With Morning Comes Mistfall
Encyclopedia
With Morning Comes Mistfall is a science fiction story written by George R. R. Martin
and published by Analog magazine in May 1973. It was the first story by George R. R. Martin
to be nominated for Hugo Award
and Nebula Award
. Recently it was included in published in 2003 GRRM anthology Dreamsongs: A RRetrospective (Volume I) .
comes down from the mountains escaping the daylight, revealing the beauty of the planet. This phenomenon is called Mistfall.
The planet is home to only few people mostly because it is believed that its mist-covered valleys are occupied by wraiths, claimed to have killed a number of humans. Wraiths are also the main things that attract visitors to the place. The only establishment on the planet is a hotel (Castle Cloud) mounted on top of one of the mountains. The castle is visited by Wraith-Hunters, people looking for a thrill, for something unknown, unexplored.
The novel tells a story of the expedition set out to find the proof of Wraith existence or once and for all establish that they are nothing more than a myth. Owner of the only establishment on the planet fears either answer. He clearly doesn't want to have the mystery of Wraiths uncovered.
The main theme of the story is a clash between two views of the world, one very logical, pragmatic, physical, and the other one romantic and spiritual. It shows that not all mysteries need to be uncovered, not all secrets revealed, that unknown is not always bad, that it keeps people searching, asking questions, coming back. What is known for certain, is often taken for granted and then loses attraction.
George R. R. Martin
George Raymond Richard Martin , sometimes referred to as GRRM, is an American author and screenwriter of fantasy, horror, and science fiction. He is best known for A Song of Ice and Fire, his bestselling series of epic fantasy novels that HBO adapted for their dramatic pay-cable series Game of...
and published by Analog magazine in May 1973. It was the first story by George R. R. Martin
George R. R. Martin
George Raymond Richard Martin , sometimes referred to as GRRM, is an American author and screenwriter of fantasy, horror, and science fiction. He is best known for A Song of Ice and Fire, his bestselling series of epic fantasy novels that HBO adapted for their dramatic pay-cable series Game of...
to be nominated for Hugo Award
Hugo Award
The Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
and Nebula Award
Nebula Award
The Nebula Award is given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America , for the best science fiction/fantasy fiction published in the United States during the previous year...
. Recently it was included in published in 2003 GRRM anthology Dreamsongs: A RRetrospective (Volume I) .
Plot summary
The story takes place on a barely habitable planet (Wraithworld) with unusual weather conditions. Each morning in a wonderful phenomenon the mistMist
Mist is a phenomenon of small droplets suspended in air. It can occur as part of natural weather or volcanic activity, and is common in cold air above warmer water, in exhaled air in the cold, and in a steam room of a sauna. It can also be created artificially with aerosol canisters if the...
comes down from the mountains escaping the daylight, revealing the beauty of the planet. This phenomenon is called Mistfall.
The planet is home to only few people mostly because it is believed that its mist-covered valleys are occupied by wraiths, claimed to have killed a number of humans. Wraiths are also the main things that attract visitors to the place. The only establishment on the planet is a hotel (Castle Cloud) mounted on top of one of the mountains. The castle is visited by Wraith-Hunters, people looking for a thrill, for something unknown, unexplored.
The novel tells a story of the expedition set out to find the proof of Wraith existence or once and for all establish that they are nothing more than a myth. Owner of the only establishment on the planet fears either answer. He clearly doesn't want to have the mystery of Wraiths uncovered.
The main theme of the story is a clash between two views of the world, one very logical, pragmatic, physical, and the other one romantic and spiritual. It shows that not all mysteries need to be uncovered, not all secrets revealed, that unknown is not always bad, that it keeps people searching, asking questions, coming back. What is known for certain, is often taken for granted and then loses attraction.