The Dying Earth is a collection of fantasy short fiction by American writer Jack Vance, published by Hillman in 1950. Vance returned to the setting in 1965 and thereafter, making it the first book in the Dying Earth series. It is retitled Mazirian the Magician in its Vance Integral Edition (2005), after the second of six collected stories. The Internet Speculative Fiction Database calls it a "slightly connected series of stories" but it was ranked number 16 of 33 "All Time Best Fantasy Novels" by Locus in 1987, based on a poll of subscribers. Similarly, it was one of five finalists for the Best Novel "Retro Hugo" in 2001 when the World Science Fiction Society provided 50th anniversary recognition for a publication year without Hugo Awards. Contents All six stories were original to the collection. "Turjan of Miir". The wizard Turjan seeks to create living beings, but his experiments fail. For advice he turns to the wizard Pandelume, who promises him training in return for a magical gem. Turjan steals the gem from a Prince, and with Pandelume's teaching, creates T'sain. "Mazirian the Magician". Mazirian chases T'sain, who aims to trap him and save her lover. "T'sais". T'sais searches Earth for beauty, but finds justice. "Liane the Wayfarer". Liane searches for the heart's desire of a witch, and meets Chun the Unavoidable. "Ulan Dhor". Ulan Dhor is sent on a magical mission to the fabled city of Ampridatvir. "Guyal of Sfere". Guyal's thirst for knowledge draws him to the Museum of Man. Setting The stories are set in a far future Earth when the Sun is nearing the end of its life. The sky ranges from pink to deep blue, lit by a dim red Sun, and strange plants and animals exist. Much of the book is set within the forested country of Ascolais and in the ruined cities covering the landscape. The setting is marked by the presence of ancient ruins and other fragments of decayed civilizations. The human population is shrinking, and most live in structures built long ago, in varying degrees of ruin, squalor, or luxury. Many also make use of technology or magic which was created long ago but which they no longer understand. No distinction is ever made between technology created through science and that created by magic; the line between the two is blurred, and it is implied that the two are ultimately indistinguishable.