Green Magic-Jack Vance short story

Green Magic-Jack Vance short story

Green Magic is a 12/14 page short story that was probably written in 1956 and was first published in June, 1963 in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction.  It has been included in numerous science fiction anthologies and is in the Jack Vance collections:  The Moon Moth and Other Stories and Wild Thyme, Green Magic.  There was also a 1979 limited pamphlet release of 300 copies by Underwood Miller Limited

This 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’ve read this several times and rate it a 3+ (Liked it plus.)

Included in the Jack Vance collection titled The Narrow Land (1982 DAW)

Included in the Jack Vance collection titled The Narrow Land (1984 Coronet)

Included in the Jack Vance collection titled Wild Thyme, Green Magic (2009)

Included in the Jack Vance collection titled Green Magic: The Fantasy Realms of Jack Vance (2012)

Included in the Jack Vance collection Moon Moth and Other Stories (2012 Spatterlight)

 

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