There are times when a picture can say it better than any words I can write. It was a stormy day here in the Maritimes as the first heavy snowfall of the season played havoc with schools and road. I also discovered that one of my favourite authors on the whole planet passed away two days ago.
I was a gangly 13 year old when I first read the Dragonriders of Pern trilogy and the sub trilogy of Dragon Song, Dragon Singer, Dragon Drums. Somehow, between those pages where Anne McCaffrey wove such intricate and riveting stories, I found hours of solace and comfort during my parents’ divorce, the adjustment to high school and the general trials that all teenagers face. I know I was just one of many readers to long for a world with dragons in it. Like Madeleine L’Engle, Anne’s stories challenged me to keep believing in those unbelievable and magical creatures that the rest of the world tends to want to stuff in a box marked “For Children Only”.
I don’t think I would have loved Fantasy quite as much in a world without McCaffrey’s tales. I know that drawing, designing and creating my own dragons flowed from those early images that her words would paint in my brain as I read each story or dreamed of slipping into that world.
I saw Anne McCaffrey at DragonCon in 2005 when I celebrated my 40th birthday by painting myself green and entering the Costume contest as She-Hulk. While she looked frail, her eyes still sparkled and her son, Todd was ever at her side. His stories set in the world she created will ease the loss I feel today... a loss that is such a pale echo of what he must be going through.
I am sure that dragons and fans are keening around the world right now...
Poor sad green and the fire lizards too! A great Dragon Lady has passed Between, and we all feel the loss that loved her stories, especially on Pern. Thank you Jen for the wonderful picture!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard that Anne McCaffrey had died til I saw your post... I can't believe we have lost such a wonderful lady. I too started reading fantasy books after being introduced to her wonderful stories in the '80's. Her and characters and the fabulous dragons fired up my imagination and created a love of dragons that will never leave me. I so wanted one of those dragons... Jen, your tribute to the Dragonlady of Pern is beautiful. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteShe ranks up there with Marion Zimmer Bradley as one of my favourite authors, even though I haven't read her books in years. I think I'm going to have to read through as many as I can find, again.
ReplyDeleteThough Ms.McCaffrey didn't mention it in her stories, I like to believe her beloved dragons could experience and shed tears as well their human companions. Anyway, she can now finally spend time with old Salth and comfort him.
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