The Right to Arm Bears
 | |
| Author | Gordon R. Dickson |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Richard Martin |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Baen Books |
Publication date | December 2000 |
| Media type | Print (paperback) |
| Pages | 431 pp (paperback edition) |
| ISBN | 0-671-31959-0 (paperback edition) |
| OCLC | 45431591 |
The Right to Arm Bears is a collection of Gordon R. Dickson's three science fiction novellas that occur on the planet Dilbia, where humans and an alien race known as Hemnoids are trying to win the support of the native bear-like population.
Plot summary
The planet Dilbia is in a vital spot for both human and Hemnoid space travel. Both are trying to persuade the Dilbians to work with them to use the planet as a way station.
- Spacial Delivery (Originally published in 1961)
In the first story, a biologist is drafted into the diplomatic corps to aid the human ambassador to Dilbia. He sends John Tardy (Half-Pint Posted) to hunt down a Dilbian, the Streamside Terror, who has kidnapped Ty Lamorc (Greasy Face), another human. While being delivered by stalwart Dilbian postman Hill Bluffer, Tardy learns more of the situation, and is attacked and eventually captured by Boy Is She Built (Streamside Terror's girlfriend) and the Hemnoid Tark-ay. Tardy gets free, and learns that things aren't quite as they seem on the planet or with the situation. As he solves the dilemma of rescuing Lamorc, he gains a victory for humanity over the Hemnoids, and a deeper insight into the Dilbians for humanity's future dealings.
- Spacepaw (Originally published in 1969)
Bill Waltham is a terraforming specialist sent to Muddy Nose village on Dilbia to teach the natives to use basic farming tools. When he arrives, the agricultural group leader and assistant are missing. The assistant, Anita Lyme, has been kidnapped by a local group of bandits led by Bone Breaker. Hill Bluffer returns as a freelance consultant to help Bill (Pick-and-Shovel) continue the Shorty tradition of overcoming tough Dilbian customers. The outlaws are holed up in a valley, and Bill discovers, upon visiting, that Anita is a "guest". The whole story is a plan by Bone Breaker to get beaten by a human, but not lose face, so that he can retire from being an outlaw.
- The Law-Twister Shorty (Originally published in 1971)
High school student Malcolm O'Keefe is sent in to avoid a diplomatic incident as Gentle Maiden attempts to adopt some stranded human tourists. Village law allows her to do this, and Malcolm must defeat Iron Bender in order to have them released. Instead, he is able to make new laws by moving the Stone of the Mighty Grappler.
Characters in "The Right to Arm Bears"
Humans:
- Right Honorable Joshua Guy (Little Bite) - Ambassador Plenipotentiary to Dilbia
- John Tardy (Half-Pint Posted) - Drafted assistant to Ambassador Guy, xenobiologist and former Decathlete
- Ty Lamorc (Greasy Face) - Assistant to Ambassador Guy
- Bill Waltham (Pick-and-Shovel) – Newly arrived Agricultural Resident trainee assistant, trained terraformer
- Anita Lyme (Dirty Teeth) - Agricultural Resident trainee assistant
- Malcolm O’Keefe (Mighty Law-Twister) – High school graduate
Dilbians:
- Hill Bluffer - Postman
- One Man – Innkeeper and local legend
- Boy Is She Built – Girlfriend to Streamside Terror
- Streamside Terror – Abducted Ty Lamorc
- Sweet Thing – Wants Bone Breaker to marry her and settle down
- Bone Breaker – Outlaw leader
- More Jam – Innkeeper, retired wrestler, Sweet Thing’s father
- Thing-or-Two – Wife of Tin Ear
- Perfectly Delightful - Sweet Thing’s rival
- Iron Bender – Gentle Maiden’s protector
- One Punch – Candidate for Grandfather of Clan Water Gap
- Gentle Maiden – Adoptive parent of human tourists
Major themes
- The major theme of each story is manipulation. The human authorities manipulate the protagonist, the Dilbians manipulate the humans, the humans manipulate the Hemnoids and try to manipulate the Dilbians, the women manipulate the men, the men manipulate the women, and the elders Dilbians manipulate the younger generation.
- All groups are trying to use the others for their own purposes, with the Dilbians always coming out ahead.
- The hero in each story usually catches onto the human deception, but does not understand the Dilbian manipulation until the denouement.
Trivia
Each human receives a Dilbian nickname, usually derived from a defining characteristic.
One of the books mentioned on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon as part of his inaugural "Don't Read This Summer" list.
Release details
- 2000, U.S., Baen ISBN 0-671-31959-0, Pub date December 2000, Paperback
External links
- Official site & six chapters from the first novella
- The Right to Arm Bears title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- Dilbia series listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database