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Son of the Tree / The Houses of Iszm
Ace #F-265, 1964. First Ace Printing in very good condition. Creases at the spine seams. Small rubs to the outer corners. Creasing at the upper edge of the Son of the Tree side. Mild dust soiling to the wrappers. Covers by Jack Gaughan.
232 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1964
About the author
Jack Vance
807 books1,647 followersAka John Holbrook Vance, Peter Held, Ellery Queen, Alan Wade.
John Holbrook Vance was an American writer widely celebrated for his imaginative contributions to science fiction, fantasy, and mystery literature. Over a career that spanned more than six decades, he became known for richly detailed worlds, inventive language, and stories that combined adventure with sharp social observation. His work influenced generations of speculative fiction writers and helped expand the literary possibilities of the genre. Vance wrote more than sixty books and numerous short stories, many first appearing in science fiction magazines before later being expanded into novels and collections. His fiction was widely translated and developed an international readership.
Vance grew up in California and spent part of his youth on a ranch near the Sacramento River delta, where he developed a love of the outdoors and an appetite for reading. The family experienced financial hardship during the Great Depression, prompting him to take a variety of jobs before completing his studies at the University of California, Berkeley. During these years he worked in several trades and cultivated interests in music, travel, and sailing, experiences that later informed many of the settings and themes in his fiction. Before becoming a full-time writer he held numerous occupations, including shipyard worker, merchant seaman, carpenter, and surveyor.
His earliest published story appeared in the mid 1940s in a science fiction magazine, marking the beginning of a long writing career. Throughout the following decades he produced stories across multiple genres, though he became best known for science fiction and fantasy cycles that combined imaginative settings with elaborate cultures and social systems. Among his most famous works are The Dragon Masters and The Last Castle, both of which received Hugo Awards. The Last Castle also earned the Nebula Award, confirming Vance's reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in speculative fiction. His fantasy trilogy Lyonesse later received the World Fantasy Award, while his memoir This Is Me, Jack Vance! earned another Hugo decades later.
In addition to speculative fiction, Vance wrote several mystery novels, some under pseudonyms including Ellery Queen. These works often blended crime elements with psychological or social themes and sometimes anticipated ideas that later appeared in his science fiction. His storytelling frequently emphasized cultural conflict, moral ambiguity, and intricate social customs rather than large-scale warfare, setting him apart from many contemporaries in the genre.
Vance maintained close friendships with other science fiction writers and participated in literary communities that shaped postwar American speculative fiction. He traveled widely with his family and spent extended periods abroad, experiences that influenced the exotic settings and cosmopolitan tone found in many of his books. Music also played a role in his life and writing, reflecting his long-standing enthusiasm for traditional jazz.
Despite gradually losing his eyesight later in life, Vance continued writing with the aid of specialized software and completed both fiction and autobiography in his later years. Over time his reputation grew steadily, and he received numerous honors, including the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement and recognition as a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Critics and fellow writers often praised his distinctive style, wit, and imagination, and his stories remain widely read within the science fiction and fantasy community.
John Holbrook Vance was an American writer widely celebrated for his imaginative contributions to science fiction, fantasy, and mystery literature. Over a career that spanned more than six decades, he became known for richly detailed worlds, inventive language, and stories that combined adventure with sharp social observation. His work influenced generations of speculative fiction writers and helped expand the literary possibilities of the genre. Vance wrote more than sixty books and numerous short stories, many first appearing in science fiction magazines before later being expanded into novels and collections. His fiction was widely translated and developed an international readership.
Vance grew up in California and spent part of his youth on a ranch near the Sacramento River delta, where he developed a love of the outdoors and an appetite for reading. The family experienced financial hardship during the Great Depression, prompting him to take a variety of jobs before completing his studies at the University of California, Berkeley. During these years he worked in several trades and cultivated interests in music, travel, and sailing, experiences that later informed many of the settings and themes in his fiction. Before becoming a full-time writer he held numerous occupations, including shipyard worker, merchant seaman, carpenter, and surveyor.
His earliest published story appeared in the mid 1940s in a science fiction magazine, marking the beginning of a long writing career. Throughout the following decades he produced stories across multiple genres, though he became best known for science fiction and fantasy cycles that combined imaginative settings with elaborate cultures and social systems. Among his most famous works are The Dragon Masters and The Last Castle, both of which received Hugo Awards. The Last Castle also earned the Nebula Award, confirming Vance's reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in speculative fiction. His fantasy trilogy Lyonesse later received the World Fantasy Award, while his memoir This Is Me, Jack Vance! earned another Hugo decades later.
In addition to speculative fiction, Vance wrote several mystery novels, some under pseudonyms including Ellery Queen. These works often blended crime elements with psychological or social themes and sometimes anticipated ideas that later appeared in his science fiction. His storytelling frequently emphasized cultural conflict, moral ambiguity, and intricate social customs rather than large-scale warfare, setting him apart from many contemporaries in the genre.
Vance maintained close friendships with other science fiction writers and participated in literary communities that shaped postwar American speculative fiction. He traveled widely with his family and spent extended periods abroad, experiences that influenced the exotic settings and cosmopolitan tone found in many of his books. Music also played a role in his life and writing, reflecting his long-standing enthusiasm for traditional jazz.
Despite gradually losing his eyesight later in life, Vance continued writing with the aid of specialized software and completed both fiction and autobiography in his later years. Over time his reputation grew steadily, and he received numerous honors, including the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement and recognition as a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Critics and fellow writers often praised his distinctive style, wit, and imagination, and his stories remain widely read within the science fiction and fantasy community.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 26, 2021
This Ace Double features two novellas by Vance, both originally serialized in 1951; the only loose connections are that they both concern trees of a sort and involve a lot of cloak and dagger espionage.
THOI. 3.5 stars. The planet Iszm hosts a hominoid race that developed civilization not through machinery, but organically if you will. All the things they utilize as 'tech' are grown one way or another. One of their main exports to the galaxy are 'houses', but these are no ordinary houses-- they grow and are alive. They come in 2, 3, 5 and more pod flavors; the pods serve as rooms and come in an amazing array of variations. Even the plumbing, for example, is part of the tree, as is the furniture. The Iszm race carefully guards their monopoly on houses and only exports 'male' trees. For years, people of various races have sought to smuggle 'house seeds' from the planet; as a result, not only is tourism discouraged, but any visitors are heavily monitored, with lengthy searches coming in and out. Our main protagonist, Aile Farr, is a botanist from Earth on sabbatical who decided to pay a visit to the planet Iszm. Vance's lauded world building is on full display here and the planet and it peoples are fascinating. I will not go in to the plot here, but Aile's visit may not be as benign as it first appears!
SOFT. 3 stars. Vance takes us here to the far reaches of human space, but even here planets have been colonized for over 1000 years. The main planet featured here is Kyril, the planet of the druids. The druids run the planet something like a theocracy-- a few million druids govern over 5 billion 'serfs'. This has to be a play on organized religion, especially Catholicism-- the serfs toil day in and day out to ensure their souls will make it to the top reaches of the 'tree of life'; sort of a heaven/hell metaphor, where the most just souls will appear as leaves high on the tree and the less just will be condemned to reside for eternity among the roots. The tree itself is spectacular-- over 5 miles in diameter and hundreds of miles high.
Our main protagonist here is Joe Smith (a strangely common name for Vance, who loved to use odd names in his work). Joe is from Earth and he is on a quest to find another Earthman, and has been so for over two years (the rationale is only given right at the end of the story). Joe basically travels, following the scent of his quest and earning enough on each planet for a trip to the next. He arrives at Kyril hoping to make enough cash to travel to another close star/planet, for that is where the man he seeks has ended up. He quickly learns, however, that there is a economic rivalry between Kyril and a neighboring system Mangtse (populated by the Mang, another hominoid race with yellow blood). Mangtse and Kyril are co-dependent upon one another regarding imports/exports but neither race trusts the other and spies proliferate almost openly. Joe is assumed to be a spy upon his arrival, and Earth has become out here over time to be largely a legend/myth. Despite simply trying to earn enough cash to get to his final destination, Joe becomes wrapped up in intrigue and starts to fall for a druid princess...
Both of these stories feature unique socio-economic societies deftly build with Vance's trademark economy of words. While Vance occasionally drops some social/economic criticism along the way (my favorite is in THOI where Aile complains to the Iszm that if they exported less fancy houses to Earth it could solve the housing crisis there; the Iszm retort that the problem has to do with the distribution of wealth on Earth-- there is enough wealth for every family to have a good house, but it is hoarded by a few. Sound familiar?) these are really adventure stories in space-- space opera with a cloak and dagger edge. For all of that, they still hold up well. 3 stars for the Ace Double!
THOI. 3.5 stars. The planet Iszm hosts a hominoid race that developed civilization not through machinery, but organically if you will. All the things they utilize as 'tech' are grown one way or another. One of their main exports to the galaxy are 'houses', but these are no ordinary houses-- they grow and are alive. They come in 2, 3, 5 and more pod flavors; the pods serve as rooms and come in an amazing array of variations. Even the plumbing, for example, is part of the tree, as is the furniture. The Iszm race carefully guards their monopoly on houses and only exports 'male' trees. For years, people of various races have sought to smuggle 'house seeds' from the planet; as a result, not only is tourism discouraged, but any visitors are heavily monitored, with lengthy searches coming in and out. Our main protagonist, Aile Farr, is a botanist from Earth on sabbatical who decided to pay a visit to the planet Iszm. Vance's lauded world building is on full display here and the planet and it peoples are fascinating. I will not go in to the plot here, but Aile's visit may not be as benign as it first appears!
SOFT. 3 stars. Vance takes us here to the far reaches of human space, but even here planets have been colonized for over 1000 years. The main planet featured here is Kyril, the planet of the druids. The druids run the planet something like a theocracy-- a few million druids govern over 5 billion 'serfs'. This has to be a play on organized religion, especially Catholicism-- the serfs toil day in and day out to ensure their souls will make it to the top reaches of the 'tree of life'; sort of a heaven/hell metaphor, where the most just souls will appear as leaves high on the tree and the less just will be condemned to reside for eternity among the roots. The tree itself is spectacular-- over 5 miles in diameter and hundreds of miles high.
Our main protagonist here is Joe Smith (a strangely common name for Vance, who loved to use odd names in his work). Joe is from Earth and he is on a quest to find another Earthman, and has been so for over two years (the rationale is only given right at the end of the story). Joe basically travels, following the scent of his quest and earning enough on each planet for a trip to the next. He arrives at Kyril hoping to make enough cash to travel to another close star/planet, for that is where the man he seeks has ended up. He quickly learns, however, that there is a economic rivalry between Kyril and a neighboring system Mangtse (populated by the Mang, another hominoid race with yellow blood). Mangtse and Kyril are co-dependent upon one another regarding imports/exports but neither race trusts the other and spies proliferate almost openly. Joe is assumed to be a spy upon his arrival, and Earth has become out here over time to be largely a legend/myth. Despite simply trying to earn enough cash to get to his final destination, Joe becomes wrapped up in intrigue and starts to fall for a druid princess...
Both of these stories feature unique socio-economic societies deftly build with Vance's trademark economy of words. While Vance occasionally drops some social/economic criticism along the way (my favorite is in THOI where Aile complains to the Iszm that if they exported less fancy houses to Earth it could solve the housing crisis there; the Iszm retort that the problem has to do with the distribution of wealth on Earth-- there is enough wealth for every family to have a good house, but it is hoarded by a few. Sound familiar?) these are really adventure stories in space-- space opera with a cloak and dagger edge. For all of that, they still hold up well. 3 stars for the Ace Double!
September 10, 2009
These are both pleasant little confections. Vance packs an ordinary book's worth into each novella, and each have the requisite signatures of slightly flowery language, strange culture, and really out-there settings. Unfortunately the plot suffers: both are variations of Vance's usual take on wandering travelers drawn into a larger plot.
I can't decide which is better. On one hand, The Houses of Iszm has the slightly odder premise--a planet which grows their houses as plant pods, and ships them at a high price to Earth. The idea is completely preposterous, but Vance gives it a sort of dream logic, especially in how it is buttressed by the alien outlook of the Iszmics.
Son of the Tree is more conventional, and uses a number of Vance's tropes: a strange human culture, a wandering traveler new to that culture, a beautiful and unattainable love interest, a sudden twist, and an avuncular benefactor with mysterious motives. The greatest item of interest is the culture of the Druids, where the planet is ruled by a religious elite, and the lives of the Laity (the underclass) have absolutely no value. This has curious ramifications for the Druid outlook and their relations with 'normal' people.
I can't decide which is better. On one hand, The Houses of Iszm has the slightly odder premise--a planet which grows their houses as plant pods, and ships them at a high price to Earth. The idea is completely preposterous, but Vance gives it a sort of dream logic, especially in how it is buttressed by the alien outlook of the Iszmics.
Son of the Tree is more conventional, and uses a number of Vance's tropes: a strange human culture, a wandering traveler new to that culture, a beautiful and unattainable love interest, a sudden twist, and an avuncular benefactor with mysterious motives. The greatest item of interest is the culture of the Druids, where the planet is ruled by a religious elite, and the lives of the Laity (the underclass) have absolutely no value. This has curious ramifications for the Druid outlook and their relations with 'normal' people.
December 25, 2011
SON OF THE TREE-Jack Vance. I loved this story even more than the flip HOUSE OF ISZM. Head in the clouds the arrogant druids of Kyril fed and nutured the 5 mile wide by 12 mile tall tree that was the cornerstone of their religion. They have a full slave society with many layers of economic overgrowth and luxury that is attented to by the lower classes.
Joe Smith is world hopping around chasing after some guy to show him what a slob he is and begins a new phase of money earning on Kyril as a mechanic. He is privy to some sinuous mayhem and ends up bugging out to another planet. If I say more about the plot it might be too much for your wee shoulders to bear so...I'll just say the druids in this book have had their pompous slave set up way too long to support the few on top.. These druids are ruthless in keeping the tree protected from space with suicide bombers and secure constant dilligence. What can anyone do about it? Vance knows.
I wish this story could have gone on much longer as it climaxes as the main tyranny is to be challenged completely with a new excitement tested on another planet. Slueth and adventure, murder and blackmail: Vance flexes his fletched and fungal pottage with a high strung verbal bow.
Now..HOUSES OF ISZM-The Iszic have been growing some wicked pod homes with security, pipes, and furniture included for 200,000 years. The secret and origin of growing these homes are very guarded because this is what keeps the planet in buisness.
A botonist named Farr shows up on Iszm and he is highly suspected of someone who will steal some female seeds to create his own monopoly somewhere. He is followed around by the police and watched at every move with a device put in his shoulder. Witnessing a crime close up he is thought to be suspect to trying to steal some female (prized) house seeds and there the fun gets really rolling. Vance makes most of his characters out of good mud and keeps them in mystery with the reader for most of his books. This who dunnit is great fun so look for it.
Joe Smith is world hopping around chasing after some guy to show him what a slob he is and begins a new phase of money earning on Kyril as a mechanic. He is privy to some sinuous mayhem and ends up bugging out to another planet. If I say more about the plot it might be too much for your wee shoulders to bear so...I'll just say the druids in this book have had their pompous slave set up way too long to support the few on top.. These druids are ruthless in keeping the tree protected from space with suicide bombers and secure constant dilligence. What can anyone do about it? Vance knows.
I wish this story could have gone on much longer as it climaxes as the main tyranny is to be challenged completely with a new excitement tested on another planet. Slueth and adventure, murder and blackmail: Vance flexes his fletched and fungal pottage with a high strung verbal bow.
Now..HOUSES OF ISZM-The Iszic have been growing some wicked pod homes with security, pipes, and furniture included for 200,000 years. The secret and origin of growing these homes are very guarded because this is what keeps the planet in buisness.
A botonist named Farr shows up on Iszm and he is highly suspected of someone who will steal some female seeds to create his own monopoly somewhere. He is followed around by the police and watched at every move with a device put in his shoulder. Witnessing a crime close up he is thought to be suspect to trying to steal some female (prized) house seeds and there the fun gets really rolling. Vance makes most of his characters out of good mud and keeps them in mystery with the reader for most of his books. This who dunnit is great fun so look for it.
April 14, 2010
*The Houses of Iszm*
An early Vance novel that contains in embryo all the special features of his more mature writing: rich imagery, quirky situations, baroque language, cloak and dagger plotting and individualistic ethos. The main character, Aile Farr, travels to the planet Iszm, where the houses grow on trees and are exported for sale in strictly limited quotas. Once on the ground he becomes literally entangled with a scheme to steal a female house and break the Iszic monopoly on this highly profitable business...
*Son of the Tree*
Very early Vance isn't generally his best, and this is very early Vance; but it's good nonetheless. In fact it's even better than the slightly later Vance it is paired with in this old Ace Double (*The Houses of Iszm*)... Joe Smith is wandering the universe on a personal quest; he ends up on the planet Kyril where a gigantic tree dominates the landscape, an object of worship for the local druids. He soon becomes embroiled in power politics. The writing is crisp, light and yet exotic.
An early Vance novel that contains in embryo all the special features of his more mature writing: rich imagery, quirky situations, baroque language, cloak and dagger plotting and individualistic ethos. The main character, Aile Farr, travels to the planet Iszm, where the houses grow on trees and are exported for sale in strictly limited quotas. Once on the ground he becomes literally entangled with a scheme to steal a female house and break the Iszic monopoly on this highly profitable business...
*Son of the Tree*
Very early Vance isn't generally his best, and this is very early Vance; but it's good nonetheless. In fact it's even better than the slightly later Vance it is paired with in this old Ace Double (*The Houses of Iszm*)... Joe Smith is wandering the universe on a personal quest; he ends up on the planet Kyril where a gigantic tree dominates the landscape, an object of worship for the local druids. He soon becomes embroiled in power politics. The writing is crisp, light and yet exotic.
May 5, 2018
Son of the Tree and The Houses of Iszm
These are two early novellas by Jack Vance. Both involve trees but neither are part of any series. This Spatterlight edition is a high quality trade paperback. Below is a brief review of each.
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
Son of the Tree
"Son of the Tree" is a 125 page novella that was written in 1950 and first published in 1951 in the magazine Thrilling Wonder Stories. It was issued in book form in 1964 as an Ace double or twofer with "The Houses of Iszm." In 1974 "Son of the Tree" was published as a stand alone novella. It is currently in print in a high quality paperback edition from Spatterlight Press along with Vance's "The Houses of Iszm." The Son of the Tree is sometimes listed as part three of the Nopalgarth series but this is incorrect. Although there is a novella by this title, there is no such series. Joe Smith, from Earth, has been traveling as a passenger on spaceships for two years, going from planet to planet until his money would run low. Then he would stop and work long enough to buy passage to continue his journey. His travels are in pursuit of a man named Harry Creath. We learn that Smith is in love with a woman on Earth and she might be part of the reason for Smith trying to locate Creath. Smith's motivation is not made clear, however, until toward the end of the story when there is an ironic twist. Having run out of funds again, Smith ends up on the planet Kyril. He plans to stay on Kyril only long enough to earn money to continue his pursuit. On Kyril there is a gigantic Tree that is five miles wide and twelve miles tall and is cared for by the planetary rulers and religious leaders called Druids. This Tree of Life is worshipped by the Druids and the local population called the Laity. There are 200 billion Laity who are peasant farmers and laborers and only two million Druids who live in comparative luxury and are in charge of the rites and ceremonies involved in worshiping the Tree. The Laity believe that if they work very hard and are model citizens that when they die they will be absorbed by the Tree and will become one of Tree's giant leaves. Smith is befriended by a Mang agent named Hableyat. He is a representative or spy from the nearby planet Mangtse and offers to help Smith obtain employment. It is assumed that anyone from Mangtse who visits Kyril is a spy and visa versa. Both planets are competing economically and ideologically in a manner that somewhat resembles the old Soviet/U.S cold war. One of the most recent major issues between the governments of Kyril and Mangtse is that each of them want to form economic ties with the new government on the nearby planet Ballenkarch. The entire population of Ballenkarch has recently been united under a new prince. The prince is importing machinery to industrialize the planet. On Kyril they have no industry so they are dependent on their adversary the Mangs for products. Ballenkarch also has many valuable mineral and agricultural resources. The Druids hope to form an alliance with the Ballenkarchs by converting the new prince and his citizens to worshiping the Tree of Life. The Mang, in the meantime, want to prevent this from happening and hope to form their own economic and political alliance with the new prince of Ballenkarch. But the Mang are not united and have an extreme political division between the two most powerful political parties. Smith is very skilled mechanically so is able to obtain a job maintaining and operating air cars for a Druid priestess named Elfane. One of Elfane's first assignments for Smith is to help dispose of the body of a Mang representative who appears to have been assassinated. Despite his efforts to avoid politics, Smith ends up in the middle of the intense rivalry between the governments of Kyril and Mangtse. Smith suddenly gains some funds after he is bribed to keep silent about the assassination. He then learns that he is about to be murdered so Smith quickly leaves Kyril on a ship to Ballenkarch. But Smith's troubles are not left behind. Much to his dismay he finds that many of the passengers are government agents or even persons he met on Kyril. These include Priestess Elfane, Hableyat and a Druid who back on Kyril had wanted to kill Smith. Smith's life once again is in danger, and he barely avoids being electrocuted. Having his life threatened, however, does not prevent Smith from being attracted to his former employer, Priestess Elfane. But the gap between him and the priestess is immense because she is a Druid priestess totally devoted to her religion and her planet. She might even be involved with others who are plotting Smith's demise. The plot involves espionage, murder, political intrigue, economics, religion, cultural issues and sociological factors. Eventually it leads to the uncovering of the mystery of the true nature of the Tree of Life and the reason for Smith's long pursuit of Creath. This early effort by Vance is entertaining, enjoyable and easy to read, but it is not as well written, deeply thought out, or fully developed as many of his other writings. Vance fans will probably want to read "Son of the Tree." I would not really recommend it to readers who are new to Vance's writings, though, because there are many better Vance works to begin with. My rating: 3 "Liked it."
The Houses of Iszm
This is a novella of 126 pages that was written by Jack Vance in 1953 and first published in 1954 in Startling Stories magazine. It is currently in print in a high quality paperback edition from Spatterlight Press along with Vance's novella Son of the Tree. The Houses of Iszm is sometimes listed as part two of the Nopalgarth series but this is incorrect. Although there is a novella by this title, there is no such series. This novella is not part of any series. Initially the setting is on the planet called Iszm where trees are carefully grown from seeds (with proper care and secret incantations) and end up developing into houses with integrated rooms, walls, ceilings, plumbing, decor, etc. Some develop into simple one room dwellings, but others are luxurious homes with multi levels, bathing pools, and atmospheres charged with oxygen. The people on the planet sell these "houseplants" to distributors on other planets and have a monopoly on them because they never sell a female tree or seeds, and the plants cannot be propagated by cuttings. On Earth all plants are sold exclusively to K. Penche who is allowed to purchase a limited quantity of trees of only one type. On Iszm they have been developing and perfecting these trees that turn into houses for two hundred thousand years. They even have some that grow into being wooden boats, although the rigging must be added artificially. The trees are also sentient beings and have personalities. Some trees are called sentry trees and will strike out and even kill trespassers if they don't know the password. Even if a female seed should ever be stolen there is a very complex, secret process for growing the plants and only the Iszics know how to do this. Each tree also requires many hours of training called house breaking. "It must be entered, mastered, trained. The webbings must be cut; the nerves of ejaculation must be located and paralyzed. The sphincters must open and close at a touch. The art of house-breaking is almost as important as house-breeding. Without correct breaking a house is an unmanageable nuisance--a menace." Our main character, Aile Farr, is a botanist from Earth who decides to visit Iszm and study these plants. He also hopes to persuade the Iszics to allow exports of smaller, more affordable houses to help with housing problems on Earth. Farr learns, however, that it costs the same to grow and ship a simple tree house as it does a multilevel one so the Iszics have no incentive to export cheaper houses. All visitors to Iszm are also suspected of wanting to steal some seeds of female trees and Farr is especially suspect because he is a botanist. The government on Iszm is constantly trying to monitor and thwart theft by using elaborate security systems, screenings and procedures. Those who try to steal are usually killed or captured. If captured they are sent to a tree prison called the Mad House. This is a suspenseful, humorous, easy to read novella involving police, undercover agents, smugglers, murderers and a central character who tries to stay alive while figuring out what is going on. Vance fans will want to read The Houses of Iszm even though it is not one of his finest works. Those looking for an odd, easy to read novella might also find this enjoyable. This is the second time I have read this recently and continue to rate it 3 "Liked it."
These are two early novellas by Jack Vance. Both involve trees but neither are part of any series. This Spatterlight edition is a high quality trade paperback. Below is a brief review of each.
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
Son of the Tree
"Son of the Tree" is a 125 page novella that was written in 1950 and first published in 1951 in the magazine Thrilling Wonder Stories. It was issued in book form in 1964 as an Ace double or twofer with "The Houses of Iszm." In 1974 "Son of the Tree" was published as a stand alone novella. It is currently in print in a high quality paperback edition from Spatterlight Press along with Vance's "The Houses of Iszm." The Son of the Tree is sometimes listed as part three of the Nopalgarth series but this is incorrect. Although there is a novella by this title, there is no such series. Joe Smith, from Earth, has been traveling as a passenger on spaceships for two years, going from planet to planet until his money would run low. Then he would stop and work long enough to buy passage to continue his journey. His travels are in pursuit of a man named Harry Creath. We learn that Smith is in love with a woman on Earth and she might be part of the reason for Smith trying to locate Creath. Smith's motivation is not made clear, however, until toward the end of the story when there is an ironic twist. Having run out of funds again, Smith ends up on the planet Kyril. He plans to stay on Kyril only long enough to earn money to continue his pursuit. On Kyril there is a gigantic Tree that is five miles wide and twelve miles tall and is cared for by the planetary rulers and religious leaders called Druids. This Tree of Life is worshipped by the Druids and the local population called the Laity. There are 200 billion Laity who are peasant farmers and laborers and only two million Druids who live in comparative luxury and are in charge of the rites and ceremonies involved in worshiping the Tree. The Laity believe that if they work very hard and are model citizens that when they die they will be absorbed by the Tree and will become one of Tree's giant leaves. Smith is befriended by a Mang agent named Hableyat. He is a representative or spy from the nearby planet Mangtse and offers to help Smith obtain employment. It is assumed that anyone from Mangtse who visits Kyril is a spy and visa versa. Both planets are competing economically and ideologically in a manner that somewhat resembles the old Soviet/U.S cold war. One of the most recent major issues between the governments of Kyril and Mangtse is that each of them want to form economic ties with the new government on the nearby planet Ballenkarch. The entire population of Ballenkarch has recently been united under a new prince. The prince is importing machinery to industrialize the planet. On Kyril they have no industry so they are dependent on their adversary the Mangs for products. Ballenkarch also has many valuable mineral and agricultural resources. The Druids hope to form an alliance with the Ballenkarchs by converting the new prince and his citizens to worshiping the Tree of Life. The Mang, in the meantime, want to prevent this from happening and hope to form their own economic and political alliance with the new prince of Ballenkarch. But the Mang are not united and have an extreme political division between the two most powerful political parties. Smith is very skilled mechanically so is able to obtain a job maintaining and operating air cars for a Druid priestess named Elfane. One of Elfane's first assignments for Smith is to help dispose of the body of a Mang representative who appears to have been assassinated. Despite his efforts to avoid politics, Smith ends up in the middle of the intense rivalry between the governments of Kyril and Mangtse. Smith suddenly gains some funds after he is bribed to keep silent about the assassination. He then learns that he is about to be murdered so Smith quickly leaves Kyril on a ship to Ballenkarch. But Smith's troubles are not left behind. Much to his dismay he finds that many of the passengers are government agents or even persons he met on Kyril. These include Priestess Elfane, Hableyat and a Druid who back on Kyril had wanted to kill Smith. Smith's life once again is in danger, and he barely avoids being electrocuted. Having his life threatened, however, does not prevent Smith from being attracted to his former employer, Priestess Elfane. But the gap between him and the priestess is immense because she is a Druid priestess totally devoted to her religion and her planet. She might even be involved with others who are plotting Smith's demise. The plot involves espionage, murder, political intrigue, economics, religion, cultural issues and sociological factors. Eventually it leads to the uncovering of the mystery of the true nature of the Tree of Life and the reason for Smith's long pursuit of Creath. This early effort by Vance is entertaining, enjoyable and easy to read, but it is not as well written, deeply thought out, or fully developed as many of his other writings. Vance fans will probably want to read "Son of the Tree." I would not really recommend it to readers who are new to Vance's writings, though, because there are many better Vance works to begin with. My rating: 3 "Liked it."
The Houses of Iszm
This is a novella of 126 pages that was written by Jack Vance in 1953 and first published in 1954 in Startling Stories magazine. It is currently in print in a high quality paperback edition from Spatterlight Press along with Vance's novella Son of the Tree. The Houses of Iszm is sometimes listed as part two of the Nopalgarth series but this is incorrect. Although there is a novella by this title, there is no such series. This novella is not part of any series. Initially the setting is on the planet called Iszm where trees are carefully grown from seeds (with proper care and secret incantations) and end up developing into houses with integrated rooms, walls, ceilings, plumbing, decor, etc. Some develop into simple one room dwellings, but others are luxurious homes with multi levels, bathing pools, and atmospheres charged with oxygen. The people on the planet sell these "houseplants" to distributors on other planets and have a monopoly on them because they never sell a female tree or seeds, and the plants cannot be propagated by cuttings. On Earth all plants are sold exclusively to K. Penche who is allowed to purchase a limited quantity of trees of only one type. On Iszm they have been developing and perfecting these trees that turn into houses for two hundred thousand years. They even have some that grow into being wooden boats, although the rigging must be added artificially. The trees are also sentient beings and have personalities. Some trees are called sentry trees and will strike out and even kill trespassers if they don't know the password. Even if a female seed should ever be stolen there is a very complex, secret process for growing the plants and only the Iszics know how to do this. Each tree also requires many hours of training called house breaking. "It must be entered, mastered, trained. The webbings must be cut; the nerves of ejaculation must be located and paralyzed. The sphincters must open and close at a touch. The art of house-breaking is almost as important as house-breeding. Without correct breaking a house is an unmanageable nuisance--a menace." Our main character, Aile Farr, is a botanist from Earth who decides to visit Iszm and study these plants. He also hopes to persuade the Iszics to allow exports of smaller, more affordable houses to help with housing problems on Earth. Farr learns, however, that it costs the same to grow and ship a simple tree house as it does a multilevel one so the Iszics have no incentive to export cheaper houses. All visitors to Iszm are also suspected of wanting to steal some seeds of female trees and Farr is especially suspect because he is a botanist. The government on Iszm is constantly trying to monitor and thwart theft by using elaborate security systems, screenings and procedures. Those who try to steal are usually killed or captured. If captured they are sent to a tree prison called the Mad House. This is a suspenseful, humorous, easy to read novella involving police, undercover agents, smugglers, murderers and a central character who tries to stay alive while figuring out what is going on. Vance fans will want to read The Houses of Iszm even though it is not one of his finest works. Those looking for an odd, easy to read novella might also find this enjoyable. This is the second time I have read this recently and continue to rate it 3 "Liked it."
December 27, 2016
This is an Ace double or twofer with two Jack Vance novellas included. Both involve amazing trees. It mentions above that they are part of a Nopalgarth series but this is incorrect. I have verified with experts that, although there is a novella with the title Nopalgarth, there is no such series.
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
Below is a review of the two novellas:
Son of the Tree and The Houses of Iszm
These are two early novellas by Jack Vance. Both involve trees but neither are part of any series. Below is a brief review of each:
Son of the Tree
"Son of the Tree" is a 125 page novella that was written in 1950 and first published in 1951 in the magazine Thrilling Wonder Stories. It was issued in book form in 1964 as an Ace double or twofer with "The Houses of Iszm." In 1974 "Son of the Tree" was published as a stand alone novella. It is currently in print in a high quality paperback edition from Spatterlight Press along with Vance's "The Houses of Iszm." The Son of the Tree is sometimes listed as part three of the Nopalgarth series but this is incorrect. Although there is a novella by this title, there is no such series. Joe Smith, from Earth, has been traveling as a passenger on spaceships for two years, going from planet to planet until his money would run low. Then he would stop and work long enough to buy passage to continue his journey. His travels are in pursuit of a man named Harry Creath. We learn that Smith is in love with a woman on Earth and she might be part of the reason for Smith trying to locate Creath. Smith's motivation is not made clear, however, until toward the end of the story when there is an ironic twist. Having run out of funds again, Smith ends up on the planet Kyril. He plans to stay on Kyril only long enough to earn money to continue his pursuit. On Kyril there is a gigantic Tree that is five miles wide and twelve miles tall and is cared for by the planetary rulers and religious leaders called Druids. This Tree of Life is worshipped by the Druids and the local population called the Laity. There are 200 billion Laity who are peasant farmers and laborers and only two million Druids who live in comparative luxury and are in charge of the rites and ceremonies involved in worshiping the Tree. The Laity believe that if they work very hard and are model citizens that when they die they will be absorbed by the Tree and will become one of Tree's giant leaves. Smith is befriended by a Mang agent named Hableyat. He is a representative or spy from the nearby planet Mangtse and offers to help Smith obtain employment. It is assumed that anyone from Mangtse who visits Kyril is a spy and visa versa. Both planets are competing economically and ideologically in a manner that somewhat resembles the old Soviet/U.S cold war. One of the most recent major issues between the governments of Kyril and Mangtse is that each of them want to form economic ties with the new government on the nearby planet Ballenkarch. The entire population of Ballenkarch has recently been united under a new prince. The prince is importing machinery to industrialize the planet. On Kyril they have no industry so they are dependent on their adversary the Mangs for products. Ballenkarch also has many valuable mineral and agricultural resources. The Druids hope to form an alliance with the Ballenkarchs by converting the new prince and his citizens to worshiping the Tree of Life. The Mang, in the meantime, want to prevent this from happening and hope to form their own economic and political alliance with the new prince of Ballenkarch. But the Mang are not united and have an extreme political division between the two most powerful political parties. Smith is very skilled mechanically so is able to obtain a job maintaining and operating air cars for a Druid priestess named Elfane. One of Elfane's first assignments for Smith is to help dispose of the body of a Mang representative who appears to have been assassinated. Despite his efforts to avoid politics, Smith ends up in the middle of the intense rivalry between the governments of Kyril and Mangtse. Smith suddenly gains some funds after he is bribed to keep silent about the assassination. He then learns that he is about to be murdered so Smith quickly leaves Kyril on a ship to Ballenkarch. But Smith's troubles are not left behind. Much to his dismay he finds that many of the passengers are government agents or even persons he met on Kyril. These include Priestess Elfane, Hableyat and a Druid who back on Kyril had wanted to kill Smith. Smith's life once again is in danger, and he barely avoids being electrocuted. Having his life threatened, however, does not prevent Smith from being attracted to his former employer, Priestess Elfane. But the gap between him and the priestess is immense because she is a Druid priestess totally devoted to her religion and her planet. She might even be involved with others who are plotting Smith's demise. The plot involves espionage, murder, political intrigue, economics, religion, cultural issues and sociological factors. Eventually it leads to the uncovering of the mystery of the true nature of the Tree of Life and the reason for Smith's long pursuit of Creath. This early effort by Vance is entertaining, enjoyable and easy to read, but it is not as well written, deeply thought out, or fully developed as many of his other writings. Vance fans will probably want to read "Son of the Tree." I would not really recommend it to readers who are new to Vance's writings, though, because there are many better Vance works to begin with. I've read this four times and rate it a 4-.
The Houses of Iszm
This is a novella of 126 pages that was written by Jack Vance in 1953 and first published in 1954 in Startling Stories magazine. It is currently in print in a high quality paperback edition from Spatterlight Press along with Vance's novella Son of the Tree. The Houses of Iszm is sometimes listed as part two of the Nopalgarth series but this is incorrect. Although there is a novella by this title, there is no such series. This novella is not part of any series. Initially the setting is on the planet called Iszm where trees are carefully grown from seeds (with proper care and secret incantations) and end up developing into houses with integrated rooms, walls, ceilings, plumbing, decor, etc. Some develop into simple one room dwellings, but others are luxurious homes with multi levels, bathing pools, and atmospheres charged with oxygen. The people on the planet sell these "houseplants" to distributors on other planets and have a monopoly on them because they never sell a female tree or seeds, and the plants cannot be propagated by cuttings. On Earth all plants are sold exclusively to K. Penche who is allowed to purchase a limited quantity of trees of only one type. On Iszm they have been developing and perfecting these trees that turn into houses for two hundred thousand years. They even have some that grow into being wooden boats, although the rigging must be added artificially. The trees are also sentient beings and have personalities. Some trees are called sentry trees and will strike out and even kill trespassers if they don't know the password. Even if a female seed should ever be stolen there is a very complex, secret process for growing the plants and only the Iszics know how to do this. Each tree also requires many hours of training called house breaking. "It must be entered, mastered, trained. The webbings must be cut; the nerves of ejaculation must be located and paralyzed. The sphincters must open and close at a touch. The art of house-breaking is almost as important as house-breeding. Without correct breaking a house is an unmanageable nuisance--a menace." Our main character, Aile Farr, is a botanist from Earth who decides to visit Iszm and study these plants. He also hopes to persuade the Iszics to allow exports of smaller, more affordable houses to help with housing problems on Earth. Farr learns, however, that it costs the same to grow and ship a simple tree house as it does a multilevel one so the Iszics have no incentive to export cheaper houses. All visitors to Iszm are also suspected of wanting to steal some seeds of female trees and Farr is especially suspect because he is a botanist. The government on Iszm is constantly trying to monitor and thwart theft by using elaborate security systems, screenings and procedures. Those who try to steal are usually killed or captured. If captured they are sent to a tree prison called the Mad House. This is a suspenseful, humorous, easy to read novella involving police, undercover agents, smugglers, murderers and a central character who tries to stay alive while figuring out what is going on. Vance fans will want to read The Houses of Iszm even though it is not one of his finest works. Those looking for an odd, easy to read novella might also find this enjoyable. I've read this four times and rate it a 4-.
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
Below is a review of the two novellas:
Son of the Tree and The Houses of Iszm
These are two early novellas by Jack Vance. Both involve trees but neither are part of any series. Below is a brief review of each:
Son of the Tree
"Son of the Tree" is a 125 page novella that was written in 1950 and first published in 1951 in the magazine Thrilling Wonder Stories. It was issued in book form in 1964 as an Ace double or twofer with "The Houses of Iszm." In 1974 "Son of the Tree" was published as a stand alone novella. It is currently in print in a high quality paperback edition from Spatterlight Press along with Vance's "The Houses of Iszm." The Son of the Tree is sometimes listed as part three of the Nopalgarth series but this is incorrect. Although there is a novella by this title, there is no such series. Joe Smith, from Earth, has been traveling as a passenger on spaceships for two years, going from planet to planet until his money would run low. Then he would stop and work long enough to buy passage to continue his journey. His travels are in pursuit of a man named Harry Creath. We learn that Smith is in love with a woman on Earth and she might be part of the reason for Smith trying to locate Creath. Smith's motivation is not made clear, however, until toward the end of the story when there is an ironic twist. Having run out of funds again, Smith ends up on the planet Kyril. He plans to stay on Kyril only long enough to earn money to continue his pursuit. On Kyril there is a gigantic Tree that is five miles wide and twelve miles tall and is cared for by the planetary rulers and religious leaders called Druids. This Tree of Life is worshipped by the Druids and the local population called the Laity. There are 200 billion Laity who are peasant farmers and laborers and only two million Druids who live in comparative luxury and are in charge of the rites and ceremonies involved in worshiping the Tree. The Laity believe that if they work very hard and are model citizens that when they die they will be absorbed by the Tree and will become one of Tree's giant leaves. Smith is befriended by a Mang agent named Hableyat. He is a representative or spy from the nearby planet Mangtse and offers to help Smith obtain employment. It is assumed that anyone from Mangtse who visits Kyril is a spy and visa versa. Both planets are competing economically and ideologically in a manner that somewhat resembles the old Soviet/U.S cold war. One of the most recent major issues between the governments of Kyril and Mangtse is that each of them want to form economic ties with the new government on the nearby planet Ballenkarch. The entire population of Ballenkarch has recently been united under a new prince. The prince is importing machinery to industrialize the planet. On Kyril they have no industry so they are dependent on their adversary the Mangs for products. Ballenkarch also has many valuable mineral and agricultural resources. The Druids hope to form an alliance with the Ballenkarchs by converting the new prince and his citizens to worshiping the Tree of Life. The Mang, in the meantime, want to prevent this from happening and hope to form their own economic and political alliance with the new prince of Ballenkarch. But the Mang are not united and have an extreme political division between the two most powerful political parties. Smith is very skilled mechanically so is able to obtain a job maintaining and operating air cars for a Druid priestess named Elfane. One of Elfane's first assignments for Smith is to help dispose of the body of a Mang representative who appears to have been assassinated. Despite his efforts to avoid politics, Smith ends up in the middle of the intense rivalry between the governments of Kyril and Mangtse. Smith suddenly gains some funds after he is bribed to keep silent about the assassination. He then learns that he is about to be murdered so Smith quickly leaves Kyril on a ship to Ballenkarch. But Smith's troubles are not left behind. Much to his dismay he finds that many of the passengers are government agents or even persons he met on Kyril. These include Priestess Elfane, Hableyat and a Druid who back on Kyril had wanted to kill Smith. Smith's life once again is in danger, and he barely avoids being electrocuted. Having his life threatened, however, does not prevent Smith from being attracted to his former employer, Priestess Elfane. But the gap between him and the priestess is immense because she is a Druid priestess totally devoted to her religion and her planet. She might even be involved with others who are plotting Smith's demise. The plot involves espionage, murder, political intrigue, economics, religion, cultural issues and sociological factors. Eventually it leads to the uncovering of the mystery of the true nature of the Tree of Life and the reason for Smith's long pursuit of Creath. This early effort by Vance is entertaining, enjoyable and easy to read, but it is not as well written, deeply thought out, or fully developed as many of his other writings. Vance fans will probably want to read "Son of the Tree." I would not really recommend it to readers who are new to Vance's writings, though, because there are many better Vance works to begin with. I've read this four times and rate it a 4-.
The Houses of Iszm
This is a novella of 126 pages that was written by Jack Vance in 1953 and first published in 1954 in Startling Stories magazine. It is currently in print in a high quality paperback edition from Spatterlight Press along with Vance's novella Son of the Tree. The Houses of Iszm is sometimes listed as part two of the Nopalgarth series but this is incorrect. Although there is a novella by this title, there is no such series. This novella is not part of any series. Initially the setting is on the planet called Iszm where trees are carefully grown from seeds (with proper care and secret incantations) and end up developing into houses with integrated rooms, walls, ceilings, plumbing, decor, etc. Some develop into simple one room dwellings, but others are luxurious homes with multi levels, bathing pools, and atmospheres charged with oxygen. The people on the planet sell these "houseplants" to distributors on other planets and have a monopoly on them because they never sell a female tree or seeds, and the plants cannot be propagated by cuttings. On Earth all plants are sold exclusively to K. Penche who is allowed to purchase a limited quantity of trees of only one type. On Iszm they have been developing and perfecting these trees that turn into houses for two hundred thousand years. They even have some that grow into being wooden boats, although the rigging must be added artificially. The trees are also sentient beings and have personalities. Some trees are called sentry trees and will strike out and even kill trespassers if they don't know the password. Even if a female seed should ever be stolen there is a very complex, secret process for growing the plants and only the Iszics know how to do this. Each tree also requires many hours of training called house breaking. "It must be entered, mastered, trained. The webbings must be cut; the nerves of ejaculation must be located and paralyzed. The sphincters must open and close at a touch. The art of house-breaking is almost as important as house-breeding. Without correct breaking a house is an unmanageable nuisance--a menace." Our main character, Aile Farr, is a botanist from Earth who decides to visit Iszm and study these plants. He also hopes to persuade the Iszics to allow exports of smaller, more affordable houses to help with housing problems on Earth. Farr learns, however, that it costs the same to grow and ship a simple tree house as it does a multilevel one so the Iszics have no incentive to export cheaper houses. All visitors to Iszm are also suspected of wanting to steal some seeds of female trees and Farr is especially suspect because he is a botanist. The government on Iszm is constantly trying to monitor and thwart theft by using elaborate security systems, screenings and procedures. Those who try to steal are usually killed or captured. If captured they are sent to a tree prison called the Mad House. This is a suspenseful, humorous, easy to read novella involving police, undercover agents, smugglers, murderers and a central character who tries to stay alive while figuring out what is going on. Vance fans will want to read The Houses of Iszm even though it is not one of his finest works. Those looking for an odd, easy to read novella might also find this enjoyable. I've read this four times and rate it a 4-.
April 11, 2024
Son of the Tree
This is extraordinarily quaint, featuring extreme retro-physics. Shields are needed at the front of the ship to avoid running into light radiation, and of course the view from the rear of the ship is completely black, because the ship is going faster than light!
The “tree” in Son of the Tree is a gigantic tree of immense proportions, worshipped by an entire world, Cyril, and tended by a tiny subset of Druids on Kyril.
Joe Smith is a man on a mission of love, which seems quixotic from the start and only gets more so as the story progresses. It’s not quite a comedy, more a deliberate comedy of errors, darkly humorous, and that, also, only gets moreso as the story ends. Both the reveal and the likely solution are horrific in their own way.
The Houses of Iszm
It takes a while to figure out what’s going on, and the economics remain very weird, but the people of the planet Iszm grow houses to ship to the rest of the universe, and are desperate to keep their monopoly on growing houses. It would be very easy to smuggle a tiny female house seed off planet, so they literally don’t allow anyone to bring anything in or bring anything out—all clothes and belongings are stored on arrival. Travelers are issued new clothes and “Iszic equivalent” belongings which are returned before leaving.
The narrator at the beginning informs us that the people of Iszm know they will fail one day. But they are ruthless in putting off that day for as long as possible.
Into this walks a tourist who acts extraordinarily guilty, and so incurs the full attention of the Iszic authorities, in response to which he acts even more extraordinarily guilty. However, the story is told from his perspective, including his thoughts (which Iszm has ways of monitoring on arrival and departure anyway), so that we know he is not planning on stealing a house seed, nor has he done anything with the purpose of stealing a house seed.
Except of course that he every obviously has acted as a criminal would, which of course gets him in trouble both from Iszic authorities and from any other person on Iszic, on Earth, and in between, with an interest in smuggle houses. He comes across as extraordinarily arrogant, barely in control of his emotions, and basically a complete jerk.
And if you’re thinking, ah, then I know the answer, you are wrong—mostly. Vance doesn’t fully explain what happens—there are things that look like coincidences that probably weren’t and the people with the ability to explain them don’t bother. It does end up being a better story with a better conclusion than I was expecting.
Collection
Apparently Jack Gaughan did the cover for both sides of this tête-bêche book. I was surprised; the covers are, to my untrained eye, in very different styles. The cover for Houses if psychedelic in a sort of fake manner—once you read the story, the objects on the cover make sense. It’s still very cool and would make a great poster. Son of the Tree’s cover would not; the face and the background look almost childish, even crayonish.
I bought this book almost solely for the Houses cover, and while the stories didn’t quite fulfill the cover’s promise, I’ll likely keep the book for that cover as well.
This is extraordinarily quaint, featuring extreme retro-physics. Shields are needed at the front of the ship to avoid running into light radiation, and of course the view from the rear of the ship is completely black, because the ship is going faster than light!
The “tree” in Son of the Tree is a gigantic tree of immense proportions, worshipped by an entire world, Cyril, and tended by a tiny subset of Druids on Kyril.
Joe Smith is a man on a mission of love, which seems quixotic from the start and only gets more so as the story progresses. It’s not quite a comedy, more a deliberate comedy of errors, darkly humorous, and that, also, only gets moreso as the story ends. Both the reveal and the likely solution are horrific in their own way.
The Houses of Iszm
It takes a while to figure out what’s going on, and the economics remain very weird, but the people of the planet Iszm grow houses to ship to the rest of the universe, and are desperate to keep their monopoly on growing houses. It would be very easy to smuggle a tiny female house seed off planet, so they literally don’t allow anyone to bring anything in or bring anything out—all clothes and belongings are stored on arrival. Travelers are issued new clothes and “Iszic equivalent” belongings which are returned before leaving.
The narrator at the beginning informs us that the people of Iszm know they will fail one day. But they are ruthless in putting off that day for as long as possible.
Into this walks a tourist who acts extraordinarily guilty, and so incurs the full attention of the Iszic authorities, in response to which he acts even more extraordinarily guilty. However, the story is told from his perspective, including his thoughts (which Iszm has ways of monitoring on arrival and departure anyway), so that we know he is not planning on stealing a house seed, nor has he done anything with the purpose of stealing a house seed.
Except of course that he every obviously has acted as a criminal would, which of course gets him in trouble both from Iszic authorities and from any other person on Iszic, on Earth, and in between, with an interest in smuggle houses. He comes across as extraordinarily arrogant, barely in control of his emotions, and basically a complete jerk.
And if you’re thinking, ah, then I know the answer, you are wrong—mostly. Vance doesn’t fully explain what happens—there are things that look like coincidences that probably weren’t and the people with the ability to explain them don’t bother. It does end up being a better story with a better conclusion than I was expecting.
Collection
Apparently Jack Gaughan did the cover for both sides of this tête-bêche book. I was surprised; the covers are, to my untrained eye, in very different styles. The cover for Houses if psychedelic in a sort of fake manner—once you read the story, the objects on the cover make sense. It’s still very cool and would make a great poster. Son of the Tree’s cover would not; the face and the background look almost childish, even crayonish.
I bought this book almost solely for the Houses cover, and while the stories didn’t quite fulfill the cover’s promise, I’ll likely keep the book for that cover as well.
March 15, 2025
Two fun, early Jack Vance novellas. Whilst neither shine against his very best work, they still have all his wry wit and unparalleled imagination for unique societies, planets and cultures. Both of these have botanic themes; Houses of the Iszm focusing on a culture that grows houses from custom plant pods and guards them from outworlders with unnatural zealotry, whilst Son of the Tree focuses on a druidic world worshipping a World Tree as the source of life and its attempts to spread the religion to its neighbours.
In typical Vance fashion, these are SF stories that blend genres - in this case they are capers, with one being more of a heist story and the other rich in political intrigue, both led by a typically put upon protaganist. Packing a lot into 110 pages each, there's not much difference between the two stories in terms of quality, but at a push I probably prefer Houses of Iszm overall, whilst Son of the Tree has the slightly better ending.
Poking fun at all things religious, nationalistic and capitalistic with equal fervour, these two stories rich with dastardly shenanigans, treachery, twists, comical self interested characters, wondrous worlds and the odd civilisation brought crumbling to its knees. It's hard not to love even the lesser Jack Vance novels and his books always provide me with plenty of entertainment - which is all that matters.
In typical Vance fashion, these are SF stories that blend genres - in this case they are capers, with one being more of a heist story and the other rich in political intrigue, both led by a typically put upon protaganist. Packing a lot into 110 pages each, there's not much difference between the two stories in terms of quality, but at a push I probably prefer Houses of Iszm overall, whilst Son of the Tree has the slightly better ending.
Poking fun at all things religious, nationalistic and capitalistic with equal fervour, these two stories rich with dastardly shenanigans, treachery, twists, comical self interested characters, wondrous worlds and the odd civilisation brought crumbling to its knees. It's hard not to love even the lesser Jack Vance novels and his books always provide me with plenty of entertainment - which is all that matters.
November 26, 2025
Bruce Willis in The Fifth Element was perfect casting for a filmed version of a Jack Vance novel (loosely based on "Space Opera"). Vance's hero is a loner, easily influenced by beautiful women who don't have his best interests in mind; a hero prone to getting beat up by being at the wrong place at the wrong time and doing the right thing, even though he doesn't want to. Joe, the hero of Son of The Tree fits this mold to a tee. It's a bit of 50's noir, complete with femme fatal, set in the far future where two races fight for influence over a new ruler emerging from a savage planet. Vance is very readable, even though his misogyny is jarring. At the end of this novel he casually notes: "On Earth men are used to having their own way and the women are auxiliary inhabitants." Only when Joe has tamed his Druid Femme can there be a happy ending. Even when this was written (1951), Vance was not looking into the future, but longing for an old ideal that was disappearing quickly.
March 6, 2023
I'd really rate this two and half starts. Houses of Iszm I'd give three. The premise or backdrop is interesting, a whole plant devoted to cultivating tree houses of fabulous, fantastical design, which it sells throughout the galaxy. But, this idea is not developed or explored very much. Mainly, it's just a sort of second-rate espionage novel with a sort of "surprise" but very foreseeable ending.
Son of the Tree doesn't even have that interesting of a premise or backdrop. It's a planet with this HUGE tree, or tree monster, that everyone on the planet is devoted to serving/cultivating. Why does the tree merit such fanatical devotion? Apparently, no other reason than that it is really huge and malicious. The bulk of the story is really, like House of Iszm, a second-rate espionage novel, with a trite romance thrown in. I'd give it two stars.
Son of the Tree doesn't even have that interesting of a premise or backdrop. It's a planet with this HUGE tree, or tree monster, that everyone on the planet is devoted to serving/cultivating. Why does the tree merit such fanatical devotion? Apparently, no other reason than that it is really huge and malicious. The bulk of the story is really, like House of Iszm, a second-rate espionage novel, with a trite romance thrown in. I'd give it two stars.
November 15, 2017
I bought this book for two reasons. The first, it's by Jack Vance. The second, it's a weird double book where two stories take up each half, one upside down from the other, requiring you to flip the book over to read the next story. I had never seen this sort of thing before. The stories had some interesting ideas that still seemed fresh and interesting considering they're nearly sixty years old. But still, a little drawn out, even at less than 150 pages each.
March 17, 2023
The Houses of Iszm was one of the more underwhelming Vance novellas I’ve read, and yet it had several lines of such jaw-dropping beauty, and its description of mind-control-induced compulsion actually helped me grow as a person (in the midst of quitting smoking).
July 31, 2018
Great classic sci-fi; classic Jack Vance.
January 15, 2019
I think I first read this in 1973 when a friend lent me a copy. I do not think I was much impressed by "Son of the tree" and I did not read it again. However I think some years later I did re-read "The houses of Iszm" when I saw it in the library (perhaps in a collection of stories).
Forty five years on I have been re-reading the author's books so I decided to buy the Spatterlight Press edition. I did not remember "Son of the Tree" at all but this time I enjoyed it. The writing is witty and humorous even if the plot is a bit quaint (it was first published in 1951) it's a good read. I did recall one part of "The houses of Iszm" (first published in 1954) and did remember the plot. The author conjures up bizarre worlds and knows how to tell a story so if you like his other books you will probably enjoy this.
Forty five years on I have been re-reading the author's books so I decided to buy the Spatterlight Press edition. I did not remember "Son of the Tree" at all but this time I enjoyed it. The writing is witty and humorous even if the plot is a bit quaint (it was first published in 1951) it's a good read. I did recall one part of "The houses of Iszm" (first published in 1954) and did remember the plot. The author conjures up bizarre worlds and knows how to tell a story so if you like his other books you will probably enjoy this.
November 2, 2011
I am lately reading some Jack Vance. It is a pleasure that there are great (or advertised as great) authors I've barely read. I caught some Jack Vance hype from an article in The New York Times, and I've picked up paperbacks at some recent library book sales.
This book (half of an Ace double, hence a novella) is very pulpy. It has some wild ideas and many of them are just tossed out in passing -- I see this as a precursor to the Delany, Gene Wolfe, Le Guin style of throwing the read into alienness without much explanation. Still, Vance's book is in the tough hero mode, and retains romantic trappings, plenty.
This book (half of an Ace double, hence a novella) is very pulpy. It has some wild ideas and many of them are just tossed out in passing -- I see this as a precursor to the Delany, Gene Wolfe, Le Guin style of throwing the read into alienness without much explanation. Still, Vance's book is in the tough hero mode, and retains romantic trappings, plenty.
January 9, 2021
Early and somewhat primitive works by Vance, but some of his wonderful idiosyncrasies are already on display. Especially in the first story there is the regrettable tendency, common to early SF, to have characters speak in the "lingo" of the time, which does not age well. Also neither ending is particularly satisfying. Still fun to read, but best for the Vance aficionado.
May 28, 2008
Son of the Tree & The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance (1964)
September 3, 2008
A fun read
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