The Unyielding Heroine

Anne McCaffrey's tales often center around spirited young women, a fact that greatly enhances her appeal to readers. In her novel Dragonflight (1968), Lessa embodies everything a young female reader might aspire to be. Lessa is not only astute and self-reliant but also possesses a formidable strength that allows her to outwit a tenacious warlord for many years without any assistance. Although McCaffrey subtly suggests Lessa might have "esper powers," she chooses not to elaborate on them further. Upon forming a profound connection with the majestic queen dragon Ramoth and developing a deep bond with F'lar, Lessa finds herself instrumental in steering a world towards its redemption. Despite F'lar's prominent role in the political sphere of the planet, it is Lessa's sharp insight, urgency, cunning, and ultimately, her decisive move of venturing into Pern's past to summon the Weyrs, that proves pivotal in rallying Pern's defenses just in the nick of time.

Crafting Characters

McCaffrey demonstrates her prowess in creating authentic characters of any gender, yet her male characters, with the notable exception of Masterharper Robinton, often lack the depth of her female creations, especially in Dragonflight and Dragonquest (1971). These male figures frequently fall into archetypes: Meron is depicted as slim and covetous; Mastersmith Fandarel and Craftmaster Shonegar are portrayed as large, boisterous, and unexpectedly intriguing; while F'lar, his brother F'nor, and Robinton's apprentices are charming, clever, and personable.