Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey
10 January 2013 
This month I’m taking part in a group readalong of Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey hosted by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings. Today is the first of two parts of discussion. This first reading took us to the end of Part II and for those of you who haven’t read the book before be warned that spoilers be contained within.
The questions follow:
1. I have hosted SFF-related group reads for books by Asimov, Herbert, Sanderson and Gaiman. This is our first group read by a female author. What are your thoughts on McCaffrey’s handling of the male and female characters in Dragonflight? Feel free to compare and contrast male and female characters and/or discuss various male and female characters in relations to others in the book of the same sex.
Well, I have mixed feelings about this. Initially I was really surprised because the stereotypes were so blatant. For example, on the Search, F’lar’s thoughts and feelings about the women, felt like he was looking over them like nothing more than cattle and to a certain extent some of that attitude seems to remain throughout the following chapters. I could have slapped him and F’nor about the hands and face carrying on with themselves about ‘we should have taken the pretty one!’ And these are the good guys (I think). And yet I wonder to an extent if this is to really get over the sense of the way people really behaved on Pern at that time (which, come on, is quite old fashioned) and then to really highlight how different Lessa really is? I could of course just be projecting my own hopes onto the author here!! I suppose if you really think about it this book was written some time ago when attitudes and expectations were different so you have to be a bit realistic about what you expect. For example, Asimov’s Foundation – in the third book the couple (apologies, the names escape me!) I remember one scene where the bloke is going shopping and I strongly suspect that this was meant as really almost innovational at the time. Just a little example.
2. F’Lar and Lessa are an interesting pair of protagonists. What do you like and/or dislike about their interactions thus far? What things stand out for you as particularly engaging about each character (if anything)?
Well, like above, I have mixed feelings. I’m like Gollum. I likes them and I hates them. I think I’ll probably like them a lot more as things progress. I mean, firstly, they have this total lack of communication where you want to just say ‘talk to each other already’! Secondly, they’re both so goddam proud it gets on your last nerve. I really liked Lessa in that she had a terrible childhood but managed to survive and also to come up with a plan to regain what she thought was hers. I like that she stands up for herself. But then she infuriates me by being so infantile – having said that she’s probably not had the best role models to look up to so I guess you can forgive her for that, she probably is still quite immature. Then you have F’lar. Yes, he’s arrogant. I certainly don’t think he’s helped Lessa to fit in. He went on his search and wanted to find someone with a bit more humph and then when he does find someone like that he tries to quell it at every opportunity. But then conversely I like the way they get on each others nerves! I must admit that when Lessa first arrived back at the Weyr and went to bathe I had this insane thought for a moment that when she’d finished cleaning herself up and stepped out to F’lar he’d be all bowled over! A proper Disney moment where the ugly duckling is finally revealed in all it’s swanny splendour and everyone is totally bowled over. I’m VERY glad that didn’t actually happen because it would have been lame and obvious in equal measure. Hopefully there’s going to be more than just fickle skin deepness to them both. I’m sort of thinking that they’ll both become much more to each other than just a pretty face. I want a bit more depth and I think that I’m not going to be disappointed. I couldn’t help wondering about F’nor – who we keep having little mentions about – is this going to be some sort of triangle??? (and not a sparkly spangly vampire in sight)
3. How do you feel about Pern to this point in the story? For those new to Pern, you may want to discuss your speculations/thoughts on the Red Star and on the between here. What are your thoughts on McCaffrey’s world-building?
Well, (yes I’m doing this on purpose), I also had mixed feelings about Pern. I feel like we’ve been given very little information but chucked in and hit the ground running. There’s clearly an expectation that you’ll have a feeling and understanding of the world and what to picture. I don’t really mind that to be honest but in terms of the Red Star and the Between, not to mention the Threads. I’m waiting for the big reveal (maybe there won’t be one). That’s not to say I’m floundering around, I have my own interpretation and I’m quite happy. What I do love about this book is the dragons. I love dragons. In stories that is (pretty sure I’d be pretty terrified if I came face to face with one!) There are lots of dragons in this so that pretty much means I’m very happy. Plus, I love the way that they choose a rider and communicate with each other. I couldn’t help thinking as the story moved on that the dragons are more advanced in some respects than the people. Not to mention pretty clever. I mean, they can all communicate with each other. They choose their rider. They’re then looked after really, fed, pampered (tickled behing the ears!) Not to mention F’lar’s dragon almost has political savvy not to mention an understanding of how F’lar should speak to Lessa! Come on, that’s pretty damn savvy, on top of which wings, flying, breathing fire and other cool things.
4. For those new to Dragonflight, was their anything that particularly surprised you with the narrative choices, etc. thus far? For those who have already read Dragonflight, how do you feel about your return to Pern? What stands out in your revisit?
Mmm, not sure if there was any particular surprises so far. I like the way the story is narrated. It probably sounds that I’ve had criticisms from the above answers but that’s not really the case. These are almost fleeting thoughts, quite insubstantial. I’m enjoying this and looking forward to what comes next. I have a strong suspicion that the first half has lulled us into a false sense of security.
5. Discuss anything else that you feel passionate to discuss that wasn’t included in your responses to the above questions.
I’m really puzzled about the science fiction element to the book and I can’t wait to see how that unfolds. Looking forward very much to the next half.
Books and travelling with Lynn 
I do think there is something to be said about these attitudes showing some of the decay of society on Pern and how they have lost so much knowledge of and respect for the old ways and I don’t have any problem with presuming that the old ways were more respectful to women. At any rate McCaffrey’s treatment of Lessa shows, to me, that she had a pretty good handle on the type of woman she was wanting to write and wasn’t afraid to be more bold with that character.
Lessa’s immaturity does make sense given the age that she was essentially abandoned when she went into hiding while all of her kin were killed. It would make sense that she doesn’t have all the social graces and niceties that she should. But her and F’lar being at cross purposes when they needn’t be is really frustrating…but it propels the story forward with good tension as well.
I too am glad that F’lar noticed that she cleaned up alright but wasn’t suddenly head over heels smitten with her. He is so very focused on what is admittedly more important than a relationship and I like that McCaffrey wrote him that way. It is a much more mature attitude for a character who wants to be a leader.
Your points about Pern is what I was trying to get across. I’m not floundering either, there is enough context and other things in the story that I don’t feel lost but I also don’t feel that it is serving the story particularly well at this point for the reader to be so entirely in the dark about the Red Star and about the Threads. But we’ll see, maybe I’ll feel completely different after reading the second half of the book.
I love how clever the dragons are and I love that they are keeping it a secret that they can speak with Lessa. They are not pets and I love that McCaffrey wrote them as powerful, sentient beings.
I’m always a bit more tolerant of certain aspects relating to attitudes depending on the era. Pern comes across as quite mediaeval and in that respect, yes, women were treated in a certain way. The only difference really is that in fantasy you know it can be different but that being said this was still early days and probably trying to break new ground. I mean, it’s a bit like reading Pride and Prejudice (to use your own very excellent example) and then railing against the fact that the Bennett’s property was entailed to a male heir. Or reading a Victorian novel and getting all naffed off because the woman often had no ambition above catching a good man and staying at home making preserves. Times have moved on and we expect different now but you have to accept that things weren’t always that way and you can’t rewrite history – it’s not like we have a time machine and can change any of it after all (or do you have one *wiggles eyebrows*)
The dragons really are excellent. I love them. They’re intelligent and, they’re dragons!
Lynn 😀
Exactly! You said that exactly the way that describes how I feel. But I find myself reluctant at times to say stuff like that because of the fact that I’m a white male. It is an easy position for me to have because it doesn’t effect me the same way that it would a female or a person of another race/culture.
I totally agree with you, Lynn. Sometimes political correctness can get a bit too precious and ignore the obvious restrictions of the time period and how it affected how women saw themselves. I hate to see characters that feel very modern written into a historical context!
And I can say that, ’cause I’m a girl! 😀
I am so fascinated to hear other people discussing a challenge with some of the concepts of the world–because now that you mention it, they aren’t really explained! I never had this experience myself…I’m thinking back and I’m nearly certain that I read The Harper Hall Trilogy before I ever picked up Dragonflight, so I already had some familiarity with Thread, Between, and so on. So I didn’t notice if things weren’t explained!
I agree I am so frustrated by F’lar’s constant quelling of Lessa…though I like their sparring. Lessa may not have equal power with him, but at least she can yell back!
And yes…the relationship gets better. 🙂
I quite like the fact that everything isn’t explained. I like to use my own imagination really and I don’t think it’s difficult to imagine the world we have here. So much better than major info dumps.
I do like their sparring and I’m hoping for so much more from them. To have something meaningful. Really looking forward to the next half.
Lynn 😀
I read several of the Pern books as a kid, and I kept going back and forth about whether or not they are scifi or fantasy. Yes, there are solid explanations as time goes on for the Threads and other elements of the story, yet there are dragons. I love that McCaffrey breaks those boundaries and still tells a great story.
Haha! I also enjoy how F’Lar and Lessa continually challenge each other. I think you are very right in that Lessa didn’t have a chance to grow up really, let alone strong positive role models, so in some respects she is still immature.
Sometimes I forget Lessa’s early years, especially when she says something I think is a bit out of order but then I remind myself of what she’s already been through. It’s definitely forged a really strong character. I suppose you could say she’s a diamond in the rough at the moment. She just needs a bit of a polish!
Looking forward to the sci fi element and reading more comments from the people who this is a reread for – it makes it just that bit more interesting that we have a range of first time readers and rereaders. It’s so much more mind provoking to have this interaction.
Lynn 😀
I wanted to do this group read but couldn’t since the library copy is missing. I hope you enjoy it!
I am enjoying it already. I wish you were taking part too 😦 (you need an interlibrary loan! Can you tell I just read Jo Walton Among Others?)
Lynn 😀
I agree the sci fi stuff is not pronounced or in your face.. but you are on a foreign planet with a red planet threatening and “between” is a form of “time travel”.. my first time reading this book was so long ago I don’t remember every feeling things like “the world building isn’t up to par”…I guess I am so character driven I never noticed lol
I actually like that the author is leaving a lot up to the imagination. I think ‘between’ is great – I have a vision of it where the dragons step into this world and then choose where to step out! A bit like all the doors in Monsters Inc.
Lynn 😀
Lynn, it’s so funny that you mentioned F’lar and F’nor talking about the women as if they were cattle and wanting to slap them. I figured Lessa would change their minds and make them pay for that kind of talk quickly enough. 😀 I kept wishing throughout the whole first half of the book that there were more women portrayed as strong characters, not just Lessa. But I will have to wait to the end of the book to see what happens. 🙂
The dragons definitely seem to have more insight than their riders! I’m fascinated by them and hope that McCaffrey explores them further somewhere along the line. And like you, I can’t wait to see what lies ahead.
The dragons are amazing and I love them! I think I was already predisposed to like this for their sake alone. I saw another really good point on somebody else’s blog (it may have been one of your comments). The author has only introduced 3 main female characters so far and yet all have them have been really strong forceful women. Not to mention Less clearly has greatly abilities than the dragon riders – I like the fact that she’s conversing with their dragons unbeknown and I also really like the fact that the dragons are keeping it a secret!
Lynn 😀
I agree with you: it is so difficult to imagine how this book would have been received at the time that it was written. I also like your idea of showing the sexism as a stark contrast to Lessa.
I was also relieved by the lack of insta-love and such mushiness, and I hope that we will see Lessa and F’Lar grow to become true partners in a much more realistic way. It will be fun to see them clash and fight, but they should smooth off each other’s rough edges in time.
The dragons are really awesome, although I always have trouble with them having “multi-faceted” eyes, which just doesn’t seem correct to my biologist side! If you like these dragons you might want to try Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series, although they are part military history, so that might not be your taste. That has dragons that can speak out loud, so they get to interact with regular people as well as those who are used to them . . . which can be hilarious . . . and they love pretty, glittery things! 😀
OMG talking dragons that love glittery things!! bring that on!!
I think the author’s done an excellent job so far with Less and F’Lar. They’re always sparring and yet it’s obvious that they are attracted to each other. I’m glad that she didn’t rush straight into it though, I like the anticipation and I hate that instant attraction thing that is so popular at the moment in so many novels.
Lynn 😀