Decision at Doona--My Comments

[McClance]

I just finished reading Decision at Doona and wanted to share my opinions of it.

Up until a week ago, the only novels that I've read of Anne McCaffrey's since I first picked up one of her books last May (Dragonsong) was the Dragonriders of Pern series. Not including that one short story called "Velvet Fields" which I read earlier this month.

Though, I did plan to read some of her other books when I finished Pern. But, originally, the Pirate Planets/Dinosaur Planet series was the one I decided on next after Pern. So I aqcuired the necessary books with that in mind.

But went to the library the day after I baught the three Pirate Planet books to look for two other books--Dragon Companion and its sequal. I didn't find the sequal, but my eyes did fall upon a small book called Decision at Doona. After much mental debating, I said, "Aw, what the shells" and checked it out.

I decided to read Doona first and started so on the way home.

I quickly found myself as attached to the book as I had found myself when I was first reading Dragonsong. The story feels vaguely like Alan Dean Foster's Nor Crystal Tears. Just a little.

I love the Hrrubans! I love Ken's character and his exchanges with the Codep and Spacedep officials. And I love Todd and his "tail' and the development of his character.

In short, I LOVED it. And I can't wait to get a hold of the other two books. Definitely looks like another series to collect.

[ghyle]

I'll have to hunt up the other books as well, since reading it not too long ago, less than a week, really.

Mind you, I'm also a very strong ailurophile.

[edith]

I brought a copy (finally) a couple of weeks ago.
It's a lovely book.
I like the worries of both races and the differences and similarities between them!

[Brenda]

What really scares me is the references to the "square miles" - the local "square mile" - of the only twelve square miles of open, green, undeveloped land left. ON THE PLANET.

[c_ris]

I think that Crisis on Doona is the best of the Doona series, though.

[McClance]

Originally Posted by Brenda

What really scares me is the references to the "square miles" - the local "square mile" - of the only twelve square miles of open, green, undeveloped land left. ON THE PLANET.

That IS scary. That and the "smile police". I would certainly hate to live on THAT Earth.

[edith]

I suppose it makes the perfect contrast to the almost uninhabited Doona, and gives the reason for the fanatasism behind some of their desires to stay and the enjoymentof their tasks.

[Brenda]

The crowded Aisles and Corridors... people crammed into increasingly smaller spaces...

[granath]

Luckily that Malthusian vision of overcrowding hasn't quite materialized. An increasing proportion of the world's population is using some sort of family planning. The world's population is still increasing at an alarming rate, but the increase has slowed somewhat.

I like Decision and Treaty, but haven't read Crisis.

[McClance]

Last night, I finished reading through all three Doona books. And, WOW! Those three books were amazing! Next to Pern, I would say these are so close a second that they're practically tied.

If I was asked to name my favorite of the three, I would need a long moment to think about the answer.

DAD was outstanding in the ways I mentioned at the offset of this thread--the Human/Hrruban encounter being played out nicely.

COD was magnificent in providing a mystery and suspense that truly kept me reading, the heroes continually discovering pieces after pieces of a massively complex conspiracy that undoubtedly took a lot of effort and planning on the part of Anne and Jody.

TAD suberbly placed the principles of the Human/Hrruban cohabited world to a test. And the pop culture references there made some humorous additions--Goldielocks, Winnie the Pooh, Wizard of Oz.

And, throughout all three books, the relationship between Todd and Hrriss was beautifully developed.

[P'ter]

Originally Posted by Brenda

What really scares me is the references to the "square miles" - the local "square mile" - of the only twelve square miles of open, green, undeveloped land left. ON THE PLANET.

There's a rather malthusian poem called (I think) "We're off to see the rabbit, the very last rabbit there is". Help: Ghyle? Similar feel to it.

[granath]

McClance, for more pop culture references (and names of fans used as characters) you might like to read the Freedom quadrilogy next.

The two Talent series still remain my favorites, though. You can get some of the crowding and claustrophobia from the Pegasus books as well.

[McClance]

Thanks for the suggestions, Granath.

Right now, though, I'm reading Alan Dean Foster's Humanx Commonwealth series. Maybe during a break, I'll check out those other series.

[Menderofillusions]

Originally Posted by Brenda

What really scares me is the references to the "square miles" - the local "square mile" - of the only twelve square miles of open, green, undeveloped land left. ON THE PLANET.

Ditto what is realy sad is that it was that way on both homeworlds.

I loved the whole series. I have children and remember those boundry defining moments. As I was reading the first book, I kept relating to those mother frustations and worries. I kept asking myself about Todd... Hmmm could it be Todd McCaffrey? My question was answered when I bought my first biography by Todd himself.