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Type of bind: Mass Market Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN num: 9780345368959
ISBN number: 0345368959
Label: Del Rey
Manufacturer: Del Rey
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 384
Printing Date: September 27, 1995
Publishing house: Del Rey
Release Date: September 27, 1995
Sale Popularity Level: 59118
Studio: Del Rey
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
The latest adventure in the Dragonriders of Pern series follows the efforts of Pern's human colonists to reestablish contact with the legendary, superintelligent ''shipfish'' they brought with them centuries ago. Reprint. PW. AB.
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Rated by buyers 
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much less for those who are not.
There is a message from the author at the front of the book that states that she "...respectfully suggests that books in the Pern series be read in the order in which they were published....". There are twelve books in the series that precede this one so those new to the series begin with DRAGONFLIGHT not here, the more of the earlier novels a reader has missed the less they will enjoy this one.
This novel covers roughly the same time period as ALL THE WEYRS OF PERN and shares many of the same characters. The original landing site of the colonists has been discovered, including the computer, known as AIVAIS, which has supplied the Pernese with a wealth of information. One of the questions AIVAIS has raised was about the dolphins who had migrated to Pern with the original colonists. Over the intervening 2500 years the two sets of colonists, human and dolphin had lost contact despite the dolphins efforts. Contact was re-established though when a sudden storm caught a sailour and his passenger, the young son and heir to the local hold, by surprise and capsized their small craft. They were rescued by the dolphins, who were delighted to realize that the boy was willing to converse with them. When the boy, Readis, insisted that the dolphins spoke he was generally dismissed as a fanciful child even though the Pernese were quite familiar with human/dragon interaction. Over the years though Readis continued his relationship with the dolphins who came to have a dramatic impact on his life and the life of his planet.
This is a wonderful addition to the Pern saga but it is definitely not a 'stand alone' story. Anyone attempting to begin with this one will be completely lost. Even if certain novels have been missed, or read some time earlier certain points will not make much sense. Part of the attraction of this series is the depth and complexity of the plots and characters. McCaffrey has created an entire new world and society here, one that needs to be savored in it's entirety.
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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 subsequent 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 very 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, ... Read More
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I loved this book. Anne McCaffrey did it again. She is amazing! The dolphins are just as vibrant as her dragons. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the Pern series.
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Another facet of the Pern stories. McCaffrey adds another intelligent species to the dragons. Good read.
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Boy overboard. Luckily, there are a bunch of dolphins around to help the poor wet brat out. Or, shipfish as the localls call them.
The boy makes friends with the beasts, and his ability to communicate with them becomes important in the defence of the planet and in increasing the technological level of the society. Dolphins ain't dumb.
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