Domains of the Koryphon-Jack Vance novel, book review

Domains of the Koryphon-Jack Vance novel (author’s preferred title)

AKA: The Gray Prince

This novel was first published as a two-part serialization titled The Domains of Koryphon in Amazing Science Fiction in 1974 in the August and October issues.  As a novel it was first published in hardback with the new title The Gray Prince by Bobbs-Merrill in February 1975.  I have the 1975 Avon 164 page paperback that is also titled The Gray Prince.  It is currently available as a high quality paperback by Spatterlight Press under the title The Domains of Koryphon which is Vance’s preferred title.

Schaine Madduc returns to Koryphon (in the Gaean Reach) after a five year absence and finds her home planet much changed.  The humanoid Uldras are in rebellion against the settlers who are large land owners called Land Barons or Outkers.  Some Outkers seem to view themselves as superior to the Uldras.  On the other hand the Outkers have brought clean water, healthcare, education and other benefits to everyone.  Some readers might be reminded of ancient Rome, Rhodesia or other countries on Earth.  The so-called Gray Prince is an Uldra leader named Jorjol who was raised by Schaine's.  Schaine and Jorjol had a relationship that was beyond sister and foster brother, however, and Jorjol wants to resurrect the romance and include Schaine in a revolution against her own people. 

Ironically the Uldras, who claim original ownership of the Outker land, were not the first inhabitants of the planet, however, but themselves were invaders from long ago.  Other inhabitants in addition to the Outkers and Uldras are the Wind Runners who practice magic that appears to be real in the novel, the Erjins (who may or may not be intelligent creatures) some of whom are wild and some domesticated, and another mysterious species called morphotes who have fossil remains that seem to predate all other settlers.

Vance fleshes out the different groups and species with his usual flair, includes a number of colorful characters who learn and grow with experience, and presents a love story while bringing up many political, cultural and ethical issues.  The interrelationship and interdependence of different cultural groups is presented along with concerns for the rights of indigenous people or intelligent species.  As usual Vance presents many ideas and much action in just a few pages.  A great deal of adventure, intrigue, mystery and information are packed into this short novel.  It is fast paced and entertaining and benefits from a slower more careful reading because of the complexity of the novel and the density of the information.  This is my second reading of the novel and I liked it slightly better the second time.  As with many Vance writings, repeated readings reveal more of the irony, humor and complexity of the work. I rated it a 4 the first time and a 4+ upon second reading.  It is an interesting novel but for me not quite a 5.