The Dolphins of Pern/Audio Cassettes
by Anne McCaffrey
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Book Summary Information
Author: Anne McCaffreyEdition: Audio Cassette
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Format: Audiobook
Published: 1995-09
ISBN: 1879371812
Number of pages: 9
Publisher: Publishing Mills
Book Reviews of The Dolphins of Pern/Audio Cassettes
Book Review: ...they had remembered to remember...
Summary: 4 Stars
So how do you follow up the fabulous All the Weyrs of Pern (Dragonriders of Pern Series), which told of the concerted, all-out efforts of Weyr, Hold, and Craft to finally, irrevocably eradicate Thread from the planet of Pern? THE DOLPHINS OF PERN is the next novel to catch us up with the folks of the present Pass (the 9th one), and, sucks to say, it just can't live up to the level of excitement, thrills, and just plain dazzle brought about by ALL THE WEYRS OF PERN. It certainly doesn't satisfy as much. But it's not bad, either. It's still written, after all, by one of the all-time storytelling greats in fantasy/science-fiction.
In THE DOLPHINS OF PERN, Anne McCaffrey chronicles the reconnecting of man and dolphin on Pern. As told in Dragonsdawn (Dragonriders of Pern Series), dolphins, genetically enhanced with the gift of speech, had numbered among the original colonists from Earth. In the early days of Pern's settlement, dolphin and man had formed a partnership and had begun to explore and map the oceans of Pern. But then the skies unexpectedly began to rain deadly silvery spores (called Thread), which devoured everything organic in their path.
Instantly, man's progress on Pern is halted, as Earth's descendants find themselves frantically fighting for survival against the onslaught of Thread. Vast chunks of time elapse. Down the centuries, technology falls on the wayside. And mankind forgets the dolphins. What remains are vague but countless myths of sea creatures called "shipfish" who rescue people from a watery grave. But no one really believes these tall tales.
But the dolphins haven't forgotten. And, more than 2500 years later, their unwavering vigil and faithfulness are rewarded, as man at last re-establishes contact with them. THE DOLPHINS OF PERN centers on three characters - Masterfisher Alemi (also Menolly's brother), the youthful and untested dragonrider T'lion, and Readis, the young son of Paradise River Holder Jayge and his wife Aramina. This novel focuses mostly on their momentous encounters with the intelligent, talking dolphins of Perns. The actions of these three people would have wide-ranging repercussions for the seafaring communities, both human and cetacean. Initially, Alemi and T'lion are the predominantly featured characters. Then, somewhere halfway thru the book, Readis, in his teenhood, takes over as the central figure.
But, as per usual, McCaffrey affectionately finds spots to guest star several of her most beloved characters. There are welcome sightings of Menolly, Masterharper Robinton, Jaxom & the white dragon Ruth, F'lar and Lessa, and even of Aivas. And, if you're a fan of Jayge and Aramina from The Renegades of Pern (Dragonriders of Pern Series) (I'm not), well, they're here, too. Be warned, however, that Aramina comes off as unlikeable here. THE DOLPHINS OF PERN at first runs concurrent with the historic events in ALL THE WEYRS OF PERN, but then eventually moves three years beyond. So, for those who've wondered at the immediate impact of the Aivas years, this book does the job. In fact, one benefit of the overlapping of stories is that we get to see the stunned reactions of the Paradise River residents toward a tragedy which happens in the final pages of ALL THE WEYRS OF PERN.
There's also an annoying subplot involving Lord Toric, a recurring character throughout the Pern series who forever is conniving up ways to snap up more land and more power. Here, he's up to his old tricks and the Dragonriders of Pern have to once again stomp on him good and hard. Betcha Toric doesn't learn his lesson...
THE DOLPHINS OF PERN is a good read, and, if you're into dolphins, it's a damn good read. McCaffrey portrays them as intelligent and playful and cute as hell. If these sea creatures don't win you over, then you just may be dead inside. McCaffrey also does well to show the doubts and even dismissal felt by the humans regarding the "shipfish" and their status as a legitimate intelligent life. The telling moment may have been the healer Persellan's cranky conversion as he comes from regarding dolphins as waste-of-time nuisances to finally accepting them as viable patients. It isn't too long before the sea-going folk learn that the dolphins can be summoned via a bell (reviving an old tradition) and thus avail themselves of reports on weather, sea hazards, and the best fishing sites. Dolphins also have sonar, which allows them x-ray capability with which to assist the healer halls. But just as man can now again depend on the dolphins for aid and information, it's a reciprocal deal. The dolphins also have their needs and, thru the same bell, can now also call on man.
The book has a natural, episodic feel. Even though the reader is aware of the all consuming project to rid Pern of Thread, it's a plot that isn't central to the main storyline. So, with regards to the dolphins, there isn't one specific, overwhelming jeopardy to get your juices flowing. There is, however, a monster of a storm which disastrously affects the coasts of Pern and inadvertently puts Readis on a life-changing path.
Anne McCaffrey knows how to entertain you, knows how to warm your heart. The plight of the dolphins and the sheer span with which they've kept faith and went about their duties to man - if that doesn't smack you in your emotional core, well, again, I'm pulling the "dead inside" card. McCaffrey is such a natural storyteller that I ate up even her description of the characters' day-to-day minutiae. The leading characters are ones we're not that familiar with, going into the story. McCaffrey has written of Alemi and little Readis before, although not in great detail. T'lion is a new character. Personally, I found myself liking the unassuming Alemi and T'lion, especially T'lion, whose personal conflicts involve his untested status (he's too young to fight Thread) and his jealous older dragonrider of a brother (T'lion had impressed a bronze, his brother a mere brown). I'm mostly lukewarm towards Readis, who, to me, just isn't that interesting. And, concerning his act of rebellion, Menolly did that first, and a long time ago. However, my favorite new character here is Theresa, who doesn't appear until the book's almost over. But she sure has a presence about her...
Summary of The Dolphins of Pern/Audio Cassettes
When the first humans came to settle the planet Pern, they did not comealone: intelligence-enhanced dolphins also crossed the stars to colonizethe oceans of the new planet while their human partners settled the vastcontinents. But then disaster struck. The deadly silver spores calledThread fell like rain from the sky, and as the human colonists' dreamsof a new, idyllic life shattered into a desperate struggle for survival,the dolphins were forgotten.Now, centuries later, as the dragonriders of Pern were preparing tocomplete the momentous task of ridding their world of Thread forever,T'lion, a young bronze rider, and his friend Readis, son of the LordHolder of Paradise River Hold, made contact with the legendary"shipfish." And as the dragonriders grappled with the ending of an era,T'lion, Readis, and the dolphins faced the start of a new one: revivingthe bond between land and ocean dwellers -- and resurrecting the dreamsof the first colonists of Pern!
"McCaffrey here adds yet another dimension to her colorful and vividsaga by focusing on the attractive dolphins and their highly believablesociety."
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