Book Review: The Dark Side of the Moon-Jack Vance

Book Review: The Dark Side of the Moon-Jack Vance

Vancelot: Jack Vance in Review, TJ Jones

New English Library, mass market paperback, 365 pages

Release Date: 1986

Cover art: Ned Dameron

Contents:

·       Introduction-Jack Vance, 3 pages

·       Sulwen’s Planet, 16 pages, short story

·       Dover Spargill’s Ghastly Floater, 17 pages, short story

·       Phalid’s Fate, 35 pages, novelette

·       DIP, 20 pages, short story

·       The Phantom Milkman, 12 pages, short story

·       Alfred’s Ark, 8 pages, short story

·       A Practical Man’s Guide, 9 pages, short story

·       First Star I See Tonight, 17 pages, short story

·       The Temple of Han, 15 pages, short story

·       The House of Lords, 15 pages, short story

·       Planet of the Black Dust, 17 pages, short story

·       Ultimate Quest, 19 pages, short story

·       Parapsyche, 116 pages, novella

·       The Enchanted Princess, 25 pages, novelette

This is a large collection of fourteen shorter works by Jack Vance. It includes 11 short stories, 2 novelettes and 1 novella.  This collection has better font size and clarity than most mass market paperbacks, making it much easier on the eyes.  Although the collection is out of print, used copies can easily be located. All of these stories are now available from Spatterlight Press in trade paperback editions. In addition to being in larger font, the Spatterlight releases have the advantage of being the same corrected releases that were issued under the limited and costly Vance Integral Editions (VIE). Below is a brief review of each story: 

Sulwen's Planet-Jack Vance short story

Sulwen’s Planet is a 16 page short story that was first released in the magazine The Farthest Reaches in August, 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.  I’ve read this several times and it is fairly entertaining but minor Vance. I rated it a 3 “Liked it.”

Dover Spargill’s Ghastly Floater-Jack Vance short story

Dover Spargill's Ghastly Floater is a 17 page short story that was published initially in Marvel Science Fiction in November, 1951. Twenty one year old Dover Spargill recently inherited about a third of the Earth's moon plus other assets.  His attorney suggests he not make any purchases or sales without consulting first with him.  But Dover is young and impulsive and suddenly buys up the rest of the moon without telling anybody. He had not seen the news announcement that Earth scientists had found a means of tramsmutating minerals.  Because of this new discovery Spargill’s newly purchased moon, valuable only for its mineral deposits, is suddenly worthless, and Dover has spent his entire fortune acquiring it.  But Dover does not give up.  He might be young and impulsive but others might have underestimated him and his innovative ideas. This is another light, enjoyable, older sci fi story. I’ve read it several times and rated it a 3+ "Liked it +."

Phalid's Fate-Jack Vance novelette

Phalid's Fate is the third work that Vance ever published and is a 35 page novelette that first came out in December, 1946 in the magazine Thrilling Wonder Stories.  Although it is a very early work, it is still a fascinating tales.  Insect like aliens called Phalids have been making surprise attacks against Earth ships. But a counter attack by the Earth military is not possible because they do not know the location of the Phalid's bases or home planet.  The Phalids recently killed the two brothers of Ryan Wratch. Ryan was almost killed too, but his brain was saved and implanted into one of the Phalid bodies. (Scientists are able to transplant human brains into Phalid bodies but not into other human bodies.)  Now that Wratch has the senses, language, body and some of the brain stem of a Phalid, he plans to infiltrate them and find out where their home planet is.  The plan is to send a signal from the Phalid's home planet to reveal its location so that Earth's military will be able to counterattack.  How Wratch adjusts to his new body and brain stem and what he is able to see, feel and do, provide a fascinating exercise in Vancian imagination.  I’ve read it several times and rated it a 4 “Really liked it.”

DP!-Jack Vance short story

DP! is a 20 page short story that sometimes does not have an exclamation point after the title.  It was first released in April, 1953 in the Avon Science Fiction and Fantasy Reader.  Vance wrote this story while vacationing in a village in the Austrian Tyrol and uses this location as the setting for the story. White humanoid troglodytes begin coming up out of the fissures in the earth after a lava flow forces them to the surface. The "Trogs" are initially killed by fearful humans until they are recognized as also being human.  The harmless and helpless Trogs are blind and have no food or shelter. Prolonged exposure to the sun kills them. They are refugees, totally dependent on others.  Eventually millions of Trogs climb up out of the earth and are stranded in a small area in Austria called Trog City. The United Nations becomes involved and some countries offer to take some of the Trogs as immigrants. Some citizens find this threatening and campaign against it. One country wonders if the Trogs could be used for cheap or free labor. It is a classic refugee ethical dilemma done Vancian style.  I’ve read it several times rated it a 4 “Really liked it.”

The Phantom Milkman-Jack Vance short story

The Phantom Milkman is a 12 page short story that was published initially in Other Worlds Science Stories in 1956.  The main character, Isabel Durbrow, moves alone into a rural cabin where she hopes her estranged husband cannot find her. She places an outgoing letter in her mailbox addressed to the local dairy requesting milk delivery.  But she notices that the letter disappeared from the mailbox before the mailman even arrived.  Isabel does begin to receive milk even though her letter seemed to have been intercepted, but the milk delivery is from a different dairy, one that none of the local people have ever heard of. Her cats do not like this milk but do like milk she buys at the store from a different dairy. So Isabel leaves a note stating that her cats do not like the milk and asking for deliver to be cancelled. She receives a return note from the company, however, refusing to cease delivery but offering to purchase additional items for her. Isabel cannot locate the address of the dairy or even a phone number and is also unable to catch the person as the milk is delivered. Vance informs us in the Introduction that the idea for this story came when he was visiting friends at an old farm house and a quart of milk mysteriously appeared on the doorstep on morning. The story is engaging to read and unpredictable. I’ve read it several times and rated it a 4 “Really liked it.”

Alfred's Ark-Jack Vance short story

Alfred's Ark is an 8 page short story first published in the magazine New Worlds Science Fiction in May, 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’ve read it several times and rate it 4 “Really liked it.”

A Practical Man's Guide-Jack Vance short story

A Practical Man's Guide is a 9 page short story that was initially released on August, 1957 in Space Science Fiction Magazine.  It is a humorous story about a Ralph Banks, editor of Popular Crafts Monthly. In addition to articles, sketches, photographs and working models of various crafts and inventions, he also receives some very odd plans, formulas and suggestions that are filed in a large basked labeled Screwball Alley.  Ralph receives a bizarre set of directions with sensational claims from a man who provides a return address at the Archives of the Smithsonian Institute. He calls the Institute to talk with the man, but is unable to reach him initially. So while waiting for the return call he begins compiling ingredients for the formula that the man has provided.  It is all light hearted and fun. I’ve read it several times and I rated it a 3 “Liked it.”

First Star I See Tonight-Jack Vance short story, AKA: The Absent-Minded Professor (author’s preferred title)

The Absent-Minded Professor is a 17 page short story first published in Malcom's Mystery Magazine in March of 1954 under the pseudonym of John Van See. It is also known as "First Star I See Tonight." Vance mentioned in the Introduction to the collection The Dark Side of the Moon that he was rather fond of this story. It was influenced by some information Vance received regarding the competition between scientists in academia.  The story is written in the first person singular and involves the rivalry between two astronomy professors who compete to gain more access time to the observatory telescope. It is more of a mystery story than science fiction.  The main character, Sisley,  is an assistant professor of astronomy who shares observatory time with elderly, fussy, cantankerous full professor named Dr. Patchen.  Sisley’s frustration has reached a breaking point and he has made elaborate plans to deal with Patchen. I thought it was fairly interesting and entertaining story.  I’ve read it four times and rated it a 3 “Liked it.”

Temple of Han, The-Jack Vance short story, AKA: The God and the Temple Robber (author’s preferred title)

The Temple of Han is a short story, 15 pages long, written in 1946 and first printed in the magazine Planet Stories in July, 1951 under the title “The God and the Temple Robber.” Briar Kelly, an Earth man, disguises himself as a Han, an alien species that outnumber humans on Earth, and goes to one of their temples where he steals a religious jewel called the Seven-year Eye that he hopes to sell. While fleeing, however, the sky suddenly changes and a new sun appears in place of the old one.  The Han have somehow moved Earth to a different location, and that is merely the first step in the drastic measures they will take to regain the jewel.  In the Introduction Vance explains how this story was originally part of an epic novel that was rejected for publication. This story, originally called "God and the Temple Robber," was one episode that he salvaged from the novel.  It is engaging and worth reading. I’ve read it three times and most recently rated it a 4 “Really liked it.”

The House Lords-Jack Vance short story

The House Lords is a 15 page short story that was published initially in Saturn magazine in October, 1957. In later years, when discussing this story, Vance mentioned that he had little recollection of it.  An “Astrographical Societyz’ ship from Earth arrives on another planet where conditions for life are favorable.  They suddenly see a human child and then encounter some English speaking people who call themselves "Freemen." The Freemen have never heard of Earth and have no explanation of why they speak English.  Suddenly some other humans whom the Freemen call "House Lords" appear from a castle and the Freemen flee.  These House Lords refer to the Freemen as "Wild men" and have advanced weapons and a very superior attitude.  Two of the men from the ship accompany the House Lords to their castle where they try to determine who all of these people are and where they came from. It is a somewhat interesting story that I’ve read several times.  I rated it a 3 “Liked it.”

Planet of the Black Dust-Jack Vance short story

The Planet of Black Dust was the second story Vance ever had published.  It is a 17 page short story first issued in the magazine Startling Stories in July, 1946.  One of the characters, Captain Creed, is both the captain and part owner of a freighter spaceship called Perseus.  The Perseus carries an insured cargo of expensive aromatic oils.  Blaine Holderlin, the second mate, quarter master and main character is alarmed when the Captain discharges his communicator and two mechanics for no apparent reason and does not replace them.  This leaves only four men to operate the ship.  Then Creed issues strange orders during the flight to approach a star more closely.  When the ship begins to be pulled in by star's gravity, a malfunction with the ship occurs and it is unable to escape the gravitational pull.  The captain orders that the crew to abandon ship in the two fliers they have, and Holderlin is ordered to pilot the second flier by himself after the cook commits suicide.  Holderlin suspects some sort of foul play by the captain.  This is a simple, straight forward story that challenges the ingenuity and survival skills of our very capable main character.  I’ve read it several times. My rating was a 3 “Liked it.”

Ultimate Quest-Jack Vance, short story, AKA: “Dead Ahead” (author’s preferred title)

Ultimate Quest is a 19 page short story that was first published in the magazine Super Science Stories in September, 1950 under the title "Ultimate Quest".  In 1986 it was released under the title of "Dead Ahead" in a collection of Vance shorter works titled The Dark Side of the Moon. It has retained that title in subsequent releases and is the title preferred by the author and used in the Vance Integral Edition. A space captain, Chiram, and a financier sponsor are planning for two spaceships to travel the length of the universe by going straight ahead in one direction at many times the speed of light.  The assumption is that the universe is circular and not infinite so that by traveling in just one direction they will eventually arrive home again. The trick is to make sure the flight course is absolutely straight because even a slight deviation in piloting will get them hopelessly lost.  Because of advanced technology their ship can travel at the speed of “six or seven thousand light years a second” so that it will take them “a hundred billion light years in six months.” The old, seasoned pilot is forced to take along the sponsor's young son, Jay, who is, inexperienced, just out of college, but has many new ideas for piloting. Although the son is asked to keep his ideas to himself, he is permitted to bring along a gyro-compass and computer to help verify that the piloting is accurate. When his gyro-compass indicate a navigational error he tells the captain about it, but his findings are dismissed. If Jay’s gyro-compass is correct and they are off course, then all of their lives are at stake. A major conflict between the captain and Jay seems inevitable as Jay tries to argue his case. This is a classic science fiction story with plenty of technical details and scientific explanations. I’ve read this several times and rated it a 3 “Liked it.”

Parapsyche-Jack Vance, novella

Parapsyche was first published in the magazine Amazing Science Fiction Stories in August, 1958.  It is a 116 page novella and one of Vance's few excursions into parapsychology.  Telepathy, clairvoyance, ghosts, ESP and séances with mediums all play a role.  Don Berwick has been interested in spiritualism since he saw ghosts as a child.  Years later he attended college with the goal of becoming a parapsychologist. After he and his wife find oil on the property they inherited, they decide to establish an institute for psychic research.  Berwick's brother in law is a fanatical, bigoted revivalist preacher, named Fighting Joe Bronny, who considers spiritualism and the occult to be the workings of the devil.  As Fighting Joe gains followers, he begins to advocate that his followers join him in his "fight" against "atheism," "communism" and "blood pollution." By "fight" he means physical fight, and he is especially outraged by the sinful activities going on by his brother in law and sister at Berwick's institute. A major conflict seems about to erupt.  In the Introduction Vance mentioned that he wrote "Parapsyche" after reading about psionics.  I did not find the story to be that interesting, rating it a 3 ("Liked it") and a 2 ("Okay").

The Enchanted Princess-Jack Vance novelette, AKA: The Dreamer

The Enchanted Princess is a 25 page (7,800 words) novelette that was written in 1949 and first published in Orbit magazine in December, 1954.  It is also known as "The Dreamer."  James Aiken who creates special effects for TV decides to visit a residential children's clinic because his sister informed him of an interesting film series they were playing for the children there and James wants to view it. When he arrives he finds it odd that a former movie producer is also visiting. After viewing the film Aiken is amazed at the unusual creativity of it and calls it "magnificent."  He is very curious about the studio that produced it and, after investigating, he finds that the same studio is offering a free sneak preview of an upcoming release about “Vasillissa the Enchanted Princess.”  Aiken attends the viewing and again is astonished by the high quality of the film.  But he also discovers that the main actress is a young girl who has been blind for many years and resides at the children's clinic.  In the film, however, this blind girl's eyesight was perfect.  When James inquires about this, he finds that things are much stranger than he thought.  this is an unpredictable story that I’ve read several times and found very interesting and rated it a 4 “Really liked it.”