Helva has been wrapped in a titanium ‘shell’ since birth, a shell that protects and nurtures her, as her own body is broken and useless. Inserted into a spaceship that becomes her body, she travels the stars with her partnered ‘brawn’, working for the Central Worlds government as a medical ship, trying to pay off the debt she incurred for her upbringing and spaceship body. But Helva is unique amongst Brainships, she is the ship who sings.
This book brings together several short stories about Helva that McCaffrey wrote in the 1960s and a new conclusion (at least, it doesn’t have a separate copyright date on it) that brings closure to her story. Some of the attitudes in the writing, especially in the earlier stories, were a bit odd and of their time (especially attitudes towards disability) but I still enjoyed the book. A major theme in the book is one of loss as Helva mourns for her first brawn, finds ways of coping and eventually gains contentment. This feels well-drawn and organic, happening over a number of years.
