Jirel of Joiry by C. L. Moore
Jirel of Joiry is a fictional character created by C. L. Moore, known for her compelling and adventurous tales blending fantasy and horror. First appearing in the magazine Weird Tales between 1934 and 1939, Jirel is a formidable warrior from the medieval realm of Joiry, who embarks on various quests filled with supernatural elements and emotional depth. The character's stories often explore themes of vengeance, love, and self-discovery as she navigates enchanted landscapes and battles malevolent forces.
The narrative begins with "Black God's Kiss," where Jirel seeks revenge after being insulted by Guillaume, leading her on a journey through a hellish dimension. Subsequent stories, such as "Black God's Shadow" and "Jirel Meets Magic," further depict her struggles against dark deities and vengeful wizards, highlighting her bravery and resilience. Jirel's character is notable for her complexity—she grapples with love and loss while asserting her independence in a fantastical world.
The stories culminate with “Hellsgarde,” where Jirel faces the challenges posed by malevolent entities and treacherous individuals, showcasing her resourcefulness and strength. Collaborating with Henry Kuttner, Moore also connected Jirel's adventures with those of other characters, enriching the narrative universe. Overall, Jirel of Joiry stands as a pioneering figure in the sword and sorcery genre, celebrated for her fierce individuality and rich, imaginative storylines.
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Subject Terms
Jirel of Joiry
First published: 1969
Type of work: Stories
Type of plot: Fantasy—feminist
Time of work: The medieval period
Locale: France and mythical hell
The Plot
The five stories in Jirel of Joiry first appeared in Weird Tales between 1934 and 1939. “Quest of the Starstone” (1937), a story of Jirel not appearing in this volume, is notable as the first collaboration between C. L. Moore and Henry Kuttner, whom she married in 1940.
In “Black God’s Kiss” (1934), when the conquered Jirel is savagely kissed by Guillaume, she attempts to sever his jugular vein but is cuffed into unconsciousness. After awakening in the dungeon of Joiry, she escapes and finds her mentor, Father Gervase. She then attempts to find the perfect weapon to avenge her insult by descending into a spiral tunnel to a hellish land. Only after abandoning her crucifix can she see the strange supernatural dimensions of this netherworld and journey toward the statue of the black god, whose pursed lips inspire her to punish Guillaume as he has ravaged her—with a kiss. When she gives him the weighty kiss that both slays him and enslaves his soul, she realizes that she has killed the only man she will ever love.
The second story, “Black God’s Shadow” (1934), involves Jirels pursuit of Guillaumes soul to free it from the despair and freezing half-life of the black god. Through the same hell, Jirel combats the gods coldness with the warmth of her anger and her love.
The third story, “Jirel Meets Magic” (1935), has Jirel invading another magical landscape to pursue the wizard Giraud to avenge Joirys fallen men. In the enchanted land, she discovers a dying dryad, Irsla, whose life-tree has been cut by the witch Jarisme. Jirel is bequeathed a crystal talisman to defeat Jarisme. Jirel meets the witch in three encounters, once as a disappearing purple-eyed cat reminiscent of the Cheshire Cat. She encounters a series of doors through which she glimpses other worlds and other times. She sees her life and the death of Guillaume replayed. Impelled by rage, Jirel snaps Jarismes spell to return home with the wizard Giraud clutching her ankles. After defeating Girauds magic spell, she fulfills her vow-quest and kills him as much for mocking her as for revenge.
In “The Dark Land” (1936), a wounded Jirel is snatched from death by the devil-lover Pav of Romne to be his bride. The ever-defiant Jirel demands a chance to escape from the forced marriage and to find the gateway back to her world. Instead she accosts the white witch, who tells her that quenching the flame in Pavs crown will defeat him. Jirels rage fuels the blue flames that transform Pav back into the guiding force of the planet itself. In his defeat, however, he grants her life and restores her to Joiry.
Hellsgarde (1939) has Jirel sent by the wicked Guy of Garlot to obtain a box from a perilous castle ruled by Alaric, the hunter of undeath, and his tribe, who feast on the energy that violent ghosts possess. Because Jirel has the unwitting power to summon forth the malevolent ghost Andred for the ghost-eaters, she is given the box as a gift, with the warning not to open it. She plans to give it to Guy as a means of death.
A joint effort with Henry Kuttner resulted in “Quest of the Star Stone” (1937). This story combines Jirels adventures with those of Northwest Smith, the hero from another of Moores series.