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Dirge (Founding of the Commonwealth, Bk 2)
by Alan Dean Foster
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Del Rey (2001-05-29)
ISBN: 0345418638
EAN: 9780345418630
Dewy Decimal #: 813.54
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Release Date: 2001-05-29
SKU: BX004-A17
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comments: Clean and shiny. Minor wear, near new. Spine uncreased, pgs crisp, clean, tight, unmarked. No remainder mark.
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Editorial Reviews
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Amazon.com
First, humanity establishes ties with intelligent, extraterrestrial bugs. Some 20 years later, humanity makes first contact with intelligent, extraterrestrial babes. Or so goes the chronology in Alan Dean Foster's Humanx Commonwealth, as detailed in the second book of the Founding of the Commonwealth prequel trilogy. Following up on Phylogenesis, Dirge fleshes out the foundation for the universe that's home to the ever-popular Pip and Flinx, among other Foster favorites. And while it's not exactly Heinlein, Dirge provides essential background for fans of all the Humanx books in typical action-packed Foster style. The space babes in question call themselves the Pitar, and after somewhat stunted relations with the insectoid Thranx (first contacted in Nor Crystal Tears), humanity falls all over itself fawning over this "drop-dead, overpoweringly, stunningly gorgeous"--if strangely reticent--new race. But everything isn't what it seems, of course, or there wouldn't be much of a story here. Not to give anything away, but even the most unobservant reader will soon realize that something's suspicious about these alluring aliens--especially when 600,000 colonists on the otherwise boring outpost of Treetrunk are swiftly, brutally, and mysteriously exterminated. --Paul Hughes
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Product Description
Chosen by Science Fiction Chronicle as One of the Best Books of the Year
Bestselling author Alan Dean Foster has written an exciting Humanx Commonwealth adventure that delves deeper into the fragile early years when humans made first contact in this unforgettable world . . .
In the second half of the twenty-fourth century, diplomatic relations proceed cautiously between thranx and humans. But the insectlike beings are nearly forgotten with the sudden discovery of an ideal planet to colonize–Argus V–and the startling appearance of a new race of space-faring aliens. People are dazzled by the beautiful, glamorous pitar. Then tragedy strikes.
The entire human population on Argus V is brutally slaughtered. Not a single clue remains to identify the unseen executioners. But from a tiny inner moon of Argus V comes a faint signal. On that insignificant chunk of rubble lies the key to the crime–setting in motion a cataclysmic chain of events with deadly consequences for thranx, pitar, and human alike. For their worlds will be changed forever by a colossal battle that is their future and their destiny . . .
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Customer Reviews
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turning point in the commonwealth
Rating  (5)
Date: 2003-03-18
0 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
Twists and Turns....Makes the whole of the Commonwealth make sense. If you are a Flinx or just a Foster Commonwealth fan this book is a must.
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More Thranx, less Pitar please
Rating  (3)
Date: 2002-11-03
2 out of 3 customers found this reveiw helpful
Dirge is Book 2 of the Founding of the Commonwealth (thus the sequel to Phylogenesis). Dirge picks up pretty much where Phylogenesis leaves off, humans and Thranx trying to figure out how to work together to grow their civilizations. I guess Foster wanted to emphasize what a big step it was for the early members of the commonweath to overcome the innate horror one would feel in the presence of the Thranx (who we remember look like big, nice smelling, bugs). In order to empasize the point Foster introduces the Pitar. Humanlike aliens who are by all accounts visually perfect to humans. The humans obsession with the Pitar threatens to delay to continuation of human/Thranx cooperation until as expected it is revealed the the Pitar are evil misanthropes who wish to destroy all life they meet (isn't that always the case?). Needless to say the Thranx help us commit genocide against the Pitar and all ends well. Overall this book was fine, but I wanted to learn more about humans and Thranx and the distraction of the Pitar meant this book really didn't fit into the founding theme. You might want to skip it unless there is another book in the founding series.
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More Thranx, less Pitar please.
Rating (3)
Date: 2002-11-03
0 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
Dirge is Book 2 of the Founding of the Commonwealth (thus the sequel to Phylogenesis). Dirge picks up pretty much where Phylogenesis leaves off, humans and Thranx trying to figure out how to work together to grow their civilizations. I guess Foster wanted to emphasize what a big step it was for the early members of the commonweath to overcome the innate horror one would feel in the presence of the Thranx (who we remember look like big, nice smelling, bugs). In order to empasize the point Foster introduces the Pitar. Humanlike aliens who are by all accounts visually perfect to humans. The humans obsession with the Pitar threatens to delay to continuation of human/Thranx cooperation until as expected it is revealed the the Pitar are evil misanthropes who wish to destroy all life they meet (isn't that always the case?). Needless to say the Thranx help us commit genocide against the Pitar and all ends well. Overall this book was fine, but I wanted to learn more about humans and Thranx and the distraction of the Pitar meant this book really didn't fit into the founding theme. You might want to skip it unless there is another book in the founding series.
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More Thranx, less Pitar please.
Rating (3)
Date: 2002-11-03
0 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
Dirge is Book 2 of the Founding of the Commonwealth (thus the sequel to Phylogenesis). Dirge picks up pretty much where Phylogenesis leaves off, humans and Thranx trying to figure out how to work together to grow their civilizations. I guess Foster wanted to emphasize what a big step it was for the early members of the commonweath to overcome the innate horror one would feel in the presence of the Thranx (who we remember look like big, nice smelling, bugs). In order to empasize the point Foster introduces the Pitar. Humanlike aliens who are by all accounts visually perfect to humans. The humans obsession with the Pitar threatens to delay to continuation of human/Thranx cooperation until as expected it is revealed the the Pitar are evil misanthropes who wish to destroy all life they meet (isn't that always the case?). Needless to say the Thranx help us commit genocide against the Pitar and all ends well. Overall this book was fine, but I wanted to learn more about humans and Thranx and the distraction of the Pitar meant this book really didn't fit into the founding theme. You might want to skip it unless there is another book in the founding series.
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The Founding: Book Two
Rating  (4)
Date: 2002-10-08
5 out of 5 customers found this reveiw helpful
It has been twenty years since the chance meeting of street thug Cheelo Montoya and Thranx poet Desvendapur revealed the bug colony hidden deep within the Amazon Basin, and not much has changed. Contact between the species is still proceeding at a far too reluctant pace for some. Sadly, that pace is further hindered by the arrival of the Pitar, a species of alien that embodies all that humankind aspire to on a physical level (i.e. a planet inhabited by Playgirl and Playboy centerfolds). However the Thranx are rather suspicious of these newly arrived and friendly, yet very secretive, aliens and fear that the humans may pay a price for their blind confidence. And pay the humans do, when 600,000 settlers are wiped out in a brutal surprise attack that has left no trace of the aggressors.ADF's second chapter in the Founding Trilogy is a tight, brisk read. The fallout from the events of the first book is still being dealt with and the Big Picture lessons that humanity needs to learn about its own arrogance and addiction to visually pleasing lifeforms is well delivered, albeit with a heavy hand (600,000!?!). Some reviews mention the rather abbreviated ending, but this book is the second act in a three act play and, while this particular chapter's story could be expanded into a series of its own (yeah, I thought it was THAT good), in this telling it serves only as an important step in the trail that leads to the Founding. Recommended.
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