Dragonsinger: Harper Hall Trilogy, Volume 2

Yay for the Kindle which allows me to download (and keep) old favorites. McCaffrey's Dragonsong and Dragonsinger are in that group. While I loved the Pern novels as a kid, for the most part now, I'm too irritated by what didn't really register as a kid: the strong sexist tones that ran throughout. The early books in these series were written in the 1970s and luckily we've moved on a lot since that time.The "Menolly" books though, have always been my favorites. On the surface, I should loathe them: superhumanly gifted teenage girl, who can play any instrument, sing like a bird, would make a dragonrider, a hard worker, beloved by everyone, swift enough to be a hold runner, and a supremely talented songwriter whose songs delight people at the first hearing. She's also passive in many ways, incredibly modest and unsure of herself and her talents. She's taken to Harper Hall, where in the space of a week, masterharpers seek her opinion, she instantly can play other instruments, she's invited to play with an elite group of musicians, she conducts the whole choir, oh, and her fire lizards can sing and no-one's taught them THAT before. Luckily, her looks aren't mentioned much, and when they are it's fairly non-committal (lanky, too tall, wide shoulders and pretty hair). Thank zod she isn't a stunning beauty with purple eyes and the long-lost lovechild of Lessa and Flar. I think they are possibly the only two Mary-Sue cliches left unexplored.There's also the whole class system on Pern: the drudges slave in the kitchen for no reward it seems, and just go about serving klah to the elite and cleaning and cooking. Yet the Pern books are rife with "and the peasants cheered" statements. I don't know about you, but if I were a drudge on Pern, I wouldn't be cheering any supremely talented 15 year old, or Lord Holder, I'd be wondering why there wasn't a little more equality in the world.Much too has been made by others far more eloquent than me about the lack of opportunity for women on Pern: you can work in the kitchens, tend the children, gut fish, cook, heal... Oh, what wonderful 1950s careers for women these are. You might end up Weyrwoman, but even though your dragon is the supreme one, you are still beholden (and forced to mate with) the rider of whichever dragon succeeds in flying yours. There are passive ways of controlling this, but no real way of bucking the systemThat said, these books hold my heart in a very real way. I must have read them a dozen times, most recently this morning (thank you, Kindle). There's a charm to them, and Menolly for all her annoying gifts is human and likeable enough, and her joy in her music is heartwarming and real. There's a lovely comfort in the unconditional support she receives when she gets to harper hall, and her tentative friendships. The outcast loner taken into the bosom of a new "family".Nothing much happens in this book, it's a Day in the Life Of, but it's one of my Happy Books. I can take it out, reread and an hour has gone by.So even though I should loathe this, I don't. I love it. Forever and ever amen.

This coming of age origin story of Menelly is one of my favorites from the Pern collection. This was the third time I read it and it got better with each reading. It's so well written you just don't want it to end. My only wish is that the last two chapters were flushed out even more. Anne McCaffrey your writing style is an inspiration.

I first discovered these first 3 books as a young man of 20 - and I am certain that I have re-read them ALL, at least 10 or more times each (..and nearly all of the others as well, too!)!!The quality of storytelling, as well as the incredible depth, breadth, amazing accuracy and consistency book-to-book - holds me captive every time I take them down from the shelf. But what captures my soul, is the emotions these stories evoke in me. The heroism, courage, honor and "daring-do" of the characters, draw me in close to the people of Pern so completely, that I can't put a book down until I've finished it (..usually within 48 hrs!!). And now I've finally joined the "Kindle-club", and can even read in the dark of night!!! (...I'm glad I'm almost retired!!!)

I hadn't read this series in my previous runs through the Pern books, so it was a pleasant surprise. I love how this series fits in around the first three dragonrider books, but stays focused on the Harpers. It fleshed out things I'd wondered about in the original trilogy, that weren't explained, and provided a counterpoint to some of the other viewpoints, and personalities, of the world. Likable characters, and a serious, but not too serious, overarching world and small book plot. Enjoyable series, and probably a good introduction to the world of Dragon Riders of Pern for someone who hasn't read any before.

I started reading Anne McCaffrey years ago and loved all of Pern. So many hours of enjoyment. I had been reading a more current Dragon series when I recalled how close the Dragon lore, customs, and interactions reminded me of Pern. So I am rereading these wonderful tales! Juvenile literature is easier to read with pure adventure and exciting characters.Plots are not as convoluted, although this book had a lot of characters crossing their lives with "evil" left to experts.

While this is only the second in the series, I haven't had the opportunity to read the last book so it could have ended right here for me. I like how these books work with the main series books and gives you a different perspective of the events. And you meet more people who are not the main characters or are bit parts originally. Again, the teen character is different from today's society, but that makes it so much more fun to compare.

I rarely read books with teenage protagonists anymore; at sixty mumble, I just don’t have much in common with the age group. Decades after my first reading, though, this story still has the capacity to move me deeply as Menolly finds her place in the world, a place she’s uniquely suited to with friends and found family who truly appreciate her.A lovely, feel good story.

While maybe a little slower paced with a very character driven, loose plot, this story was cozy and just lovely to read.