Anne McCaffrey, famed 'Dragon Riders of Pern' Author Dead after Massive Stroke

Anne McCaffrey, famed ‘Dragon Riders of Pern’ Author Dead after Massive Stroke

Books • November 2011 • Views: 5,199

Anne McCaffrey, author of the Dragon Riders Of Pern science fiction series died last after a stroke in her home in Ireland

Anne McCaffrey wrote many science fiction novels such as Decision at Doona and Crystal Singer, but was best known for the Dragon Riders books set on a far future world called Pern that had been colonized by human explorers who cohabited with intelligent, fire breathing dragons.

I first discovered her best selling The White Dragon as a teen and it remains one of the most joyous reading experiences of my life. Her Harper’s Trilogy, also set on Pern, influenced me towards playing the harp as an adult.

Last night, Anne walked the tables, and the dragons are keening at her passing.

We miss you, Anne.

Ar dheis De’ go raibh a h-anam

Anne McCaffrey RIP

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10 comments

SanFranciscoZionist Wed, Nov 23, 2011 9:55:05am

I loved the Menolly trilogy so much as a middle-schooler.

I always thought McCaffrey must be a very nice lady. She provided really kind and enthusiastic cover blurbs for so many young sci-fi and fantasy authors.

She'll be missed. A great deal.

gummitch Wed, Nov 23, 2011 12:06:36pm

I got a shoulder massage from Anne McCaffrey years ago. She was in town for autograph parties and there was a small party of local sf writers and hangers-on (me). She was just about the nicest, most laid-back person imaginable. The autograph sessions featured lines that ran well around the block, filled with people clutching stuffed, carved, and molded dragons they brought as gifts. She was absolutely gracious to everyone of those of fans and accepted each gift. I enjoyed all of her early dragon stories, including the juveniles, but haven't read anything of hers for decades. SanFranciscoZionist, you were spot on: a very nice lady.

William Barnett-Lewis Wed, Nov 23, 2011 1:12:45pm

"The Ship Who Sang". Marvelous book on a day spent home sick in bed when I was 9 or 10 or so, I'll always think of her that way. RIP.

darkagegirl Wed, Nov 23, 2011 1:27:25pm

I met her at a signing at Toronto's SF/F bookstore, Bakka, when I was... maybe thirteen. As her books had been my first "real" (non-YA) books a few years earlier than that, I was absolutely tongue-tied when it was my turn. My mother, bless her, informed my idol that I "wrote stories", and McCaffrey just smiled at me and said "You keep right on doing that." I think I levitated a few inches off the ground all the way home.

steve_davis Wed, Nov 23, 2011 1:56:42pm

The first three were great. I thought it was really cool when the dragon rider actually briefly had her dragon take her to the planet that was responsible for the red flaming thingies that rained down from time to time. Gosh, it's been probably 30 or 35 years since I read those.

sffilk Wed, Nov 23, 2011 4:55:31pm

My one story about her:

I got to meet her in Ireland, at "The House That Dragons Built." She was more than a gracious host, including offering me a "cuppa" in the presence of her "royal astronomer" and others. She also autographed one copy of the "Masterharper of Pern" CD which I'd gotten autographed by the artists (Opland and Freedman, IIRC) and donated to Interfilk.

She will sorely be missed.

PhillyPretzel Wed, Nov 23, 2011 5:51:23pm

This is a loss to the sci-fi community. Although I read David Weber's Honor Harrington series Ms McCaffrey had reviewed one of the series and and praised it. She will be missed by many people those who have read about the Dragon Riders of Pern and those who have not.

Varek Raith Wed, Nov 23, 2011 6:49:01pm