In Yana, the Touch of Undying by Michael Shea
"In Yana, the Touch of Undying" is a fantasy novel by Michael Shea that follows the journey of Bramt Hex, a self-important and somewhat lazy student of magic who yearns for adventure beyond his mundane life. The narrative begins with Hex's encounter with Madam Poon, a widow who tasks him with selling a brothel, leading to a series of misadventures and his eventual banishment from his hometown. As Hex grapples with his failures, he becomes captivated by tales of Yana, a land rumored to offer immortality. His obsession with reaching this elusive realm propels him into various dangerous situations, from sea monsters to treacherous companions, as he doggedly pursues his dream.
Despite the numerous perils he faces, Hex remains steadfast, often causing harm to those around him due to his naïve determination. His belief in his own importance drives him forward, even as the path to Yana seems increasingly treacherous and uncertain. Ultimately, Hex learns that the journey to Yana may require him to confront his past and face the consequences of his actions. The novel explores themes of ambition, folly, and the quest for meaning in a fantastical world.
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In Yana, the Touch of Undying
First published: 1985
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Fantasy—magical world
Time of work: Indeterminate, but far distant in time
Locale: A magical world
The Plot
This was Michael Shea’s third fantasy novel, after the rather audacious A Quest for Simbilis (1974) and the award-winning Nifft the Lean (1982). It is the story of Bramt Hex, an overweight, opinionated, vain student of magic who has become tired of his sedentary life and wishes for some excitement.
A chance meeting at an inn brings him into contact with Madam Poon, widow of the crooked merchant Orgle Poon. Hex desires her, more as a social climber than for any sexual gratification. She, in turn, is quite happy to have a man about the place, but he must prove his worth.
Hex is sent to dispose of one of her late husbands properties, a brothel. The episode does not work out well for Hex: The whores rebel, knowing the brothel is being sold to a demon. Hex bungles the negotiations and decides not to stay and witness the ire of Madam Poon. He is now unable to return to his hometown and muses with the idea of traveling the world.
During his earlier negotiations he had learned of the land of Yana, where people can find immortality. He becomes entranced at the possible size of the world, and when he hears of Yana for a second time, he begins to wonder whether he might find it and, once immortal, whether he might journey across the world, writing of his travels. This naïve desire so appeals to Hex that no matter what perils he subsequently faces, he steadfastly pursues the goal of Yana. In fact, Hex increasingly becomes a menace to all who travel with him, for although he succeeds in passing through incident after incident with beginners luck, his companions often meet the most grisly of fates.
Despite Yana always being one step out of reach (and never apparently in the same direction twice), Hex is not prepared to concede defeat. No matter what obstruction he meets, whether that be sea monsters, pirates, killer trees, or anything else the world can throw at him, living or dead, Hex’s belief in his self-importance drives him on relentlessly.
Eventually, despite conflicting sources, Hex comes to believe that he can reach Yana only by venturing forth upon the shoals of the dead. He sets sail in the Necronaut to seek the shores of Yana. It is only when Hex himself yields to this ultimate test that the gates of Yana open, and then his past deeds return to haunt him.