Sad to learn of the passing of Anne McCaffrey. I recently re-read the original six Dragonrider / Harper Hall books, and re-enjoyed them a lot.
I did not realize that she was the first female recipient of both the Nebula and the Hugo.
A great talent. Thank you, ma'am. #ddtb
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R.I.P. Anne McCaffrey, 1926 – 2011
Reports are coming in that Anne McCaffrey, author of the famous Dragonriders of Pern fantasy series among many other works, has passed away …
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I reread those 6 books about once a year. She will be missed.
@Ellie – It had been quite a while, but I’m glad I reread them lately. I enjoyed them enough to actually toy with finding some of the later works she did in Pern (on her own or in collaboration). It’s on my list.
A few more links:
http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/anne-mccaffrey-has-died_b42826
http://www.tor.com/blogs/2011/11/anne-mccaffrey-in-remembrance
http://www.airlockalpha.com/node/8787/dragonriders-of-pern-author-anne-mccaffrey-dies.html
http://www.locusmag.com/News/2011/11/anne-mccaffrey-1926-2011/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
The omnibus containing the first three Dragonriders of Pern novels was one of the books I got in my introductory package on joining the Science Fiction Book Club back in 1978. She has entertained me for over 33 years, two thirds of my life! I raise my cup of klah in her honor.
Sad to read about her passing. Thanks for the links while I'm out of the news loop.
@Bruce – Another one here, some personal reminiscences by Neil Gaiman: http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2011/11/on-doughnuts-posters-and-remembering.html
Three other students and I interviewed her in March of 1976 (senior year at Pomona). It was absolutely wonderful, and I believe I have some physical correspondence in my files, as well. Until her earlier stroke, she did recognize me (joyously, to my delight) as a fan she knew, if we happened to be at the same convention. The last time I saw her, she asked if I was driving yet, as I had not until 29–and after that age, I never thought to mention it.
I can’t tell you how many different covers & editions of the early Pern books I have in storage. I have her “novels of romantic suspense”, and enjoyed those quite a bit. Her early publications have been comfort-rereads for me.
It felt very strange when I found she’d died. One always hopes for one more meeting, one more book.
@Marina – I never thought of her as an “old” writer. It was quite a shock, when pulling out the first Dragon book for Kay a year or so back to see that it came out in the late 60s.