uncaring bureaucratic officials develop into one of the funniest stories I've read in a long time. Dodkin, by the way, is a person Luke meets later who has what Luke considers to be the ideal job. I rated this one a 5.
Green Magic
"Green Magic" is a 12 page short story that was first published in 1963 in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. It is a philosophical fantasy story rather than science fiction. Howard Fair is well trained in white magic and black magic and knows some purple magic. He is intrigued when he finds an old notebook by his great uncle that describes green magic. He meets some sprites who come from a world of green magic but who warn him that it would be dangerous for him to study it. He is told that his grand uncle studied it and ended up regretting having done so. Despite their warnings, Fair's curiosity and desire to learn are greater than any concerns he has and he manages to persuade the sprites to allow him to learn green magic. His learning is described as a fascinating process and it changes him forever. Is it sometimes better to remain ignorant and innocent? Is it worthwhile to try to discover knowledge that might make you unhappy or discontent? These questions and others are explored in this story which I found to be quite interesting. I rated it a 4.
Kokod Warriors
"The Kokod Warriors," a 34 page novelette first published in 1951, is one of the Magnus Ridolph series. The "Women's League Committee for the Preservation of Moral Values" hires Ridolph to investigate and stop ritualistic battles on another planet (Kodod) where tribes of dwarf like creatures have bloody fights with each other while tourists with their tour guide watch for entertainment. The hotel in the region makes huge profits from the tourists who visit the planet just to watch these killings. Ridolph devises a clever scheme in this interesting and easy to read story that is arguably the finest of the Magnus Ridolph stories. I rated it 5.
Men Return
"The Men Return" was first published in 1957 and is a 9 page short story. It is rather like two universes that overlap after 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 rather fascinating and rated it 3: "Liked it."
The Moon Moth
"The Moon Moth," is a marvelous work, a novelette of 39 pages that was first published in Galaxy Magazine in 1961. It takes place on the planet Sirene where adherence to specific local customs and protocol is more important than money or even life itself. Edwer Thissell was recently appointed as the new Consular Representative from Earth after the previous Representative to Sirene was killed because he violated a social norm. Thissell has been taking lessons to learn to play various musical instruments in order to communicate with the locals. All communication on Sirene must be made by playing the appropriate musical instruments and singing in a certain respectful way. Social behavior expected on Sirene is so detailed and complex that it is almost incomprehensible to anyone not born in the culture. Slight violations or mistakes might be interpreted as a grave insult or offense and can lead to bodily harm or even death. All of the Sirene residents also wear special masks as must the four men from Earth. Only certain types of masks can be worn depending on the status and musical skills of the wearer. The mask Thissell wears is of the "moon moth." It is a mask of low prestige but a safe one to wear. Thissell is sent a special message by his superiors assigning him the duty of capturing an assassin from Earth who will soon arrive to Sirene. Unfortunately the message is delayed, and the assassin is able to elude capture. Thissell must begin the process of tracking him down in the town where he has to interact with the local people. He knows that violating the strict rules of behavior can lead to severe consequences but he also knows that he will lose his job if he fails. The story is complex, well thought out and skillfully written. It is probably the finest short work Vance ever wrote and is essential reading, a real classic. My rating: 5
The New Prime
"The New Prime" is also known as "Brain of the Galaxy." It was first published in Startling Stories in 1952 and is a 25 page novelette. 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 final scene our main 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 rated it a 2: "Okay"
Rumfuddle
"Rumfuddle" is a novella that was initially published in 1973 in an anthology called Three Trips in Time and Space. It had been commissioned for a collection of three stories on the same theme by three different authors. It is an odd and rather lose story about portals that open to different universes. The portals also allow time travel (backwards but not forward) and one might even encounter multiple selves that exist in alternate universes. Initially the portals were used to solve social, economic and other problems, but some people are now using the portals for entertainment purposes and even mischief. If you can go with the flow of this story and accept the loose ends, it can be entertaining and humorous. Where else would you encounter a football team where the quarterback is Machiavelli and the front line is manned by Achilles, Charlemagne, Hercules, Goliath, Samson, Richard the Lion Hearted and Billy the Kid? This is not a story that will appeal to everyone, but I liked it and gave it a 4.
Sulwen's Planet
"Sulwyn's Planet" is a sixteen page short story that was first released in The Farthest Reaches in 1968. It is a light, humorous story. Two language professors Gench and Kosmin plus twenty four others visit Selwyn's planet to investigate the wreckage remaining from a war fought by two alien species, one resembling wasps and the other sea cows. Although this happened sixty-two thousand years ago, the atmosphere and environment of the planet have kept the spaceships and wreckage in nearly pristine condition. Unfortunately Gench and Kosmin have overlapping duties and areas of expertise, resulting in repeated conflicts. Each tries to undermine the other and take control until their duties are finally divided up so that one is in charge of investigating the crashed ships of the wasps and the other of investigating those of the sea cows. But even this division of duties is not enough to keep the two professors from trying to outdo, embarrass and deprecate the other. You might be able to guess the ending. This is a fun read but minor Vance. I rated it a 3.
Ullward's Retreat
"Ullward's Retreat" was published initially in 1958 in Galaxy Magazine and is a 25 page novelette. Bruham Ullward is a wealthy man who lives in a futuristic society where real estate is incredibly expensive and conditions very crowded. He has the rare luxury of having a real tree and moss on his property. Sometimes he offers the rare gift of a real leaf to visitors. Electronic "illusion-panes" simulate three dimensional electronic scenes of beautiful views by generating mountains, valleys, skies and moons. Ullward wants to expand his property by purchasing small parcels even at their outrageously high prices, but other owners won't sell. He is delighted when he encounters an opportunity to lease half a planet where he will have plenty of room. Ullward builds his new retreat on this planet and moves. The owner lives on the other half of the planet, and there is a strict contract rule forbidding trespass on the other's property. Ironically when visitors arrive at his new home, they compare his beautiful natural views to illusion-panes, claim the natural rocks do not look real, are fearful of the waves on a real beach, and even object to Ullward's new privacy stating, "I love the privacy and solitude--but I thought there'd be more people to be private from." Ullward also begins having privacy issues with the owner even though each of them has half of the planet to himself. Was he better off back on his crowded home planet where nature, scenic views and many other things were synthetic or simulated? It is a fun and interesting story. I rated it a 3.
Alfred's Ark
"Alfred's Ark" is an eight page short story first published in New Worlds Science Fiction in 1965. It is a short, simple story that cuts to the quick of human behavior. Alfred believes there will be a Biblical flood in less than a year so he sells his business for very little profit in order to build an ark. He even runs an ad in the local paper asking for donations and volunteers but receives mostly ridicule in response. Alfred will only take a few domestic animals along because he does not have the resources to include wild ones. He hopes that some woman will offer to join him but says if necessary he will hire a woman to board the ark with him on the day of the predicted storm. He feels she will eventually grow to like him if they end up being the last two surviving people on Earth. How Alfred is treated by people in his local community and human behavior in general is the underlying theme. In the Introduction Vance informs us that "Alfred's Ark" is one of his favorite stories and that it "tells you all you need to know in regard to the human condition." I really liked it and rated it 4.
Coup de Grace
"Coup de Grace" is a twenty one page short story published initially in 1958 in the magazine Super Science Fiction. Magnus Ridolph is relaxing on a private space station called the Hub which is visited by many beings from other planets. Magnus is approached by an anthropologist who recognizes him and tries to hire him because he is fearful someone is trying to kill him. Magnus, however, is on vacation and declines the job offer. The next morning the anthropologist is found dead and Magnus is asked by the owner of the space station if he will help investigate because no law enforcement authorities have jurisdiction over a private space station and he wants to see that the murder is brought to justice. Magnus feels he cannot decline the offer so begins to investigate. Because there are so many alien beings with different customs and cultures, Magnus decides to conduct what he refers to as a "cultural analysis" to narrow down who might be the most likely suspects. One of the aliens, for example, is from a warrior culture where it would be extremely shameful to kill another except in face to face combat. Another is from a culture where human sacrifice is done for religious purposes, but the anthropologist was not killed in the ritualistic way that this culture requires. It is a murder mystery with various colorful aliens as suspects, all cleverly investigated by Magnus. My rating: 3 "Liked it."
Dodkin's Job
"Dodkin's Job" is a 40 page novelette that was first published in 1959 in the magazine Amazing Science Fiction. This is not really science fiction, fantasy or mystery but more of an ironic dystopian story with hints of Kafka and even Monty Python. I loved this story and thought it was hilarious. If you have ever worked in a big bureaucracy or have had to deal with one, you will probably identify with the main character who lives in a "big brother" like society where, "The population ordered their lives by schedule, classification and precedent." Luke Grogatch is too rational for such a society so he keeps losing jobs and has now been demoted to the rating of "Flunky/ClassD/Unskilled." If he gets demoted again he could end up being sent to the "Disorganized House" where he would be nonclassified and isolated with "criminals, idiots, children and proved Nonconformists." He decides to "submit slavishly to witless regulations" and begins his new job shoveling debris in a sewage system by hand using a shovel. All of his suggestions for improving the job are rejected, and the work seems meaningless. One day a new directive is announced ordering all employees to turn in their tools at a central warehouse at the end of the day and pick them up again each morning. This applies to Luke's shovel. He asks if he can purchase his own shovel and not have to turn it in each day but is told that the directive says "all tools" so that even a self purchased tool would not be exempt. Luke complies at first. But after the lengthy trip to turn in the shovel, he has to wait in a long line with the whole process taking an hour and a half. This means he will have to spend three hours each day dropping off and picking up his shovel. Luke decides to object by appealing to those who issued the directive but each supervisor claims he was simply following orders from above. Luke continues appealing to those higher up in administration, assuming that he will finally encounter the person who is responsible for the directive. His encounters with ineffective, irresponsible, uncaring bureaucratic officials develop into one of the funniest stories I've read in a long time. Dodkin, by the way, is a person Luke meets later who has what Luke considers to be the ideal job. I rated this one a 5.
Green Magic
"Green Magic" is a 12 page short story that was first published in 1963 in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. It is a philosophical fantasy story rather than science fiction. Howard Fair is well trained in white magic and black magic and knows some purple magic. He is intrigued when he finds an old notebook by his great uncle that describes green magic. He meets some sprites who come from a world of green magic but who warn him that it would be dangerous for him to study it. He is told that his grand uncle studied it and ended up regretting having done so. Despite their warnings, Fair's curiosity and desire to learn are greater than any concerns he has and he manages to persuade the sprites to allow him to learn green magic. His learning is described as a fascinating process and it changes him forever. Is it sometimes better to remain ignorant and innocent? Is it worthwhile to try to discover knowledge that might make you unhappy or discontent? These questions and others are explored in this story which I found to be quite interesting. I rated it a 4.
Kokod Warriors
"The Kokod Warriors," a 34 page novelette first published in 1951, is one of the Magnus Ridolph series. The "Women's League Committee for the Preservation of Moral Values" hires Ridolph to investigate and stop ritualistic battles on another planet (Kodod) where tribes of dwarf like creatures have bloody fights with each other while tourists with their tour guide watch for entertainment. The hotel in the region makes huge profits from the tourists who visit the planet just to watch these killings. Ridolph devises a clever scheme in this interesting and easy to read story that is arguably the finest of the Magnus Ridolph stories. I rated it 5.
Men Return
"The Men Return" was first published in 1957 and is a 9 page short story. It is rather like two universes that overlap after 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 rather fascinating and rated it 3: "Liked it."
The Moon Moth
"The Moon Moth," is a marvelous work, a novelette of 39 pages that was first published in Galaxy Magazine in 1961. It takes place on the planet Sirene where adherence to specific local customs and protocol is more important than money or even life itself. Edwer Thissell was recently appointed as the new Consular Representative from Earth after the previous Representative to Sirene was killed because he violated a social norm. Thissell has been taking lessons to learn to play various musical instruments in order to communicate with the locals. All communication on Sirene must be made by playing the appropriate musical instruments and singing in a certain respectful way. Social behavior expected on Sirene is so detailed and complex that it is almost incomprehensible to anyone not born in the culture. Slight violations or mistakes might be interpreted as a grave insult or offense and can lead to bodily harm or even death. All of the Sirene residents also wear special masks as must the four men from Earth. Only certain types of masks can be worn depending on the status and musical skills of the wearer. The mask Thissell wears is of the "moon moth." It is a mask of low prestige but a safe one to wear. Thissell is sent a special message by his superiors assigning him the duty of capturing an assassin from Earth who will soon arrive to Sirene. Unfortunately the message is delayed, and the assassin is able to elude capture. Thissell must begin the process of tracking him down in the town where he has to interact with the local people. He knows that violating the strict rules of behavior can lead to severe consequences but he also knows that he will lose his job if he fails. The story is complex, well thought out and skillfully written. It is probably the finest short work Vance ever wrote and is essential reading, a real classic. My rating: 5
The New Prime
"The New Prime" is also known as "Brain of the Galaxy." It was first published in Startling Stories in 1952 and is a 25 page novelette. 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 final scene our main 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 rated it a 2: "Okay"
Rumfuddle
"Rumfuddle" is a novella that was initially published in 1973 in an anthology called Three Trips in Time and Space. It had been commissioned for a collection of three stories on the same theme by three different authors. It is an odd and rather lose story about portals that open to different universes. The portals also allow time travel (backwards but not forward) and one might even encounter multiple selves that exist in alternate universes. Initially the portals were used to solve social, economic and other problems, but some people are now using the portals for entertainment purposes and even mischief. If you can go with the flow of this story and accept the loose ends, it can be entertaining and humorous. Where else would you encounter a football team where the quarterback is Machiavelli and the front line is manned by Achilles, Charlemagne, Hercules, Goliath, Samson, Richard the Lion Hearted and Billy the Kid? This is not a story that will appeal to everyone, but I liked it and gave it a 4.
Sulwen's Planet
"Sulwyn's Planet" is a sixteen page short story that was first released in The Farthest Reaches in 1968. It is a light, humorous story. Two language professors Gench and Kosmin plus twenty four others visit Selwyn's planet to investigate the wreckage remaining from a war fought by two alien species, one resembling wasps and the other sea cows. Although this happened sixty-two thousand years ago, the atmosphere and environment of the planet have kept the spaceships and wreckage in nearly pristine condition. Unfortunately Gench and Kosmin have overlapping duties and areas of expertise, resulting in repeated conflicts. Each tries to undermine the other and take control until their duties are finally divided up so that one is in charge of investigating the crashed ships of the wasps and the other of investigating those of the sea cows. But even this division of duties is not enough to keep the two professors from trying to outdo, embarrass and deprecate the other. You might be able to guess the ending. This is a fun read but minor Vance. I rated it a 3.
Ullward's Retreat
"Ullward's Retreat" was published initially in 1958 in Galaxy Magazine and is a 25 page novelette. Bruham Ullward is a wealthy man who lives in a futuristic society where real estate is incredibly expensive and conditions very crowded. He has the rare luxury of having a real tree and moss on his property. Sometimes he offers the rare gift of a real leaf to visitors. Electronic "illusion-panes" simulate three dimensional electronic scenes of beautiful views by generating mountains, valleys, skies and moons. Ullward wants to expand his property by purchasing small parcels even at their outrageously high prices, but other owners won't sell. He is delighted when he encounters an opportunity to lease half a planet where he will have plenty of room. Ullward builds his new retreat on this planet and moves. The owner lives on the other half of the planet, and there is a strict contract rule forbidding trespass on the other's property. Ironically when visitors arrive at his new home, they compare his beautiful natural views to illusion-panes, claim the natural rocks do not look real, are fearful of the waves on a real beach, and even object to Ullward's new privacy stating, "I love the privacy and solitude--but I thought there'd be more people to be private from." Ullward also begins having privacy issues with the owner even though each of them has half of the planet to himself. Was he better off back on his crowded home planet where nature, scenic views and many other things were synthetic or simulated? It is a fun and interesting story. I rated it a 3.
April 18, 2017
This Kindle edition has the same contents as the 2002 leather bound book The Moon Moth and Other Stories (Vance Integral Edition vol. 17). They have the same eleven stories. Five are short stories, five are Novelettes and one is a novella. This should not be confused with the 1976 British book with the same title. The contents are not the same and only two of the stories even overlap. The British issue has only five short works. This is the finest collection of Vance short works and deserves a rating of 5. A brief description of each story is listed below alphabetically:
Alfred's Ark
"Alfred's Ark" is an eight page short story first published in New Worlds Science Fiction in 1965. It is a short, simple story that cuts to the quick of human behavior. Alfred believes there will be a Biblical flood in less than a year so he sells his business for very little profit in order to build an ark. He even runs an ad in the local paper asking for donations and volunteers but receives mostly ridicule in response. Alfred will only take a few domestic animals along because he does not have the resources to include wild ones. He hopes that some woman will offer to join him but says if necessary he will hire a woman to board the ark with him on the day of the predicted storm. He feels she will eventually grow to like him if they end up being the last two surviving people on Earth. How Alfred is treated by people in his local community and human behavior in general is the underlying theme. In the Introduction Vance informs us that "Alfred's Ark" is one of his favorite stories and that it "tells you all you need to know in regard to the human condition." I really liked it and rated it 4.
Coup de Grace
"Coup de Grace" is a twenty one page short story published initially in 1958 in the magazine Super Science Fiction. Magnus Ridolph is relaxing on a private space station called the Hub which is visited by many beings from other planets. Magnus is approached by an anthropologist who recognizes him and tries to hire him because he is fearful someone is trying to kill him. Magnus, however, is on vacation and declines the job offer. The next morning the anthropologist is found dead and Magnus is asked by the owner of the space station if he will help investigate because no law enforcement authorities have jurisdiction over a private space station and he wants to see that the murder is brought to justice. Magnus feels he cannot decline the offer so begins to investigate. Because there are so many alien beings with different customs and cultures, Magnus decides to conduct what he refers to as a "cultural analysis" to narrow down who might be the most likely suspects. One of the aliens, for example, is from a warrior culture where it would be extremely shameful to kill another except in face to face combat. Another is from a culture where human sacrifice is done for religious purposes, but the anthropologist was not killed in the ritualistic way that this culture requires. It is a murder mystery with various colorful aliens as suspects, all cleverly investigated by Magnus. My rating: 3 "Liked it."
Dodkin's Job
"Dodkin's Job" is a 40 page novelette that was first published in 1959 in the magazine Amazing Science Fiction. This is not really science fiction, fantasy or mystery but more of an ironic dystopian story with hints of Kafka and even Monty Python. I loved this story and thought it was hilarious. If you have ever worked in a big bureaucracy or have had to deal with one, you will probably identify with the main character who lives in a "big brother" like society where, "The population ordered their lives by schedule, classification and precedent." Luke Grogatch is too rational for such a society so he keeps losing jobs and has now been demoted to the rating of "Flunky/ClassD/Unskilled." If he gets demoted again he could end up being sent to the "Disorganized House" where he would be nonclassified and isolated with "criminals, idiots, children and proved Nonconformists." He decides to "submit slavishly to witless regulations" and begins his new job shoveling debris in a sewage system by hand using a shovel. All of his suggestions for improving the job are rejected, and the work seems meaningless. One day a new directive is announced ordering all employees to turn in their tools at a central warehouse at the end of the day and pick them up again each morning. This applies to Luke's shovel. He asks if he can purchase his own shovel and not have to turn it in each day but is told that the directive says "all tools" so that even a self purchased tool would not be exempt. Luke complies at first. But after the lengthy trip to turn in the shovel, he has to wait in a long line with the whole process taking an hour and a half. This means he will have to spend three hours each day dropping off and picking up his shovel. Luke decides to object by appealing to those who issued the directive but each supervisor claims he was simply following orders from above. Luke continues appealing to those higher up in administration, assuming that he will finally encounter the person who is responsible for the directive. His encounters with ineffective, irresponsible, uncaring bureaucratic officials develop into one of the funniest stories I've read in a long time. Dodkin, by the way, is a person Luke meets later who has what Luke considers to be the ideal job. I rated this one a 5.
Green Magic
"Green Magic" is a 12 page short story that was first published in 1963 in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. It is a philosophical fantasy story rather than science fiction. Howard Fair is well trained in white magic and black magic and knows some purple magic. He is intrigued when he finds an old notebook by his great uncle that describes green magic. He meets some sprites who come from a world of green magic but who warn him that it would be dangerous for him to study it. He is told that his grand uncle studied it and ended up regretting having done so. Despite their warnings, Fair's curiosity and desire to learn are greater than any concerns he has and he manages to persuade the sprites to allow him to learn green magic. His learning is described as a fascinating process and it changes him forever. Is it sometimes better to remain ignorant and innocent? Is it worthwhile to try to discover knowledge that might make you unhappy or discontent? These questions and others are explored in this story which I found to be quite interesting. I rated it a 4.
Kokod Warriors
"The Kokod Warriors," a 34 page novelette first published in 1951, is one of the Magnus Ridolph series. The "Women's League Committee for the Preservation of Moral Values" hires Ridolph to investigate and stop ritualistic battles on another planet (Kodod) where tribes of dwarf like creatures have bloody fights with each other while tourists with their tour guide watch for entertainment. The hotel in the region makes huge profits from the tourists who visit the planet just to watch these killings. Ridolph devises a clever scheme in this interesting and easy to read story that is arguably the finest of the Magnus Ridolph stories. I rated it 5.
Men Return
"The Men Return" was first published in 1957 and is a 9 page short story. It is rather like two universes that overlap after 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 rather fascinating and rated it 3: "Liked it."
The Moon Moth
"The Moon Moth," is a marvelous work, a novelette of 39 pages that was first published in Galaxy Magazine in 1961. It takes place on the planet Sirene where adherence to specific local customs and protocol is more important than money or even life itself. Edwer Thissell was recently appointed as the new Consular Representative from Earth after the previous Representative to Sirene was killed because he violated a social norm. Thissell has been taking lessons to learn to play various musical instruments in order to communicate with the locals. All communication on Sirene must be made by playing the appropriate musical instruments and singing in a certain respectful way. Social behavior expected on Sirene is so detailed and complex that it is almost incomprehensible to anyone not born in the culture. Slight violations or mistakes might be interpreted as a grave insult or offense and can lead to bodily harm or even death. All of the Sirene residents also wear special masks as must the four men from Earth. Only certain types of masks can be worn depending on the status and musical skills of the wearer. The mask Thissell wears is of the "moon moth." It is a mask of low prestige but a safe one to wear. Thissell is sent a special message by his superiors assigning him the duty of capturing an assassin from Earth who will soon arrive to Sirene. Unfortunately the message is delayed, and the assassin is able to elude capture. Thissell must begin the process of tracking him down in the town where he has to interact with the local people. He knows that violating the strict rules of behavior can lead to severe consequences but he also knows that he will lose his job if he fails. The story is complex, well thought out and skillfully written. It is probably the finest short work Vance ever wrote and is essential reading, a real classic. My rating: 5
The New Prime
"The New Prime" is also known as "Brain of the Galaxy." It was first published in Startling Stories in 1952 and is a 25 page novelette. 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 final scene our main 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 rated it a 2: "Okay"
Rumfuddle
"Rumfuddle" is a novella that was initially published in 1973 in an anthology called Three Trips in Time and Space. It had been commissioned for a collection of three stories on the same theme by three different authors. It is an odd and rather lose story about portals that open to different universes. The portals also allow time travel (backwards but not forward) and one might even encounter multiple selves that exist in alternate universes. Initially the portals were used to solve social, economic and other problems, but some people are now using the portals for entertainment purposes and even mischief. If you can go with the flow of this story and accept the loose ends, it can be entertaining and humorous. Where else would you encounter a football team where the quarterback is Machiavelli and the front line is manned by Achilles, Charlemagne, Hercules, Goliath, Samson, Richard the Lion Hearted and Billy the Kid? This is not a story that will appeal to everyone, but I liked it and gave it a 4.
Sulwen's Planet
"Sulwen's Planet" is a sixteen page short story that was first released in The Farthest Reaches in 1968. It is a light, humorous story. Two language professors Gench and Kosmin plus twenty four others visit Selwyn's planet to investigate the wreckage remaining from a war fought by two alien species, one resembling wasps and the other sea cows. Although this happened sixty-two thousand years ago, the atmosphere and environment of the planet have kept the spaceships and wreckage in nearly pristine condition. Unfortunately Gench and Kosmin have overlapping duties and areas of expertise, resulting in repeated conflicts. Each tries to undermine the other and take control until their duties are finally divided up so that one is in charge of investigating the crashed ships of the wasps and the other of investigating those of the sea cows. But even this division of duties is not enough to keep the two professors from trying to outdo, embarrass and deprecate the other. You might be able to guess the ending. This is a fun read but minor Vance. I rated it a 3.
Ullward's Retreat
"Ullward's Retreat" was published initially in 1958 in Galaxy Magazine and is a 25 page novelette. Bruham Ullward is a wealthy man who lives in a futuristic society where real estate is incredibly expensive and conditions very crowded. He has the rare luxury of having a real tree and moss on his property. Sometimes he offers the rare gift of a real leaf to visitors. Electronic "illusion-panes" simulate three dimensional electronic scenes of beautiful views by generating mountains, valleys, skies and moons. Ullward wants to expand his property by purchasing small parcels even at their outrageously high prices, but other owners won't sell. He is delighted when he encounters an opportunity to lease half a planet where he will have plenty of room. Ullward builds his new retreat on this planet and moves. The owner lives on the other half of the planet, and there is a strict contract rule forbidding trespass on the other's property. Ironically when visitors arrive at his new home, they compare his beautiful natural views to illusion-panes, claim the natural rocks do not look real, are fearful of the waves on a real beach, and even object to Ullward's new privacy stating, "I love the privacy and solitude--but I thought there'd be more people to be private from." Ullward also begins having privacy issues with the owner even though each of them has half of the planet to himself. Was he better off back on his crowded home planet where nature, scenic views and many other things were synthetic or simulated? It is a fun and interesting story. I rated it a 3.
Alfred's Ark
"Alfred's Ark" is an eight page short story first published in New Worlds Science Fiction in 1965. It is a short, simple story that cuts to the quick of human behavior. Alfred believes there will be a Biblical flood in less than a year so he sells his business for very little profit in order to build an ark. He even runs an ad in the local paper asking for donations and volunteers but receives mostly ridicule in response. Alfred will only take a few domestic animals along because he does not have the resources to include wild ones. He hopes that some woman will offer to join him but says if necessary he will hire a woman to board the ark with him on the day of the predicted storm. He feels she will eventually grow to like him if they end up being the last two surviving people on Earth. How Alfred is treated by people in his local community and human behavior in general is the underlying theme. In the Introduction Vance informs us that "Alfred's Ark" is one of his favorite stories and that it "tells you all you need to know in regard to the human condition." I really liked it and rated it 4.
Coup de Grace
"Coup de Grace" is a twenty one page short story published initially in 1958 in the magazine Super Science Fiction. Magnus Ridolph is relaxing on a private space station called the Hub which is visited by many beings from other planets. Magnus is approached by an anthropologist who recognizes him and tries to hire him because he is fearful someone is trying to kill him. Magnus, however, is on vacation and declines the job offer. The next morning the anthropologist is found dead and Magnus is asked by the owner of the space station if he will help investigate because no law enforcement authorities have jurisdiction over a private space station and he wants to see that the murder is brought to justice. Magnus feels he cannot decline the offer so begins to investigate. Because there are so many alien beings with different customs and cultures, Magnus decides to conduct what he refers to as a "cultural analysis" to narrow down who might be the most likely suspects. One of the aliens, for example, is from a warrior culture where it would be extremely shameful to kill another except in face to face combat. Another is from a culture where human sacrifice is done for religious purposes, but the anthropologist was not killed in the ritualistic way that this culture requires. It is a murder mystery with various colorful aliens as suspects, all cleverly investigated by Magnus. My rating: 3 "Liked it."
Dodkin's Job
"Dodkin's Job" is a 40 page novelette that was first published in 1959 in the magazine Amazing Science Fiction. This is not really science fiction, fantasy or mystery but more of an ironic dystopian story with hints of Kafka and even Monty Python. I loved this story and thought it was hilarious. If you have ever worked in a big bureaucracy or have had to deal with one, you will probably identify with the main character who lives in a "big brother" like society where, "The population ordered their lives by schedule, classification and precedent." Luke Grogatch is too rational for such a society so he keeps losing jobs and has now been demoted to the rating of "Flunky/ClassD/Unskilled." If he gets demoted again he could end up being sent to the "Disorganized House" where he would be nonclassified and isolated with "criminals, idiots, children and proved Nonconformists." He decides to "submit slavishly to witless regulations" and begins his new job shoveling debris in a sewage system by hand using a shovel. All of his suggestions for improving the job are rejected, and the work seems meaningless. One day a new directive is announced ordering all employees to turn in their tools at a central warehouse at the end of the day and pick them up again each morning. This applies to Luke's shovel. He asks if he can purchase his own shovel and not have to turn it in each day but is told that the directive says "all tools" so that even a self purchased tool would not be exempt. Luke complies at first. But after the lengthy trip to turn in the shovel, he has to wait in a long line with the whole process taking an hour and a half. This means he will have to spend three hours each day dropping off and picking up his shovel. Luke decides to object by appealing to those who issued the directive but each supervisor claims he was simply following orders from above. Luke continues appealing to those higher up in administration, assuming that he will finally encounter the person who is responsible for the directive. His encounters with ineffective, irresponsible, uncaring bureaucratic officials develop into one of the funniest stories I've read in a long time. Dodkin, by the way, is a person Luke meets later who has what Luke considers to be the ideal job. I rated this one a 5.
Green Magic
"Green Magic" is a 12 page short story that was first published in 1963 in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. It is a philosophical fantasy story rather than science fiction. Howard Fair is well trained in white magic and black magic and knows some purple magic. He is intrigued when he finds an old notebook by his great uncle that describes green magic. He meets some sprites who come from a world of green magic but who warn him that it would be dangerous for him to study it. He is told that his grand uncle studied it and ended up regretting having done so. Despite their warnings, Fair's curiosity and desire to learn are greater than any concerns he has and he manages to persuade the sprites to allow him to learn green magic. His learning is described as a fascinating process and it changes him forever. Is it sometimes better to remain ignorant and innocent? Is it worthwhile to try to discover knowledge that might make you unhappy or discontent? These questions and others are explored in this story which I found to be quite interesting. I rated it a 4.
Kokod Warriors
"The Kokod Warriors," a 34 page novelette first published in 1951, is one of the Magnus Ridolph series. The "Women's League Committee for the Preservation of Moral Values" hires Ridolph to investigate and stop ritualistic battles on another planet (Kodod) where tribes of dwarf like creatures have bloody fights with each other while tourists with their tour guide watch for entertainment. The hotel in the region makes huge profits from the tourists who visit the planet just to watch these killings. Ridolph devises a clever scheme in this interesting and easy to read story that is arguably the finest of the Magnus Ridolph stories. I rated it 5.
Men Return
"The Men Return" was first published in 1957 and is a 9 page short story. It is rather like two universes that overlap after 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 rather fascinating and rated it 3: "Liked it."
The Moon Moth
"The Moon Moth," is a marvelous work, a novelette of 39 pages that was first published in Galaxy Magazine in 1961. It takes place on the planet Sirene where adherence to specific local customs and protocol is more important than money or even life itself. Edwer Thissell was recently appointed as the new Consular Representative from Earth after the previous Representative to Sirene was killed because he violated a social norm. Thissell has been taking lessons to learn to play various musical instruments in order to communicate with the locals. All communication on Sirene must be made by playing the appropriate musical instruments and singing in a certain respectful way. Social behavior expected on Sirene is so detailed and complex that it is almost incomprehensible to anyone not born in the culture. Slight violations or mistakes might be interpreted as a grave insult or offense and can lead to bodily harm or even death. All of the Sirene residents also wear special masks as must the four men from Earth. Only certain types of masks can be worn depending on the status and musical skills of the wearer. The mask Thissell wears is of the "moon moth." It is a mask of low prestige but a safe one to wear. Thissell is sent a special message by his superiors assigning him the duty of capturing an assassin from Earth who will soon arrive to Sirene. Unfortunately the message is delayed, and the assassin is able to elude capture. Thissell must begin the process of tracking him down in the town where he has to interact with the local people. He knows that violating the strict rules of behavior can lead to severe consequences but he also knows that he will lose his job if he fails. The story is complex, well thought out and skillfully written. It is probably the finest short work Vance ever wrote and is essential reading, a real classic. My rating: 5
The New Prime
"The New Prime" is also known as "Brain of the Galaxy." It was first published in Startling Stories in 1952 and is a 25 page novelette. 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 final scene our main 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 rated it a 2: "Okay"
Rumfuddle
"Rumfuddle" is a novella that was initially published in 1973 in an anthology called Three Trips in Time and Space. It had been commissioned for a collection of three stories on the same theme by three different authors. It is an odd and rather lose story about portals that open to different universes. The portals also allow time travel (backwards but not forward) and one might even encounter multiple selves that exist in alternate universes. Initially the portals were used to solve social, economic and other problems, but some people are now using the portals for entertainment purposes and even mischief. If you can go with the flow of this story and accept the loose ends, it can be entertaining and humorous. Where else would you encounter a football team where the quarterback is Machiavelli and the front line is manned by Achilles, Charlemagne, Hercules, Goliath, Samson, Richard the Lion Hearted and Billy the Kid? This is not a story that will appeal to everyone, but I liked it and gave it a 4.
Sulwen's Planet
"Sulwen's Planet" is a sixteen page short story that was first released in The Farthest Reaches in 1968. It is a light, humorous story. Two language professors Gench and Kosmin plus twenty four others visit Selwyn's planet to investigate the wreckage remaining from a war fought by two alien species, one resembling wasps and the other sea cows. Although this happened sixty-two thousand years ago, the atmosphere and environment of the planet have kept the spaceships and wreckage in nearly pristine condition. Unfortunately Gench and Kosmin have overlapping duties and areas of expertise, resulting in repeated conflicts. Each tries to undermine the other and take control until their duties are finally divided up so that one is in charge of investigating the crashed ships of the wasps and the other of investigating those of the sea cows. But even this division of duties is not enough to keep the two professors from trying to outdo, embarrass and deprecate the other. You might be able to guess the ending. This is a fun read but minor Vance. I rated it a 3.
Ullward's Retreat
"Ullward's Retreat" was published initially in 1958 in Galaxy Magazine and is a 25 page novelette. Bruham Ullward is a wealthy man who lives in a futuristic society where real estate is incredibly expensive and conditions very crowded. He has the rare luxury of having a real tree and moss on his property. Sometimes he offers the rare gift of a real leaf to visitors. Electronic "illusion-panes" simulate three dimensional electronic scenes of beautiful views by generating mountains, valleys, skies and moons. Ullward wants to expand his property by purchasing small parcels even at their outrageously high prices, but other owners won't sell. He is delighted when he encounters an opportunity to lease half a planet where he will have plenty of room. Ullward builds his new retreat on this planet and moves. The owner lives on the other half of the planet, and there is a strict contract rule forbidding trespass on the other's property. Ironically when visitors arrive at his new home, they compare his beautiful natural views to illusion-panes, claim the natural rocks do not look real, are fearful of the waves on a real beach, and even object to Ullward's new privacy stating, "I love the privacy and solitude--but I thought there'd be more people to be private from." Ullward also begins having privacy issues with the owner even though each of them has half of the planet to himself. Was he better off back on his crowded home planet where nature, scenic views and many other things were synthetic or simulated? It is a fun and interesting story. I rated it a 3.
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