One of my all time favorites!

The story of Jaxom and his unusual white dragon Ruth is my favorite of the Dragonriders of Pern. I also highly recommend the Harperhall trilogy.

16 people found this helpful

Great Book - Bad Narrator

Narration: Dick Hill, while not the worst is certainly not the best by any means. He range of voices is limited and it sounds like his lips are right up next to the mic so you can hear every little slup or smack as he speaks. I really enjoyed Sally Darlings reading of a few of the books - she had a grandmotherly way about her voice, as if you were listening to Anne McCaffrey reading to you. You get a good example of Dick Hill's reading, slupping and all in the example listen. So have a listen and then thing of hours upon hours of that.

Story - Very nicely written, a classic in every sense of the word. If you haven't read any of the Dragon Riders of Pern books, start with Dragon Flight and skip anything by Todd McCaffrey (Anne's son - he can't write to save his soul).

I am always amazed when reading these books, I seem to pick up new things with each reading. And I do read this series more than listen. Dick Hill was very annoying and I'm not likely to relisten to him.

Have a listen to the Harper Hall Series by Anne McCaffrey - Same world as The White Dragon (and others in the Dragonriders of Pern Series) but with imho a better narrator!

Or start another great series by Anne McCaffrey and pick up "The Rowan" another great listen/book and very good narrator.

15 people found this helpful

My favorite of the Pern Stories

I have read all of the Pern books & Out of all of them Jaxsom and Ruth are the most memorable of them all! Every boy wants a dragon. And this is a story where one boy gets his dream and proves to the world he and his dragon are just as good as the rest.

7 people found this helpful

Best of the Dragonriders series

This is my favorite story from the Dragonriders series and Dick Hill is an able narrator. The world is wonderfully fleshed out and inviting. McCaffrey does an interesting trick with the third book in this trilogy- the main characters from the first two books become supporting characters for the third which allows different aspects of their personalities to come out because you see them from a different point of view. I strongly recommend the first two books in this series, Dragonflight and Dragonquest, as well as the Harperhall trilogy (Dragonsong, Dragonsinger and Dragondrums).

12 people found this helpful

Pern is a must visit

The White Dragon, like the Masterharper of Pern, spans over the same time line as many of the other books combined and is a much listen for all Pern lovers and those who haven't visited Pern yet. From the birth of the white dragon, to the visit to the red star - Pern is a must read for all fantasy lovers.

4 people found this helpful

Entertaining Listen

Clear narration and entertaining listen. One of the better books within the saga.

4 people found this helpful

Good story. Robotic narration.

I've always enjoyed this particular story. It's an interesting character and it adds a lot to the world of turn. It's worth a listen if you're a fan of the series. The only drawback is the consistently robotic narration. It's very flat and monotone. Literally every emotion in this story is stripped away with this narration. It's like listening to a Kindle screen reader.

3 people found this helpful

Does the author have input on who and how?

What didn’t you like about Dick Hill’s performance?

The names mostly. Dick, you done alright. Some things set my teeth on edge. Fandarels voice for instance. Some pronunciations, but I know in a fantasy novel the unfamiliar places and names are open for interpretation. But I just listened to Mel read "all the Weyrs" and compared to his excremental reading, you are a masterharper.

Any additional comments?

I've always been curious. Does anybody involved in the production of an audiobook consult with the author on pronunciation and other grey areas? A stress on the wrong word in a sentence can significantly alter it's meaning, destroying the point the author was trying to make. I've heard it often. Yes, in this series too (sorry Dick). Does the author get final say before release? I picture her with a headset on and a note pad in her lap. Later, a call to the studio. "That"s great, but if you could call the performer in for one more sitting, I have some changes I'd like to make." Well, if that were the case, I would have no reason to wonder. I just want to see a little more professionalism, a little more effort, a little more quality. Hell, if i can hear what Anne was trying to say, despite the way it was said, so can any professional in a soundbooth. Read the book before you start. Not just the performer, but all involved. If you want some help, I'm available

Oh yeah, What the hell was that distracting background noise? It sounds like you did this in a busy office building with other conversations going on ten feet away from the mic. Does this amateurish garbage NOT get noticed before being released? I'd be embarrassed to put my name on something a 9th grader could do better. All through the book, some garbled conversation from the background distracting me. Why does nobody care about quality anymore?

7 people found this helpful

Love those Dragon Riders!

Would you listen to The White Dragon again? Why?

I would listen to this book over & over again. I've read it already at least 3 times, And I seldom re-read any book no matter how much I enjoy it. But Pern..... I enjoy visiting there often.

What did you like best about this story?

Ruth & Jaxom: their relationship & how smart Ruth is!

Which scene was your favorite?

Jaxom & Ruth's returning Ramoth's Queen Egg!!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The White Dragon: Dragonriders of Pern.
I wouldn't change a thing & keep it true the words of our dear Anne McCaffrey.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the narration by Dick Hill. He has a good wide range of voices for all the characters.

3 people found this helpful

White Dragon

This is one of my favorites. My name is Ruth as well as the dragons. I can honestly see parallels in my own life growing up. Not that I think I’m a Dragon—just that I can honestly feel the power of flight. A.M really makes you feel that you are there actually flying. I must have a great imagination, or the authors descriptions are so real you can actually fall into the book and thus it becomes a confusion of thoughts. I think those experiences are my own. I look back and the memories I have are the part of two different places and thoughts. That takes a real Pro. Still a good job.

2 people found this helpful