THE SHIP WHO SANG: Amazon.ca: Anne McCaffrey: Books

Product Description

Helva had been born human, but only her brain had been saved and implanted into the titanium body of an intergalactic scout ship. But first she had to choose a human partner, to soar with her through the daring adventures and exhilarating escapades in space. --This text refers to an alternate Mass Market Paperback edition.

About the Author

Anne McCaffrey was one of the world's leading science-fiction writers, and won both the Hugo and Nebula awards as well as the Margaret A. Edwards' Lifetime Achievement Literary Award. Born and raised in the US, although of Irish extraction, she spent the last years of her life in Ireland, in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains. She died in 2011 at the age of eighty-five. She is the creator of the Dragons of Pern series. Her website is www.annemccaffrey.net --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Customer Reviews

23 Reviews

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
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Average Customer Review

4.1 out of 5 stars (23 customer reviews)

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Most helpful customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Anne McCaffrey at her best, Jun 28 2006

By

Ms. H. Sinton "dragondrums" (Ingleby Barwick. U.K.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

Ce commentaire est de: The Ship Who Sang (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the first, and the best, of Anne McCaffre''s Brainship stories. A young woman, Helva was born with terrible physical problems that were incompatible with any kind of independent life. New technology allowed her to be encased in a titanium shell that formed the core of a spaceship, with her brain wired up to the ship, allowing her to use her formidable intellect to act as the craft's central 'computer'. She has become the first of the 'Brainships' and can now have a freedom and independence of sorts, the freedom to travel between the stars accompanied by the pilot who will be her 'Brawn'. Helva proves to have a love of music and an incredible voice to go with it; her constant singing leads to her fame as The Ship Who Sang.

It's hard to believe this book was written so long ago, it has certainly stood the test of time and is as enjoyable now as it has ever been. McCaffrey has introduced the idea of cyborg technology in a way that makes you question the morality of combining man and machine and to think about issues such as euthanasia. She never loses sight of the humanity of this young 'hybrid' however, and Helva's development and growth as a person makes for moving reading. Granted this isn't a heavyweight of literature, don't expect lengthy prose or hard science, and occasionally the book lapses into more of a romance than a sci-fi story, but that aside, this is still a really good read. Keep an open mind and give it a chance, you won't be disappointed.

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4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful McCaffrey book!, May 10 2004

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Susan L. (Birmingham, AL United States) - See all my reviews

Ce commentaire est de: The Ship Who Sang (Mass Market Paperback)

I am a huge Anne McCaffrey fan. I have been putting off reading this book though. I shouldn't have. It was wonderful. I did not realize the book was written in the early 60's. I expected it to be dated in some of its technology. It was not. Anne McCaffrey was way ahead of her time. A light easy read that pulls you into the story of Helva and compels you seek out the following books. A great introduction to Anne McCaffrey that leaves a reader wanting more.

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1.0 out of 5 stars Undeveloped in several areas, Jan 2 2004

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Avid Reader (Franklin, Tn) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Ce commentaire est de: The Ship Who Sang (Mass Market Paperback)

Ok, right off the bat you have a brain separated from its body. How such an organ operates without sensory input is, well, better left to the science fiction writers. Anyway, the brain not only thinks but talks and even sings, with the "voice of an angel". Yes, I know this is a physical impossible without a mouth but hey, this is the space age and anything goes.

While exploring and practicing for the Met, Ms Brain (Helga) suddenly discovers Mr. Right who, unfortunately happens to be a "real" person who is "really" attached to his brain. You'd think with all her great powers she could simply invent the perfect mate and do bad things in cyberland. But she wants the real McCoy and on the way battles a lot of bad guys. What can you say? It's like a combination of the worst of the original Star Treks (gorgeous aliens and cardboard rocks) and one of those "books for the wellbred teenage young lady". Belongs in the Romance Section.

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Very good
I loved this book best, of all A MC's work. You sympathise with the character, you feel what is happening through the powerfully written words, reinforced with the imagery evoked... Lisez davantage

Published on Aug 22 2002 by Kotori

5.0 out of 5 stars A living spaceship with the voice of an angel
This short story collection marks the genesis of the concept of 'brainships' in McCaffrey's Central Worlds universe: infants born so damaged that they cannot survive without life... Lisez davantage

Published on April 7 2002 by Michele L. Worley