There is nothing quite like getting immersed into another world, taking in the sights and sounds of an alien place similar enough to our own, yet different enough to be explored with wonder. Some of the best fantasy novels accomplish this feat quickly and never let us go as we are subjected to wonder after wonder and our imagination soars along with the authors. Wait! This book, Emphyrio, by Jack Vance, isn’t a fantasy! This is part of the Sci-fi Masterworks series. Jack doesn’t care, he’s going to give us a new world to play with, and he’s going to set it in the far future with space ships and, more importantly, some invigorating social commentary.
The book opens with an interrogation of what we presume to be the main character, Ghyl Tarvoke. Here we are given little hints about his character and his society. Then, in the next chapter, we begin to get Ghyl’s story, and his fascination with a legendary person named Emphyrio is the impetus for both his conflict with society and his drive for knowledge. He lives in a society that provides for everything one would need, but doesn’t leave room for personal growth or imagination. But, he also wonders why these other people called “lords” seem to have a more affluent lifestyle. They partake in frivolous entertainments, wear fancy clothes, and receive more compensation from the labors of the common folk.
This theme of the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ is the heart of the story. It is what leads Ghyl through a series of events that uncovers information about his peoples’ history he didn’t know. These new revelations lead to new questions and open up new avenues of adventure. Ghyl’s curiosity leads to enlightenment, which leads to actions taken to try and change the status quo. It soon becomes evident that everything is not quite what it seemed to the ignorant Ghyl we first meet, and that he has to adjust his actions and views to meet the challenge of new information garnered.
Vance moves this plot along at a rapid pace that doesn’t let the reader go. He strikes a balance between making his character interesting, yet enough of a blank slate so that the reader can self-identify with him, and learn with him as he moves along. He accomplished a fully realized setting within such a short time, showing what a master of the craft he is. There is no hard science in this tale, so if you’re looking for that you may be disappointed. This tale fits into a sword and sorcery mode more than hard sci-fi, just without the swords or the sorcery, unless you consider unexplained pseudo-science as sorcery and the occasional ray gun as a sword. If you like that, you’ll love this book. Adventure on a high scale told with wit and style awaits!
