Ullward’s Retreat-Jack Vance novelette

Ullward’s Retreat-Jack Vance novelette

Ullward's Retreat was written by Vance in 1957 and published initially in December, 1958 in Galaxy Magazine.  It is a 24/25 page (7,800 words) novelette. Bruham Ullward is a wealthy man who lives in a futuristic society where real estate is incredibly expensive and conditions very crowded.  He has the rare luxury of having a real tree and moss on his property. Sometimes he offers the rare gift of a real leaf to visitors.  Electronic "illusion-panes" simulate three dimensional electronic scenes of beautiful views by generating mountains, valleys, skies and moons.  Ullward wants to expand his property by purchasing small parcels even at their outrageously high prices, but other owners won't sell. He is delighted when he encounters an opportunity to lease half a planet where he will have plenty of room. Ullward builds his new retreat on this planet and moves. The owner lives on the other half of the planet, and there is a strict contract rule forbidding trespass on the other's property. Ironically when visitors arrive at his new home, they compare his beautiful natural views to illusion-panes, claim the natural rocks do not look real, are fearful of the waves on a real beach, and even object to Ullward's new  privacy stating, "I love the privacy and solitude--but I thought there'd be more people to be private from."  Ullward also begins having privacy issues with the owner even though each of them has half  of the planet to himself.  Was he better off back on his crowded home planet where nature, scenic views and many other things were synthetic or simulated?  It is a very enjoyable and interesting story that Vance himself continued to like. I’ve read it four times and so far and rated it a 4.

Included in the Jack Vance collection titled Future Tense (1964)

Included in the Jack Vance collection titled The Best of Jack Vance (1976)

Included in the Jack Vance collection titled Dust of Far Suns (1981)

Included in the Jack Vance collection titled When the Five Moons Rise (1992)

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

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