Customer Reviews

The Dolphins of Pern (Dragonriders of Pern Series)

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

"The Dolphins of Pern" is one in author Anne McCaffrey's series of novels that take place on Pern: a world where the descendants of human colonists live together with huge, winged creatures called "dragons." The dragons of Pern have some similarities to the mythical creatures of ancient Earth, but McCaffrey throws in some science fiction twists. "Dolphins," as the title suggests, adds a new element to the culture and history of Pern.

As McCaffrey explains in the book's prologue, the spacefaring humans who first settled Pern brought with them dolphins who had been endowed with the ability to speak human language. But over the course of time, the hostile environment of Pern caused the dolphin and human communities to gradually lose touch with each other. This book is the story of the attempts to rediscover and reestablish the ancient ties between the two species.

To the cynical, the concept of this book might seem like a "gimmick" to bring a new element to the Pern series. But believe me, "Dolphins" is no gimmick: this is one of the best in the entire series. McCaffrey creates a rich and moving portrait of the dolphin community -- a community with a compelling culture and history. This is also a beautiful "coming of age" story that focuses on Readis, a boy of Pern who has a remarkable bond to the dolphins. McCaffrey superbly weaves the dolphins' history and Readis' very personal story into the epic story of Pern's humans and dragons. I recommend this book to both Pern fans as well as to newcomers to the series.

I love the Pern books! Ever since I was a young girl in school and found Dragonsong in the 1970's.
I really enjoyed this book I love how Anne is filling in the gaps for us about folks from other books like Jayge, Aramina and Readis as well a the Dolphins from Dragonsdawn.
But here is what I think would help folks a lot in their enjoyment of this book and some of the other books.
I think some of these later books don't work as well on their own because they truely aren't stand alone novels like Dragonflight, Dragonquest etc.. You absolutly HAVE to have read Renegades of Pern, All the Weyrs of Pern and Drangonsdawn for this book to make sense to you!
I think it would be a smart decision to integrate this book and possibly some of the other later books into the novels they companion.
Take Dolphins for example: I think the plot would have been better recieved had it been combined with "All the Weyrs", yes it would have added another subplot but they also could have eliminated all the parellel "All the Weyrs" plot synopsis. And it would have prevented any major errors such as the Lord Holder death issue someone mentions here. I have to check my books at home I don't know if that reveiwer is correct or not.
The timeline jumps around but I have no problem with that it happened in Dragonsdawn and other Pern books so what's the big deal?
In the end I enjoyed this book but I believe it would have been better received as part of the "All the Weyrs" story than a separate novel.

. . . but certainly not the best of the Pern series.

The concept of dolphins who could communicate with humans was introduced in "Dragonsdawn" and the notion of seemingly intelligent "shipfish" have been seen in several Pern stories.

Now, in "The Dolphins of Pern", the relationship between humans, dragons, and dolphins on Pern is re-established. The book could be viewed as a sequel to "The Renegades of Pern", as much of the action surrounds Jayge, his wife Aramina (the girl who heard dragons) and their son Readis. The book also runs concurrent with many of the events in "All the Weyrs of Pern".

Why only three stars? Because, frankly, the character development is, frankly, unbelievable. Jayge, Aramina, and Readis have all, at different times, been rescued from probable death by dolphins. Readis -- probably twice. Why then are his parents (especially his mother) so against the boy's interest in them? This seems forced to me. (Especially since most of the rest of the Pernese leadership -- including persons whom Jayge and Aramina greatly respect -- and owe much to -- are inclined to permit Readis to pursue his interest to the benefit of all Pern?

Also, once the Oldtimers, the Renegades, the Red Star, etc. have all been dealt with, where do we go for a villain? We've got to invent one, of course! Toric, now Lord Toric of Southern Hold -- who has in other novels been a character on the fringe of trouble -- is now the new designated "bad guy".

Overall, the story seemed too contrived. NOT the best book in the series -- NOT by a long way.

I have to agree with several of the reviews that noted how Anne McCaffrey's later works about Pern seem to have lost something that she did so well in her earlier ones. I am a loyal McCaffrey fan, so please don't take this as some kind of "Anne-bashing"--but, The Dolphins of Pern just wasn't up to par with the first two trilogies. While the concept of the friendly, talking dolphins is appealing, the storyline goes all over the place, jumping over years in Readis' and other characters' lives, losing focus and generally feeling less like a plot than an ongoing report on the amazing new dolphins. I hope Anne isn't just writing in response to pressures from fans and her publisher, but I have a bad feeling that she became bored with Pern years ago. Read this book only if you are a Pern fanatic.

This is an interesting part of the Pern series that focuses mainly on the Dolphins of Pern. The Dolphins are an important part of the history of Pern. The Humans and Dolphins lost touch along the way. Now the old bonds are being reforged. However, not everyone treats the dolphin's with the respect they deserve. Hardly anyone does in fact. Most view them as having less value than dragons, and certainly less than humans. Even though the dolphin's intelligence is equal to human's. But one young man does not feel this way. In fact he is willing to risk everything (including his overprotective mother's rage) to be with the dolphins. This is mainly their tale.

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...

The "shipfish" are the dolphins of pern and they once helped they once accompanied the earlierest settlers of pern. Altough he child (Readis) who is not understood by his parents is reminiscent of Menolly's story, there's so much to like. I just wish there was more about the dolphins and less about Readis. Pern also has changed a lot in this book and what I think made Pern interesting is how people interacted and were dependant upon each other though the re-discovery of the dolphins and the events that take place after-ward will keep your eyes glued to the page.

Child wants to follow dream, is stifled by overbearing parent, has a serious injury, runs away from home, finds a cave, meets up with critters. Sound familiar? Sounds exactly like the plot of Dragon Song doesn't it. I was very disappointed. I love this series of books and the world of Pern, but I recommend you save your money and not purchase this book.

Dolphins of Pern was a very enjoyable read. All the favorite people are back and again you are transported to the beautiful Pern. This is a good bridging book in that is picks up right after Renegades, and then parallels All the Weyrs of Pern and then goes on a bit farther.

I had only two problems with this book. One was Aramina. How did she go from being the poor abused lovely heroine in Renegades to being the shrewish "female-Janus" in Dolphins? Did she go and take lessons from Menolly's parents on how to be an evil person?

My other problem was the feeling that on page 360, Anne must have looked up at her clock, realized what time it was and decided to get the book done with NOW! The last few pages read like "and all the people had a change of heart, and all dreams come true, and everyone joins together in a happy party and everyone lives happily ever after."

Personally I feel that it would have been better to have ended the book when Readis walked out. Anne could then have picked up the story in another book and given some more details instead of the way it was hurried over in the last few pages.

I would have loved to have given this all five stars. but the ending was so rushed and glossed over that I can only give it four.

Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series has always been one of my favorites. But this is no Dragonflight! The Dolphins of Pern is by far the worst Dragonrider book, with some of the least appealing characters. If I read about that kid Readis whining one more time I may just rip the book up. HOWEVER, this book does provide more insight into Pernese history (ie the dolphins), and some parts were quite enjoyable. But if you are new to the series, start with Dragonflight or Dragonsong--this will have no relevance to you if you have not read others of the series