Dragonsinger

Harper Hall Trilogy, Volume 2

By: Anne McCaffrey

Narrated by: Sally Darling

Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Menolly has returned home and entered the Harper Hall. But her entry into the Hall proves the beginning of more troubles, and the Master Harper gives her a difficult time because she is a girl. As Menolly begins to despair, she finds help in the shape of nine bright allies.

Don't miss the other books in the Harper Hall Trilogy.

©1977 Anne McCaffrey (P)1992 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"The transformation of Menolly from a terrified outcast to a woman secure within herself is skillfully handled, making her a sympathetic character with whom many readers will identify." ( School Library Journal)
"A superbly crafted fantasy in the heroic tradition....Unlike many sequels, this maintains the dramatic tensions of its predecessor." ( Horn Book)
"Although set in another world, where dragons fly and people have fire lizards as pets, Menolly's innermost concerns are wholly contemporary." ( Booklist)

A Favorite

Although, I found the publisher summary to be misleading, (as I have read the printed book several times), there is nothing missing out of this reading. Aside from a few word quandaries, this was was a good reading.

A Rare Treat

It is a common thing for me to enjoy just as much now, a book I enjoyed in my youth. But this book I actually enjoyed more than when I first read it and that made for a rare treat. The story was extremely good, building on the first book in the Harper Hall trilogy and the narrator captured the tone of it perfectly. The words flowed naturally from her mouth bringing life to the characters, but more importantly, the fire lizards in it. It is a simple story with only a minor antagonist who appears only occasionally. This story focuses on the the transition of a young girl from a life of oppression to one of support.

Loved it! Great story! Narration was superb!

I loved this story. Menolly is a wonderful example for anyone! The narrator was superb!

Strength

A story of strength and acceptance, both self-acceptance and acceptance from others, we follow Menolly as she figures out who she is and what that means to her.

Do NOT head the Publisher’s Summary!

Master Harper was in No Way unsupportive of the MC because she was “just a girl.” In fact, he was one of her most staunch supporters... so whomever wrote such a thing obviously never read the book they were supposed to be summarizing.
Upon first reading it (prior to reading the book itself), I was quite taken aback, because Robinton had been so kind to Menolly (probably got the spelling wrong) in the last book—and had even been excited to find out that she had been the one to write those songs. Thus, I went into this installment fearing the terrible distortion of one of my favorite characters, and wondering just how the author was going to go about changing his personality so much as to be in opposition to Menolly’s sex. The concept made no sense. And, alas, the author must have agreed, because she had never included such a ridiculous plot point in the first place.

Wonderful book

Excellent part 2 cannot wait to get to part 3 loved hearing the continued story of this great character

A well loved classic.

I enjoyed this book so well, that I read it twice before listening to it.

Always a favorite

I've been reading this book since I was a teenager and it's still a favorite. And the reader does full justice to story and characters.

"Oh, tongue give sound to joy and sing
Of hope and promise on dragon wing!"

One enjoyable listen.

Ms. Sally Darling has made both the Dragonsong and Dragonsinger a most enjoyable listen.

good every time I listen

a comfortable and familiar favorite. I've returned to it many times over the years. I love the Pern series