Book Review: Sail 25 and Other Stories-Jack Vance

Book Review: Sail 25 and Other Stories-Jack Vance

Vancealot: Jack Vance in Review, TJ Jones

Spatterlight Press trade paperback, 398 pages

Release Date: 2017

Cover art: Howard Kistler

Contents:

·       Planet of the Black Dust, 18 pages, short story

·       Dead Ahead, 18 pages, short story

·       The Enchanted Princess, 25 pages, novelette

·       The Potters of Firsk, 19 pages, short story

·       The Visitors, 15 pages, short story

·       The Uninhibited Robot, 40 pages, novelette

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

·       Sabotage on Sulfur Planet, 37 pages, novelette

·       Three-legged Joe, 21 pages, short story

·       Four Hundred Blackbirds, 22 pages, novelette

·       Sjambak, 29 pages, novelette

·       Parapsyche, 108 pages, novella

·       Sail 25, 29 pages, novelette

This is a collection of thirteen short works by Jack Vance, including one novella, six novelettes and six short stories.  It is issued in a high quality trade paperback edition that is based on the Vance Integral Edition (VIE) that is the revised and author approved edition of the writings of Jack Vance.  Many of the original writings of Vance were edited, altered, expanded or cut by editors, especially shorter works that were published first in science fiction and fantasy magazines. 

This collection is recommended to all Vance fans and to science fiction and fantasy readers who enjoy shorter works.  For those who are unfamiliar with Vance I’d recommend starting with the Spatterlight collection The Moon Moth and Other Stories.

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 18 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.”

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

"Dead Ahead" is a 18 page short story that was first published in the magazine Super Science Stories in September, 1950 under the title "Ultimate Quest". Vance’s preferred title is “The Dark Side of the Moon.” In this story 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.”

The Enchanted Princess-Jack Vance novelette, (author's preferred title), AKA: “The Dreamer”

"The Enchanted Princess" is a 25 page 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.”

The Potters of Firsk-Jack Vance short story

"The Potters of Firsk" is a 19 page short story that was published originally in May, 1950 in Astounding Science Fiction magazine.  Vance called the ending “smarmy” in his introduction to its 1982 release in the collection Lost Moons.  I thought it was a very imaginative, creative story that demonstrates how early in his career Vance was able to produce well written, interesting stories.  The main character, Thomm, is asked about a beautiful bowl on his desk and tells the story of how he obtained it on the planet Firsk from fierce, secretive potters who used human bones in their glazes. These potters usually used the bones of the deceased per an ancient agreement with the local people.  But "when the need is great, we do anticipate nature by a year or two...The soul lives forever in the pot it beautifies." One of Thomm's assignments on Firsk was to make sure that local people were not captured alive to be killed later when the bone supply was low. In this fascinating tale a number of cultural anthropological issues arise.  I’ve read this five times so far and found it to be a very good early short story. I rated it a 5.

The Visitors-Jack Vance short story, (author's preferred title), AKA: “Winner Lose All”

"The Visitors" is a 15 page short story that was originally published in December 1951 in Galaxy Science Fiction under the title "Winner Lose All." This is a very imaginative piece that features a very inventive, bizarre alien.  Humans visit a newly discovered planet and encounter an alien called a “unigen” who arrived before they did.  The unigen is “an intelligent organism, though its characteristics included neither form nor structure.  Its components were mobile node s of luminous substance which was neither matter nor yet energy.  There were millions of nodes and each was connected with every other node by tendrils similar to the lines of force in macroid space. The unigen might be compared to a great brain, the nodes corresponding to the gray cells, the lines of force to the nerve tissue.” While the human’s explore the planet and its vegetation, the unigen searches out sources of energy and consumes uranium deposits on the planet.  When they have contact with each other each assumes that the other is part of the natural habitat of the planet.  The unigen, for example, thinks the humans are land-worms “evidently seeking the sea-matter on which they fed.” How the humans and the unigen physically and psychologically perceive each other and the way they react provides a fascinating experience for the reader.  Vance is a master at creating other worlds and fascinating alien beings while addressing psychological, anthropological and sociological factors. This story benefits from multiple readings. I’ve read this four times so far and rated it a 4 “Really liked it.”

Uninhibited Robot-Jack Vance novelette (author’s preferred title), AKA: “The Plagian Siphon” and “Planet Machine”

"Uninhibited Robot" was first published under the title "The Plagian Siphon" in October 1951 in Thrilling Wonder Stories. It has also been known as "Planet Machine" and is a 40 page novelette.  Allixter is employed as a computer repairman and is sent by his boss to the planet Rhetus to fix a malfunction computer that is killing those who approach it. He brings along a "Conceptualizer" that warns him of upcoming dangers and analyses situations.  Even though this is an early Vance work it is a complex story with an unpredictable plot and underlying intrigue.  Vance did revise some of his stories over the years but I purchased the original October 1951 Thrilling Wonder Stories magazine and compared it to the version in this 1986 book and they appear to be identical except for the title change. In addition to Vance fans, this story will probably appeal to science fiction readers in general. I’ve read this several times so far and  rated it 4 “Really 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 +."

Sabotage on Sulfur Planet: Jack Vance novelette

"Sabotage on Sulfur Planet" is a 37 page novelette that was published first in June, 1952 in Startling Stories magazine.  The main character, Robert Smith, is a Star Control agent who is assigned the duty of investigating an unscrupulous spaceship captain named Captain Plum who seems to have located an undiscovered world with life on it.  But the captain is not talking and plans to return to the planet to take advantage of the creatures that inhabit the planet even though the "fuzz-balls" as he calls them are "blind, deaf and dumb."  Somehow the creatures possess jewels that are attached to them.  Smith does not want Star Control to find out about the planet because he wants to return in secret and harvest the jewels to sell them. While investigating Plum, however, Smith ends up being kidnapped by him and impressed as one of the crew.  The criminal investigator has been forced to join the thieves and suspects Plum will kill him after the mission so that no witnesses can report him.  Ethical and anthropological issues about exploration and exploitation of other cultures are dealt with in this charming old fashioned sci fi story.  I’ve read this three times and most recently rated it a 4 “Really liked it.”

Three Legged Joe-Jack Vance short story

"Three Legged Joe" is a 21 page short story that was published initially in January, 1953 in Startling Stories. This is a story that is pure fun and I can imagine Vance chuckling as he wrote it.  Two recent graduates of the Highland Technical Institute, John Milke and Oliver Paskell,  plan to go to the planet Odfars to mine heavy metal. When they attempt to hire a highly experienced assistant to accompany them on their prospect trip, nobody will come and they are told by old timers to hire Three Legged Joe who lives on Odfars and will find them soon after their arrival.  “Get Three-legged Joe to wait on you. he’ll make you a good hand.” After arrival at Odfars, however, they find out that Joe is a giant humanoid like creature who lives by eating acid for chemical energy.  In his search for acid Three Legged Joe destroys their camp and equipment, and John and Oliver begin to fear for their own safety. They now realize why nobody would hire on with them and why no mining claims have ever been filed on the planet.  Three Legged Joe is a creature who is terribly intrusive, immensely powerful and virtually indestructible.  If he is not dealt with, however, their mining operation on the planet will need to be abandoned. It is an early, old fashioned sci fi story, all very light hearted and humorous in a style unique to Vance.  I have read the story now four times and it grew on me so I rated it a 4 “Really liked it”

Four Hundred Blackbirds- Jack Vance novelette

The 22 page novelette "Four Hundred Blackbirds" was written in 1948 and issued first in Future Science Fiction in July, 1953.  The story begins on an unidentified planet that seems similar to Earth where the country of Moltroy, run by the People’s Rights party, is at war with the country called the World Federation. Edward Schmidt is the director of the “Institute” in Moltroy and supervises Abel Ruan, “an extremely brilliant scientist, ingenious, resourceful” who has been working on linking the brains of two men through their spinal cords. This was a failure but he did succeed in joining the brain of a human to a canary’s brain where they were able to communicated by a telepathic like connection. Abel describes how flocks of blackbirds are able to fly together, “suddenly all veering together as if guided by one brain.” “Imagine telepathy as high frequency radiation, imagine the human brain as a transmitter and receiver.”  Abel hopes to connect the brains of select blackbirds to the brains of fighter pilots so when they engage the enemy they are able to communicate and engage as one coordinated fighting unit.  Pilots would wear helmets connected to blackbird brains that would allow them to communicate with the other pilots and rest of the crew.  The idea is that they are able to coordinate like a flock of blackbirds in perfect unison when attacking.  The fighter pilots of Moltroy would overwhelm the World Federation pilots in “a monstrous air battle over the ocean” allowing for Moltroy bombers to enter into an bomb the “Federate” territory and thereby “win the world.”  As Abel points out, however, the Federation has scientists of its own and might have their own secret weapons or counter measure inventions.  Perhaps there is even a telepathic arms race.  This is a very early Jack Vance story, written in 1948, and it definitely shows its age but is still enjoyable. I’ve read Four Hundred Blackbirds multiple times, initially rating it a 3 “Liked it,” but it eventually grew on me like an old friend and I changed my rating to a 4 “Really liked it.”  Vance fans and those who like very early sci fi stories might want to give this one a try.

Sjambak-Jack Vance novelette

Sjambak was originally published in July, 1953 in If Worlds of Science Fiction.  It is a 29 page novelette. Wilbur Murphy is a reporter from a TV series on Earth called "Know Your Universe!"  It has two hundred million viewers, but its ratings have been down and his boss wants a story that is very sensational.  They hear about a planet called Sirgamesk where the lack of an atmosphere requires humans to wear spacesuits when not in the “mountain valleys, with airtight lids over ‘em.”  There are reports of a horseman without a spacesuit who has been riding up to greet arriving spaceships as they are still in flight ten thousand miles above the planet.  This horseman “waves to the pilot, takes off his hat to the passengers, then rides back down.” Murphy is sent to this planet to check the story out and make a film of the horseman and any other interesting events or attractions.  Murphy's interest for something exciting to write about contrasts with the wishes of the sultan who rules the planet.  The sultan wants a very conservative report that reflects positively on their society. "We are quiet Mohammedans and indulge in very little festivity." Murphy's boss, in contrast, is insisting on a show that is full of "Sex! Excitement! Mystery!" The sultan wants his Minister of Propaganda to provide an educational program, "stressing our progressive social attitude, our prosperity and financial prospects."  In contrast Murphy is more interested in bands of roving bandits, prisoners who are publicly displayed naked in cages, a prince who might be planning jihad, ancient ruins, gamelan players, exotic dancers, and anything else that might increase his show's ratings.  He is also interested in a renegade, warrior group of people who live in the wild and are called Sjambaks.  The Sultan and others seem reluctant to talk about them or the rumors of the horseman without a spacesuit. The story Sjambak is well worth reading, especially for Vance fans, but it is not one of Vance's great stories like "The Moon Moth."  I've read it four times so far 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 108 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. This might be one of those stories that Vance wrote for his editor because his one of his editors liked parapsychic topics. I’ve read this story several times and did not find it to be very interesting and rated it a 3 ("Liked it) and a 2 ("Okay").

Sail 25-Jack Vance novelette (author’s preferred title), AKA: Gateway to Strangers and Dust of Far Suns

"Sail 25" is a 29 page novelette that was first published in August, 1962 in the magazine Amazing Stories. It has also been known as "Gateway to Strangers" and "Dust of Far Suns."  Henry Bent is an irritable, unpleasant, overly sensitive, dictatorial character who seems to be "a man of a different species."  He teaches pilots to operate spaceships, in this instance it is one that has a huge sail (thus the title "Sail 25"). Bent tells his cadet crew that he does not expect to be liked and that if they do like him then he has failed because, "I haven't pushed you hard enough." All pilots know Bent and respect his skills, but they also invariably dislike him.  He has trained almost every well-known pilot and is about to train a new crew.  During the training flight when Bent is not drunk or hiding from the others, he is sneaking around the ship, spying on the cadets, keeping track of their behavior by making comments in his notebooks where he records demerits.  These demerits will determine who passes and who gets axed from the program. Bent also says that he is retiring, that this will be his last flight and hints that he wants to die in space.  Is he suicidal?  Has he become an incompetent drunk? Or is this the finest training the cadets will ever receive? Each member of his crew reacts differently to Bent's behavior and the challenges of the training.  It is all done with humor with a memorable character who is as difficult as any boot camp sergeant.  I’ve read this four times and rated it 3+ “Liked it plus”

Note:  Spatterlight Press LLC is a publishing company that was created by the family and friends of Jack Vance.  So far they have published 62 high quality trade paperback editions of Vance’s novels (all except three Ellery Queen mystery novels: Strange She Hasn’t Written, Death of a Solitary Chess Player, and The Man Who Walks Behind.) and collections of his shorter works.  These are all based on the Vance Integral Edition (VIE) which were extensively reviewed and edited to be as faithful as possible to Vance’s original writings.  Many of Vance’s works were altered or heavily edited by book and magazine editors with even the author’s titles changed. Spatterlight now offers to the general public access to Vance’s writings the way he originally intended them to be.  In 2023 they began issuing hardcover editions of the same works they had previously printed in paperback.  They also have e-book editions available at: https://jackvance.com/

Spatterlight Vance books are listed here: 

https://jackvance.com/signatureseries/