Cil-Jack Vance excerpt from the novel Cugel the Clever
Cil-Jack Vance excerpt from the novel Cugel the Clever
AKA: Cugel the Clever, chapter II
The Dying Earth, chapter II
Tales of the Dying Earth, Book II, chapter
II
Cil was first published as the second chapter (22/28 pages) in Vance's 1966 novel The Eyes of the Overworld. The novel is also known as Cugel the Clever which is the author’s preferred title. In 1969 Cil was issued as a novelette in the Vance collection Eight Fantasms and Magics.
In the story Cil,
Cugel has one of the lenses in his pouch and begins the long journey on foot to
return to Almery where Iucounu lives. He
would prefer to make a leisurely journey “but Firx, that irascible tangle of
spines and barbs which Iucounu had clasped about Cugel’s liver, permitted no
loitering, and Cugel’s only solace was the prospect of revenge.” After dealing
with a ghost who makes a request of him and bandits who try to steal from him,
Cugel encounters an old man on the seashore who has spent his life sifting sand
to find a lost amulet. His ancestors
lost the amulet and with it their control of the land of Cil. He hopes to recover the amulet and gain back
Cil. The person who owns the amulet and
knows how to use it becomes the ruler of Cil. The rest of the story is a
fascinating one about strange, mischievous talking sea creatures, the land of
Cil, the magical amulet and fighting demons as Cugel continues on his amazing
adventure.
Although Cil has appeared on its own, I recommend that it be read as part of Cugel the Clever/The Eyes of the Overworld. Rated 4.
Included
in the Jack Vance collection titled Eight Fantasms and Magics (1969)
Comments
Post a Comment