Dorsai [Mass Market Paperback]

 

 

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Rating System:
1 star = abysmal; some books deserve to be forgotten
2 star = poor; a total waste of time
3 star = good; worth the effort
4 star = very good; what writing should be
5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with others

STORY: In a universe where the Dorsai are the most feared warriors, Donal Graeme stands out. He stands out because his oddities drive him to seek his future amongst the stars. This book is the story of his journeys.

MY FEEDBACK:
1) This book has the same feel as other classics like Asimov's Foundation series.

2) Gordon creates a great universe here that acts as the backdrop to the various adventures of Donal

3) This story has some elements of Dune in it (especially the ending) but not to the same dramatic suspense as Herbert's masterpiece.

4) I agree with other reviewers that a large part of the suspense was removed because Donal just wins every time. This was fun on the other hand because his solutions were logical and innovative.

5) I'm told this is the first of at least a 12 book series. This story can stand on its own if you don't care to read the rest of them.

6) I didn't leave the book feeling like I cared about any of the characters, even Donal. They either played such detached roles or in Donal's case, the reader has already been fed so many of his victories that there doesn't seem to be much left to strive for or challenge him.

OVERALL: Well written. Engaging. Action kept me going. Solutions to challenges didn't make me feel cheated. Very good read.

This is acclaimed as a masterpiece of military SF but there are better examples in my opinion (both Heinlein's Starship Troopers and Haldeman's Forever War are markedly better) since this really has little to do with the actual mechanics of the military and the gritty life of a soldier as much as how soldiers fit overall in Dickson's Childe Cycle. At this point we're at book four in the cycle and really this seems to have the least to do with any of the other circulating themes (probably because it was written first and then revised retroactively to fit into what Dickson was building) since there's barely any mention of the Final Encyclopedia or the need to merge the Splinter Cultures. However, there is some crossover from Soldier, Ask Not, so at least we get a sense that everyone lives in the same universe. So we have to judge this one on its merit and honestly it's an entertaining novel, Dickson takes his now pretty much worked out universe and goes nuts by throwing Donal Graeme, a Dorsai who is slightly better than the average Dorsai, into the mix, letting him loose and causing all kinds of havok, the reason for which isn't of course clear until near the end. If you're not a fan of Dickson to begin with, this won't change your mind, Donal is perhaps his strongest character but he's still only an inch away from being a cipher and like all of Dickson's other main character he's so good at everything that it just sucks all the suspense right away, the book is a great read, but don't expect any dramatic tension at all . . . alas, this also makes the book a poor cousin of Tactics of Mistake (the main character was his ancestor) which had the same basic setup, guy really good at intuition outthinks everyone else to a ridiculous degree. On the plus side, we finally get to see a Scientist, even if he's not an average example, but at least they get a mention. Dickson also maintains his inability to write convincing female characters, Anea is a step forward and a step backward, she's a strong, opinionated character, it's just that all her opinions are wrong and she spends most of the book making snide judgements about Donal that clearly make her look stupid . . . plus there's hints of romance that never quite seem to cohere. All in all it's a satisfying read, albeit not one without flaws, it's a good example of pulp SF and Dickson's future history remains as fun as ever but it's not quite the masterpiece that many proclaim it to be. Go in with that mindset and you should have no problem at all.

I've read this book five times in the last twenty years, and I already know that I'll be reading it again. I like it so much, that I even buy a new copy every time I read it. I wish Gordon Dickson a very long, happy life for creating Donal, one of the most interesting characters in SF literature. If you want to read one of the true classics of SF literature, read this book. For me, it ranks right up there with Asimov's Foundation series (be sure to read those if you haven't).

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1.0 out of 5 stars Very disappointing
I was unable to enjoy this either as a literary novel or as an adventure novel or as SF. I'd been led to believe that it was some SF military classic, yet it read like a bad pulp... Read more

Published on Sep 15 2001 by R Bell

4.0 out of 5 stars This book kicks...derierre
This book is one of the best finds I've had lately. It really reads quickly, but at the same time, there isn't anything that gets left out. Read more

Published on May 17 2001 by Ben King

5.0 out of 5 stars Gone, but not forgotten
This from an email to me from friend of mine:

I've just read that Gordon R Dickson has died.

He was the author of, among lots of other things, the 'Dorsai' series of... Read more

Published on Feb 3 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars They don't make them like they used to!
This was a great book, one of the earliest written and best military science fiction novel I have had the privelege to read. Read more

Published on Jan 5 2001 by Kat MacDougall

3.0 out of 5 stars Has greater potential
Dorsai is a novel centered around the character Donal Graeme, who happens to be a member of an elite military force known as the Dorsai. Read more

Published on Dec 12 2000 by Jason Moll

2.0 out of 5 stars Pointless
The problem with writing a story about a military genius, is how do you convincing portray such a character without being a military genius yourself. Read more

Published on Oct 26 2000 by Michael D Ward

4.0 out of 5 stars first of the Childe Cycle....
....and an impressive start. Those with outsiderish traits may relate to Donal, the soldier/dreamer who can't understand people, yet understands them too well (as the Exotics are... Read more

Published on Jun 5 2000 by Craig Chalquist, PhD, author o...

4.0 out of 5 stars First Novel of the Childe Cycle
Dorsai is a planet so poor in resources that their only export are soldiers, and the Dorsai are the finest soldiers of the galaxy. Donal Graeme is the finest of the Dorsai. Read more

Published on May 10 2000 by Raymond D. Curry

3.0 out of 5 stars An intro to a clasic series
I read this book back in High School, and loved it. But he years, and much more reading, have changed my impression. Read more

Published on April 28 2000 by Raul S Reyes

4.0 out of 5 stars A woman's review, a word of caution
I have been told that most sci-fi connoisseurs are men. They certaintly seem to write the most popular titles. Read more

Published on Jan 28 2000

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