Fairy Tale Spotlight: Djinn, No Chaser [Short Story Review]

[I spoil the main parts of the story.]

"Djinn, No Chaser" is a short science fiction story written by Harlan Ellison. It was published in 1983. It is a very silly story, and I would almost rather call it a comedy story.

A husband and wife are doing some shopping for their new house. Something weird happens and they end up temporarily being transported to an ancient shop that seems to be popping all around time. Inside this shop is a magic lamp that has a djinn inside it. The wife wants it. The husband haggles for it. They end up getting it for real cheap.

The problem here is that the djinn inside the lamp is really just very grumpy and wants to make the lives of this couple complete hell. Even though he has the power to grant their wishes, he is acting more like a curse and just causing awful things to befall them. They can't just get rid of the lamp either. They are only allowed to sell it.

The husband actually goes temporarily mad during all the insanity, but the wife figures out how to make friends with the grumpy djinn. She gives him a can opener. Although it isn't clear why this makes things all right, I can only imagine that the djinn was placed in a lamp full of cans he couldn't open.

Also, is this the missing can opener from "I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream?!" I can't be the only person to ask this question. Maybe Harlon Ellison is just obsessed with can openers. Who knows?!

"Djinn, No Chaser" is a funny story. It has a lot of quick-witted humor, and the comedy beats are solid. As I read it, the story felt really familiar, like I had seen it on TV or something. Apparently it was adapted into an episode of "Tales From the Darkside." I actually don't know if I saw it or not. I might have caught it on TV when I was younger and just sort of remembered aspects of it.

I liked this story, and I do recommend it. It's funny and even cute in a way. Definitely not what I have come to expect from Harlan. He is not normally so silly.

This blog was written on August 28, 2024.

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