Meredith has kindly told me -

It's been a long time since I last read "The Dispossessed," but surely it

was

"Shevek".

Cripes, thanks. I hope you don't mind me posting your correction to the list, as I am the one who has made a mistake. I am certain you are right. I have a very poor memory for names at the best of times. Perhaps I was subconsciously influenced by David's imaginary example.

BTW re 'Vila' didn't somebody tell us it was a word for an elf in some Slavic language? I forget. A female tree spirit?

A