Tales of Majipoor

It is exciting to return to Majipoor again, even if one has not followed the series and had not been there since Lord Valentine’s Castle (1980). Some may prefer it to Middle Earth, Arrakis or Barsoom. Robert Silverberg, a Science Fiction stalwart and Grand Master, has collected some of his fascinating tales that do not require any long introductions. Tales of Majipoor is a treat and a fascinating romp through one of the most developed planets of the imagination.

Human settlers and other aliens were attracted to this world with island continents and red seas. The series succeeds more as a fantasy, but it also has science fiction underpinnings and its own history. There is also the indigenous population which might not have liked what, for them, was a colonization of sorts. Though a fine read for younger readers, Silverberg deals with weighty themes in these tales. There are also all sorts of characters rather than this being another tale about war. There are alien civilizations, magicians, apprentices, criminal investigators, demons, shape changers, leaders, and bandits. The world is also in many ways different from our own. The characters have interesting motivations for a fantasy world that comes alive.