Henry Kuttner

Today, April 7, is the birthday of one of my favorite writers, Henry Kuttner (1915-1958). For today’s post, I’ve inadvertently broken my informal rule about only reviewing works that are easily available.Today’s post is a review of “Wet Magic”. It had been a number of years since I read the story, and most of the details had faded from my memory.

I  knew I had at least three copies of it. The original issue of Unknown Worlds (February 1943), an electronic copy of that same issue, and a copy in Echoes of Valor, edited by Karl Edward Wagner. It was in the latter where I had originally read it, and that was where I reread it. Then I went to find where else the story had been reprinted.

It hasn’t been. I was a little surprised, because “Wet Magic” is an excellent story. Kuttner had a dry sense of humor, and it shows here. John W. Campbell, Jr. wanted much of the fantasy he published in Unknown Worlds to be set in the modern world and not take itself too seriously. “Wet Magic” was a perfect fit.

“Wet Magic” was published in 1943, and like much of the fantasy and science fiction published in those days, it is concerned with the war, at least to a degree. Arthur Woodley is a an actor who has joined the service and is shot down by the Germans over Wales. He soon encounters a beautiful young woman named Vivienne who is soon professing her undying love for him. She takes him to a castle under a lake.

The mistress of the castle is a lady who goes by the name of Morgan Le Fay. Perhaps you’ve heard of her. She sets Arthur a test, to defeat and kill an monster she has summoned. He tricks someone else into doing it.

Of course, with a name like Arthur, everyone thinks he might be the King returned in England’s hour of greatest need. He’s not so sure. This Arthur just wants to reverse the spell that allows him to breathe water and choke in air so he can go home. He’s not going to make the best of decisions, as you’ve probably figured out.

“Wet Magic” is one of Henry Kuttner’s best stories. It should be more widely available. Hopefully someone will reprint is soon. Stephen Haffner, are you listening?

Until that happens, though, if you want to read this story, you’ll need to either get a copy of the original pulp or get your hands on a copy of Echoes of Valor. You need a set of those anthologies for your library if you don’t have one already. (And no, I’m not parting with my copies.)  Wagner admired Kuttner’s heroic fantasy work, and he reprinted the Prince Raynor stories in Echoes of Valor III.