Mark V. (smallhagrid) - , reviewed A for adversity; F for failure; D for depressing. on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
To start with I want to say that I enjoyed Todd's other Pern contributions, so I thought
I'd really enjoy this one - especially after reading his mother's foreword.
Sadly I could not have been more mistaken.
Seeing that the timeline has been added to and enriched I decided to re-read the entire
series starting with the very first entries according to Pernese historical and
chronological order.
(See here for really good info on this: http://pern.srellim.org/chrono.htm )
When I first read the Pern stories (decades ago) the timeline was far from filled in.
Starting all over was a huge pleasure !
Todd's 2 prior contributions were significant and enjoyable; so naturally I expected yet
another great read.
My mistake. This story is 450 pages long (PB version) and to be totally fair and 100%
honest - about 430 of those pages are filled to the brim with suffering, sadness, pain,
unspeakable losses and depression; it may be the first horror novel of Pern. Yuck.
I literally had to force myself to finish this book - it was just too depressing.
Anne Mccaffrey's Pern is presented as a world eternally in struggle - but also with
huge amounts of compassion and it is clearly written as if with a mother's loving
touch; Todd Mccaffrey's world is NOT the Pern I know and love - it is a world locked
at war, with abundant horror, pain, evil, suffering, and a general bad-temperedness
which his mother's Pern did well without for decades.
If I want war and endless suffering and depression I'd seek entertainment in the TV
news, there's no shortage of that bleakness in this world.
When I visit Pern I want the overshadowing goodness; much the same as visiting Narnia;
yes - there is sadness and loss, but there is also deep and enduring love and goodness.
As a man I can say this:
I think Pern was better off in the hands of a woman - men gravitate towards emotions
which I find unfit for reading if I am seeking an uplifting experience, generally
speaking.
If you'd also like to travel Pern from start to end according to chronology, I'd
suggest reading right through 'Dragon's Fire', then if you'd prefer to avoid all the
depression of this book - just read it's Wikipedia entry, here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonsblood
It is accurate, full of spoilers and sums the entire story up neatly, then just move
on to 'Moreta' and continue enjoying the beauty of Pern.
Happy Travels !
I'd really enjoy this one - especially after reading his mother's foreword.
Sadly I could not have been more mistaken.
Seeing that the timeline has been added to and enriched I decided to re-read the entire
series starting with the very first entries according to Pernese historical and
chronological order.
(See here for really good info on this: http://pern.srellim.org/chrono.htm )
When I first read the Pern stories (decades ago) the timeline was far from filled in.
Starting all over was a huge pleasure !
Todd's 2 prior contributions were significant and enjoyable; so naturally I expected yet
another great read.
My mistake. This story is 450 pages long (PB version) and to be totally fair and 100%
honest - about 430 of those pages are filled to the brim with suffering, sadness, pain,
unspeakable losses and depression; it may be the first horror novel of Pern. Yuck.
I literally had to force myself to finish this book - it was just too depressing.
Anne Mccaffrey's Pern is presented as a world eternally in struggle - but also with
huge amounts of compassion and it is clearly written as if with a mother's loving
touch; Todd Mccaffrey's world is NOT the Pern I know and love - it is a world locked
at war, with abundant horror, pain, evil, suffering, and a general bad-temperedness
which his mother's Pern did well without for decades.
If I want war and endless suffering and depression I'd seek entertainment in the TV
news, there's no shortage of that bleakness in this world.
When I visit Pern I want the overshadowing goodness; much the same as visiting Narnia;
yes - there is sadness and loss, but there is also deep and enduring love and goodness.
As a man I can say this:
I think Pern was better off in the hands of a woman - men gravitate towards emotions
which I find unfit for reading if I am seeking an uplifting experience, generally
speaking.
If you'd also like to travel Pern from start to end according to chronology, I'd
suggest reading right through 'Dragon's Fire', then if you'd prefer to avoid all the
depression of this book - just read it's Wikipedia entry, here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonsblood
It is accurate, full of spoilers and sums the entire story up neatly, then just move
on to 'Moreta' and continue enjoying the beauty of Pern.
Happy Travels !
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