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Lyonesse II: The Green Pearl And Madouc (Fantasy Masterworks # 35) by Jack Vance
02/02/2008 . Source: RJ Barker 
pub: Gollancz. 776 page paperback. Price: £ 8.99 (UK). ISBN: 0-575-07517-1). Buy Lyonesse II in the USA - or Buy Lyonesse II in the UK  check out website: www.orionbooks.co.uk
It's very difficult to give a plot premise for this book. To start with, it isn't one book but two, 'The Green Pearl' and 'Madouc'.
'The Green Pearl' starts with the sorceress, Desmie, who after a failed relationship with the sorcerer Tamurello split herself into two beings. The first was the beautiful but empty Melancthe and the second, the evil Faude Carfilhiot. The latter then devolved into a green pearl of evil nature that brings misfortune to all that hold it. Both Melencthe and the Green Pearl weave their way through both of these books and are used to tie together what are a series of short adventures. 'The Green Pearl' deals ostensibly with King Aillas of Troicinet as he ejects the Ska from the province of South Ulfland in the Elder Isles and is in turn plotted against by King Casmir of Lyonesse. Aillas is assisted by the Sorcere Shimrod, scion of the more powerful Murgen, who is clearly Merlin,
'Madouc' deals with the coming of age of Princess Madouc of Lyonesse, who is thought by all but a few to be the Grandaughter of King Casmir but is in fact a changeling, a child of the Fairies. As she grows, Madouc discovers more about her true lineage and not only becomes a danger to herself but also to Prince Dhrum of Troicinet, the true Grandson of King Casmir.
The Arthurian overtones in this book aren't so much the plot or the names of the characters which only really hint at the Arthurian stories, it's in the episodic nature of the story. Anyone familiar with the Arthurian cycle will be familiar with the way it moves. Arthur is the base for a number of stories. We return to him then follow the characters that move around him for a story and come back. Jack Vance writes in a very similar way but still manages to make this feel very much a novel rather than a collection of short stories. There are definite stylistic nods to Mallory and the Icelandic Sagas but they are never overt. Vance is obviously familiar with mythology in much the same way Tolkien was although, thankfully, he decides to leave out all the singing. There is a lot that will be familiar to anyone interested in European folklore though on occasion you may have trouble putting your finger on just why.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this book is it doesn't obey the rules set down for fiction. Things are not always explained and ends are not always tied up. Often, things are seen and described and then just left. I imagine that some people may find this frustrating but I found that it really added to the magical feel of the book and it is magical. When I got this book, a friend told me that Jack Vance is one of the fathers of high fantasy and my heart dropped a little bit. I've read enough fantasy to know just how bad high fantasy can be, endless descriptions and explanations of the mythology of the world and page after page of plot stuffing and cod poetry but Vance is in a different league altogether. Reading this shows you just how woeful a lot of fantasy is. Vance's imagination is truly breathtaking and the way he gives you images and concepts that are familiar from mythology and then twists them into something new is wonderful. This isn't a book that grabs and pulls you into the action, though some of the plotting between Aillas and Casmir is fascinating, it's more like a slowly unfolding diorama done in hazy pastels. There were times when reading that my attention wandered as the book and the prose itself is hazy and dream-like but that's not necessarily a bad thing as my mind wandered off to think about what the book had just said to me.
The characters are all flawed and very human. They make mistakes and are often the architects of their own downfalls. There are flaws in this work, threats to major characters are learnt of as we follow different characters in their story. These threats are often beaten in a rather off-hand manner, as though Vance didn't really want to bother with them. It's a small niggle though and fits with the ethereal nature of the story.
This isn't a riveting action-packed read and some people could find the airy, dream-like nature frustrating, especially if you're after ringing swords and spectacular magic, but I found this book) magical and well, enchanting.
RJ Barker
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