Status
Available
Publication
Del Rey (1985), 256 pages
Description
Fiction. Science Fiction. HTML:Helva had been born human, but only her brain had been savedâ??saved to be schooled, programmed, and implanted into the sleek titanium body of an intergalactic scout ship. But first she had to choose a human partnerâ??male or femaleâ??to share her exhilirating excapades in space! Her life was to be rich and rewarding . . . resplendent with daring adventures and endless excitement, beyond the wildest dreams of mere mortals. Gifted with the voice of an angel and being virtually indestructable, Helva XH-834 antipitated a sublime immortality. Then one day she fell
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LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
McCaffrey's one of my favorite authors. She's best known for her Pern books, which starts with Dragonflight, and I'd certainly highly recommend those. So it is not faint praise to say I would rate this particular novel of hers as highly as any of her Pern books.
The Pern stories are often mistaken
And there's where a lot of the pathos and poignancy of these connected stories lie. There is a series of these books regarding "brain" cyborgs, but this is the only one solely written by McCaffrey as far as I know. Of the ones co-written by others, my favorite is The Ship Who Searched by Mercedes Lackey centered on different characters.
The Pern stories are often mistaken
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for fantasy, because they involve dragons, although they're really science fiction despite the trappings. The Ship Who Sang is more classical science fiction--could be even called space opera--but what makes it memorable is the title character, Helva. Born severely handicapped, she was turned into an unusual kind of Cyborg, a "brain"--her "body" is the ship itself which she controls the way we would a limb or breathing. Such ships are paired with ordinary human partners, "brawn"--but ones that can never see Helva face to face--never touch her. And there's where a lot of the pathos and poignancy of these connected stories lie. There is a series of these books regarding "brain" cyborgs, but this is the only one solely written by McCaffrey as far as I know. Of the ones co-written by others, my favorite is The Ship Who Searched by Mercedes Lackey centered on different characters.
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LibraryThing member zjakkelien
This was such typical Anne McCaffrey, that it made me smile. The ship who sang is about a BB ship, or a brain-brawn ship. Helva is severly misformed when she's born. Therefore, her growth is inhibited and placed in a so-called shell, sort of a machine that she can control with her mind. Eventually,
The setup of this book is slightly strange: it consists of 6 chapters that feel like short stories, although they are not self-reliant enough to actually be short stories. Each story is mostly about Helva's relationship with her brawn (when she has one) or other people aboard, against the background of strange and fantastical worlds.
I rather like McCaffrey's writing stile, and although the stories are not brilliant, they are entertaining. Perhaps most importantly, Helva is a dear. I'm definitely going to search for the nect installments...
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her brain is connected to a spaceship. She carries out missions together with her human partner, the brawn. The setup of this book is slightly strange: it consists of 6 chapters that feel like short stories, although they are not self-reliant enough to actually be short stories. Each story is mostly about Helva's relationship with her brawn (when she has one) or other people aboard, against the background of strange and fantastical worlds.
I rather like McCaffrey's writing stile, and although the stories are not brilliant, they are entertaining. Perhaps most importantly, Helva is a dear. I'm definitely going to search for the nect installments...
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LibraryThing member soliloquies
Stylistically I struggled with this book, there was a decent story in there but the phraseology seemed off.
LibraryThing member mamzel
Helva is a ship. Rather, she is the brain part of a ship. Born human but very deformed, she was delegated to service where her brain was attached to and responsible for maneuvering and piloting a space ship. She took various missions assigned to her until she was able to pay herself off and become
There was no main story line through the book although we are given details about several of her missions including one which involved delivering a troup of actors and participating in their production of Romeo and Juliet. Half-way through the book we discover that other ships like her have disappeared and it almost looked like this was the plot of the book. This was resolved quickly and turned out just to be the last episode of her life before given a choice of becoming a free agent or accepting a F.T.L. (faster than light) propulsion system that would allow her to go further than before but also go back into debt.
It took me way too long to get through this book. Since I had abandoned two other books, I was determined to finish this one. Otherwise I would have abandoned this one.
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independent. Along the way she was assigned "brawn", a human that went along with her who complemented her abilities.There was no main story line through the book although we are given details about several of her missions including one which involved delivering a troup of actors and participating in their production of Romeo and Juliet. Half-way through the book we discover that other ships like her have disappeared and it almost looked like this was the plot of the book. This was resolved quickly and turned out just to be the last episode of her life before given a choice of becoming a free agent or accepting a F.T.L. (faster than light) propulsion system that would allow her to go further than before but also go back into debt.
It took me way too long to get through this book. Since I had abandoned two other books, I was determined to finish this one. Otherwise I would have abandoned this one.
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LibraryThing member WorthyWoman
I cannot remember the first time I read this book and this series, but I ENVY Helva! I mean, SERIOUSLY, who would not want to be a BrainShip with a titanium hull?
Oh yes, I recognized the downsides. It "objectivizes people with disabilities," or some such. It is "Gnosticism 101," completely
Anne McCaffery is a novelist, not a theologian. She was one of the first novelists that I read that had a WOMAN with a disability as a first rate Hero. I enjoyed it the first time I've read it, and every time since. When I have graduated, I may make time to read it again.
Oh yes, I recognized the downsides. It "objectivizes people with disabilities," or some such. It is "Gnosticism 101," completely
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separating body and… Spirit? Soul?Anne McCaffery is a novelist, not a theologian. She was one of the first novelists that I read that had a WOMAN with a disability as a first rate Hero. I enjoyed it the first time I've read it, and every time since. When I have graduated, I may make time to read it again.
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LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
Dedicated to her father and originally written in the 1960's this is a series of interlinked stories about a brainship. This later became a series with the help of some other writers but this is the original from which this all originates.
It's an interesting concept. A question not often asked.
As it is a series of stories, rather than a single novel, sometimes it feels like a series of ideas explored rather than a single idea, but it's interesting, McCaffrey explores the relationship between the brawns (the human sidekick) and the brains, what happens when a brawn dies, the stresses on the couple when it doesn't work, how there can be issues when it does and one dies. Brainships can live for a very long time. How mental illness can affect the relationship and how love can make it hard to deal with one of the couple being unable to get physically involved.
I liked this story the first time I read it as a teen, and now I'm older I can see some of the deeper issues she explored that I glossed over. While some of it is dated (some of our current tech is a little more advanced than what's used here) it did stand up well to re-reading.
It's an interesting concept. A question not often asked.
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What would happen to children who were born with congenital abnormalitites in the future. What if there was something that could be done? What if they could be the brain of a ship, or a city? As usual with Anne McCaffrey music plays a role, in this case Helva, our central character, learns how to sing and as her voice is created artificially, can sing in any octave she chooses. As it is a series of stories, rather than a single novel, sometimes it feels like a series of ideas explored rather than a single idea, but it's interesting, McCaffrey explores the relationship between the brawns (the human sidekick) and the brains, what happens when a brawn dies, the stresses on the couple when it doesn't work, how there can be issues when it does and one dies. Brainships can live for a very long time. How mental illness can affect the relationship and how love can make it hard to deal with one of the couple being unable to get physically involved.
I liked this story the first time I read it as a teen, and now I'm older I can see some of the deeper issues she explored that I glossed over. While some of it is dated (some of our current tech is a little more advanced than what's used here) it did stand up well to re-reading.
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LibraryThing member fuzzi
The first few chapters of this book did not encourage me to read the rest, but I hate to give up on any story, especially by an author I generally like...so I persevered and finished it last night. McCaffrey fans may enjoy it. I have no plans to reread or continue the series. Not one of McCaffrey's
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better stories, imo. Show Less
LibraryThing member barbgarcia1987
In 1971 I was given a copy of the book "The Ship Who Sang". That was my first time reading an Anne McCaffrey book. I loved it. I have loved almost all of the Anne McCaffrey books I have since read. When you add the short story "Honeymoon" to the stories printed in this book you get the whole of the
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Helva stories that Ms. McCaffrey wrote as far as I know. Show Less
LibraryThing member Berly
I love McCaffrey's Pern dragon series, but this one didn't quite live up to them. In this book, the time line shifts abruptly and her writing seemed less mature. It was still good mind you, just not great. Set in the future, badly disfigured newborns are saved and then medically altered and fitted
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as the minds to space ships. This story follows Helva XH-834 as she travels the galaxy. At the beginning of the story we meet her brawn, the human partner she falls in love with. Unfortunately, he is dead by page 24 and I just didn't have time to buy the whole soulmate thing. But putting that aside, the adventures are fun and thought-provoking and I loved the chapter of presenting Shakespeare to an alien race. A fun read. Show Less
LibraryThing member tramseyer
I liked it :) (For some reason Firefox doesn't do well with my star ratings).
Watching Helva from birth to beyond was fun. I wish Mrs. McCaffrey would have added more stories, but she ties up the loose ends nicely in the last one, while opening to new flights of the imagination.
If I had to pick
Good book. Looking forward to reading more of AM's books.
Theresa
Watching Helva from birth to beyond was fun. I wish Mrs. McCaffrey would have added more stories, but she ties up the loose ends nicely in the last one, while opening to new flights of the imagination.
If I had to pick
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one, I think the first one is the best, though Helva gets more seasoned as she goes. It's the first time she deals with having a partner and with death, and the latter, while driving her on, also makes her more sympathetic. Good book. Looking forward to reading more of AM's books.
Theresa
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LibraryThing member Andorion
I just love these old-time optimistic science fiction books!
LibraryThing member gilroy
I'm willing to say I am disappointed in this book. I had enjoyed the Crystal Singer series and this felt like it should be a continuation of the same universe. However, the book was more a collection of stories revolving around one character. The last few chapters felt like a continuous story, but
I could understand if this was someone's first taste of Ms McCaffrey's work that they wouldn't be impressed. It wasn't her best work. The concepts were good, though I wish many of the chapters were expanded into books on their own. Many details were sacrificed because of the short story collection concept. Perhaps the next book in the series will yield better results.
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didn't have the full push a book might. I could understand if this was someone's first taste of Ms McCaffrey's work that they wouldn't be impressed. It wasn't her best work. The concepts were good, though I wish many of the chapters were expanded into books on their own. Many details were sacrificed because of the short story collection concept. Perhaps the next book in the series will yield better results.
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LibraryThing member bookbrig
First, the cover is so great. SO GREAT. Secondly, she's a spaceship! This book makes being a spaceship sound pretty fantastic. And apparently, that's all I need in a book to keep me entertained.
LibraryThing member EmScape
In McCaffrey's Brainships universe, children who are born with an immobilizing or other severe disability are raised and educated to be the 'brains' that steer Starships. They are also assigned a "Brawn" to be their companion and assist with activities that can only be done by a person with a
I loved the character of Helva and following her on her journeys around the universe and her growth as a person, what it means to be a ship/person, and search for a true companion/partner. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
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functional body. This is the first book in the series and the only one written by McCaffrey herself, alone. I loved the character of Helva and following her on her journeys around the universe and her growth as a person, what it means to be a ship/person, and search for a true companion/partner. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
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LibraryThing member empress8411
This novel is actually a collection of five short stories, written between 1961 and 1969, strung together into a coherent single narrative. Although slightly choppy to read due to that, it does come together in the end, with each single episode contributing something the ending that matters.
This
As for the story itself, it is excellent speculative fiction. What if the minds of people with severe physical disabilities could be taken from the body and put into computers, or in Helva’s case, into a space ship. How would those very real human emotions withstand a life so outside human experience?
Intriguing, with fast-paced plot, complex characters, and a balance between action and thought, this book is classic sci-fi at its best. At the center is Helva’s search for a true partner, her “Brawn” and what that means to a mind encased in a rocket ship – where walking on a planet is impossible but hurtling through the stars is the norm.
For anyone who enjoy solid sci-fi, this is a must read.
This
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book also begins the series, some written by McCaffrey.As for the story itself, it is excellent speculative fiction. What if the minds of people with severe physical disabilities could be taken from the body and put into computers, or in Helva’s case, into a space ship. How would those very real human emotions withstand a life so outside human experience?
Intriguing, with fast-paced plot, complex characters, and a balance between action and thought, this book is classic sci-fi at its best. At the center is Helva’s search for a true partner, her “Brawn” and what that means to a mind encased in a rocket ship – where walking on a planet is impossible but hurtling through the stars is the norm.
For anyone who enjoy solid sci-fi, this is a must read.
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LibraryThing member Rivendell
The "Ship" series (along with Stephen Donaldson) is remarkable for being speculative fiction which considers disability.
It was written fifty years back, yet McCaffery, by picking up on various themes and threads that are (of course) still alive today, including (although not expressed as such, has
Overall, the series is not her best, but far from her worst.
It was written fifty years back, yet McCaffery, by picking up on various themes and threads that are (of course) still alive today, including (although not expressed as such, has
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minimised the "ouch" factor.Overall, the series is not her best, but far from her worst.
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LibraryThing member zjakkelien
This was such typical Anne McCaffrey, that it made me smile. The ship who sang is about a BB ship, or a brain-brawn ship. Helva is severly misformed when she's born. Therefore, her growth is inhibited and placed in a so-called shell, sort of a machine that she can control with her mind. Eventually,
The setup of this book is slightly strange: it consists of 6 chapters that feel like short stories, although they are not self-reliant enough to actually be short stories. Each story is mostly about Helva's relationship with her brawn (when she has one) or other people aboard, against the background of strange and fantastical worlds.
I rather like McCaffrey's writing stile, and although the stories are not brilliant, they are entertaining. Perhaps most importantly, Helva is a dear. I'm definitely going to search for the nect installments...
Show More
her brain is connected to a spaceship. She carries out missions together with her human partner, the brawn. The setup of this book is slightly strange: it consists of 6 chapters that feel like short stories, although they are not self-reliant enough to actually be short stories. Each story is mostly about Helva's relationship with her brawn (when she has one) or other people aboard, against the background of strange and fantastical worlds.
I rather like McCaffrey's writing stile, and although the stories are not brilliant, they are entertaining. Perhaps most importantly, Helva is a dear. I'm definitely going to search for the nect installments...
Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1969
Physical description
256 p.; 4.2 inches
ISBN
0345334310 / 9780345334312