I've always been ambivalent about McCaffrey. I gave up on the Pern books fairly far into the series, because the elements of sadism and rape I'd had trouble with earlier became, in my opinion, the predominant elements. I'll probably never know if I should have given up on only that particular book.The sex life of dragons is a disturbing but small part of their lives, and the use of the mating flights to overcome the wills of the riders (to celibacy, for example, or to other priorities, some worthwhile, some not, or to the desire to choose their own mates) is less concerning than the fact that the riders also vicariously indulge in the bloodlust of feeding dragons. Mating flights are overwhelming but rare--feeding occurs comparatively often.So it's not surprising that I found many of the stories in this book disturbing when I first read them. And I appreciate the reminders from other reviewers, that at least one of these stories involves rape. I'll try to detect that one early and skip it.Contents:Introduction: McCaffrey explains that the title of the book comes from a misreading of an earlier anthology with the title Get of The Unicorn (The misreading could have been prevented if it'd been given a less ambiguous name: say, The Unicorn's Children.).Lady in the Tower: So why SHOULD high-powered telepaths all be raging agoraphobes?A Meeting of Minds: One of the reasons the Rowan stories are so disappointing is the repetition of tired cliches. Yet ANOTHER monstra ex machina? (In this case, both literally and figuratively. Why SHOULD an alien society be so implacably hostile that they transcend intergalactic barriers to try to attack a neighboring civilization?). Another is the idea (apparently more endemic to McCaffrey herself than to her generation; a throwback, really, to earlier attitudes) that what women REALLY want is a 'superior master'.Daughter: If this is a true reflection of McCaffrey's own relationship with her father, it explains a lot. The extrapolation of current trends to the idea of a family farm run entirely by automation is untenable, but it might have seemed logical at the time. I'm actually more interested in the mother. She has chosen to sacrifice her own life to her family. But it's not a true renunciation, since she uses craft and subtlety to get her own way, without alienating strong stubborn personalities (too much). This sort of adaptation has always been more common among women than men, and it was rapidly dying out at the time the story was published (1971). By the time the story was set in, the adaptation would have been as atavistic as a giant sloth on the present day Pampas (it's presumed).Dull Drums: The society in the previous story carried forward. In the Doctor Who episode "Androids of Tara", the peasantry had become engineers, and when they were almost entirely lost in a plague, the androids they'd invented took their place...sort of. Without enough peasants to maintain them, they stopped being practical for everyday use. This society is somewhat similar. Programmers and other computer science folk are low status. Their work is regarded with disdain, and a highly talented student is steered OUT of the field. The implication is that the society's development of automation is overshadowed by its development of sophisticated psychological techniques, which are used largely to reconcile people to their lots in life. Not feasible, but McCaffrey was evidently very concerned by the rebelliousness of traditional 'underlings'. It might be interesting to make up a timeline showing historical events in Ireland in the periods these stories were written, in order to see how a conservative woman writer at the time responded to (rather than led) current developments in her writing.(Introduction to a new 'set'--these occur periodically in the book, and are more explanatory of the order and chronology than anything else.)Changeling: I have no problem with the polyandrous relationship in the story. I do think it's bit rich to put the whole burden of household adjustments on the woman, though. A household consisting of one woman, one homosexual man, one bisexual man, and one heterosexual man may require some complex adjustments (probably will, indeed). But why is it always HER responsibility to make things work? I have to say that the homosexual man is a bizarre personality. His misogyny is carried to the point of obsessiveness. He's not only sexually unattracted to women--he seems to regard ANY touch of a woman as potentially contaminating. Hypothetical question--what would have happened if 'his' child had been a girl? I have to say, by the way, that it's not true that he could only sire one child, if artificial insemination is readily available, UNLESS there is some regulatory limitation on the number of children each person could have. Weather on Welladay: The people in this story have no idea what's going on. Therefore I doubt the assumption that the 'whales' are unintelligent. So what is THEIR reward for permitting their thyroid glands to be 'milked'? Looks like a basis for mediation, to ME. It does seem a bit odd that any society would have a critical shortage of I-131, though.(Another interlude)The Thorns of Barevi: This is the story where a woman accepts being raped. But that's not the most troubling part of the story. McCaffrey has always had a tendency to accept slavery as normative. The escaped slave makes no attempt to help others escape, to put an end to the system of slavery, to establish an alternative society, to return home.... She really has no plans at all. She only escapes into the 'wilderness', and lives in hiding until she can parlay her rape into 'freedom'. I also find the supposed hostility of the environment implausible. And the habit of killing local fauna by bullfighting techniques (and about as fairly, since the humanoids have significantly greater strength and durability, and they always start the fights, and never stop until they kill the animals) is truly appalling. One thing that I did find interesting is the idea of a(n almost literal) sunset clause on blood-feuds. If people insist on having blood feuds, a time limit is a necessary amenity. Sort of a statute of limitations. And one day may be a little short, but it has definite possibilities.Horse from A Different Sea: The men who patronize certain prostitutes are getting pregnant. And the doctor decides that he has the right to kill the babies, though he knows nothing about them. The story is a sort of defensive rumination on his justification for these murders.The Great Canine Chorus: This is a truly horrific story. A disabled (and telepathic) little girl is exploited by her abusive father and local crime lords. And because she distrusts the authorities (whom she blames for the death of her mother), she refuses to allow them near her to try to help her. She only trusts animals, particularly dogs--but she overestimates her control of her own powers, and a call for help goes badly awry. Almost worse than the bathos of the individual story is the dystopian society, envisioned with a sort of 'gritty realism' that distorts by failing to show the 'big picture' of how we got to this horrid day, and who besides individuals are trying to fix it. Note that there's an implication that the little girl has a sister somewhere...Finder's Keeper: McCaffrey consistently conflates different psychic gifts. It's less so in this story. The child in this story has a form of psychometry, which enables him to 'find' things. His challenge is to keep himself from being exploited until he can reach maturity. And then exploit himself, apparently. Unlike other literary characters, this one is not motherless. He has quite a good mother, really, who advises him well. But has he no other family? Where are his aunts and uncles? Grandparents? Cousins?A Proper Santa Claus: A small boy has the ability to realize his artworks, but he begins to doubt himself when lectured in altruism. In fairness, he's only about five. He's likely to be able to resolve this quandary, eventually. The Smallest Dragonboy: Not one of the worst Pern stories. It would be better as a standalone children's book, I'd think, with illustrations. I don't think much of Pernese technology as represented in this story, by the way.(Another interlude--mostly these are descriptions of how the stories came to be written, and suggested rewrites)Apple: I'd always realized that the stories in To Ride Pegasus were dystopian. This is worse than most. McCaffrey evidently had no quarrel with the idea of disposable people, who can be killed or abused without quarter or concern. The fugitive in this story is a lost little girl, who has powers beyond the ordinary, including, apparently, significant apportive ability. She's murdered by the authorities, then the murder is dismissed with an attitude of 'good riddance to bad rubbish'. The general attitude of the police is that the people SHOULD be afraid of the authorities 'unless they behave properly', which is, of course, no exception at all, because the standing definition on 'proper behavior' is cowed acceptance of the commercial norms of the rich. Be poor, labor, and MAYBE we'll let you have a modicum of our loot, and not murder or otherwise abuse you...if we feel like it. The Talented in these stories are trying to carve a niche in this exploitative situation: but they're hampered by prejudice of those who are all too aware that they could be powerful rebels, if they chose. What, after all, did the little girl (she's not much above 12, apparently) steal? Baubles. Toys. Things that shouldn't even be for sale, some of them (sable coats? Come ON.) Conspicuous consumption, reserved for the rich, while the poor get subsistence food, housing, clothing, etc. I should point out that the Romani Anti-Defamation League could quite reasonably take issue against this story, since the victim is a 'Gypsy' child, and it's presumed that she has become so alienated from her society almost solely because of her ethnicity.(The last interlude)Honeymoon: Ever wonder how Helva and Niall Parollan consummated their relationship? Here's how. As sex scenes go, this one's more than a little weird.
This is an enjoyable collection of 14 of McCaffrey's short fiction. Six of the stories are set within the universes of popular series she created. "The Smallest Dragonboy" is set in her popular Pern universe--it's an enjoyable, even if not outstanding story. Three of the stories are set in the "Talents" universe concerning psychics of To Ride Pegasus, The Rowan and Damia. "Lady in the Tower" (1959) was actually McCaffrey's first published story and I enjoyed the follow-up "Meeting of the Minds." "Apple" was, I thought, one of the strongest stories in the book. As were the two similarly themed "Great Canine Chorus" and "Finder's Keepers" although technically both are standalones. "The Thorns of Barevi" is set in the same universe of Freedom's Landing and its sequels (although to be honest, that was my least favorite story in the book--too rapey.) And my favorite story in the book was "Honeymoon." Definitely not a standalone, McCaffrey warns in her introduction The Ship Who Sang should be read first. But then, given that aside from the early Pern novels, there's no McCaffrey novel I loved more, I adored being able to revisit Helva.None of these works are going to be found on a list of science-fiction classics--nor should they be. They're not outstanding either in concept or style. But if these aren't first tier, they're definitely right below. I'd been rereading books to decide which I should winnow from my bookshelves. I recently reread short story anthologies by Orson Scott Card and James P. Hogan. Both wrote novels I loved, both anthologies had first been read much more recently. Yet I couldn't remember a thing about the stories within those books. In the case of McCaffrey I not only quickly remembered almost all the stories once I started reading, certain lines and events were vividly memorable. So no, McCaffrey might not be in the same league as Isaac Asimov or C.L. Moore--but she's very enjoyable--and, I decided, a keeper.
What do You think about Get Off The Unicorn (1987)?
I first read this collection of McCaffrey short stories when I was a kid, and, having devoured both the Dragon Rider series and the Brain Ship series, I wanted more of her work. I loved it then, just for giving me another visit to Pern and the Federated Planets. I also loved it for clearly being something I probably "shouldn't" have been reading.Reading it now, almost 40 years after its original publication, I still love it, but more for McCaffrey's notes before each story. The stories remain fresh, for the most part, though the social mores in them (in particular the gender dynamics) are dated. Her notes are a very brief window into her creative process, and she hinted at other stories she still had inside of her at the time- some she wrote, and some that died with her. It's bittersweet to read think these characters will not see the light of day past the short stories contained here. Also, I still have the same paperback copy of this book I read as a kid, published in 1983. It smells like a musty old bookstore and was a pleasure to carry with me.
—Terri
I rather suspect I liked the same stories this time round as when I first read it.I've often reflected that over the last decade that Nora's analysis of people in the early 21st century and their online data store use (in Dull Drums) was eeireely accurate. On rereading it, I definitely think so and I suggest anyone interested in cases where the SF author pretty much got the future right (in the concepts rather than the specifics), take a read of this 1973 short story.My favourites remain:Lady in the TowerA Meeting of MindsDull DrumsFinder's KeeperThe Smallest DragonboyHoneymoonI still think the most problematic story is Thorns of the Barevi as it is basically a rape fantasy and not a very good one at that. (So if that is an issue for you, skip that one.)Three of the stories here later went on to be novels (Lady in the Tower --> The Rowan; A Meeting of Minds --> Damia; Thorns of the Barevi --> Freedom's Landing). I find myself eager to get to The Rowan and Damia but, as per my comments above, find myself a little concerned about Freedom's Landing. But I've never read the latter, so it may not fit as closely to the short story as the first two do.After two Anne McCaffrey books in two days, I'm taking a quick break, but I intend to be back for Dragonsinger soon. I'm really enjoying my journey through her books.
—Kerry
Yes, this is how far I have sunk- reading McCaffrey books, which I read as a virgin teen. This stuff I wouldn't recommend bec it was written way before "women's lib" and the sexism and racism is so casual and endemic, it's rather chilling. Actually what's shocking is her seeming lack of recognition that there are extremely sexist and even anti-female elements in some of the stories. I mean, sure, your Dad (Daughter, et. al.) is a big sexist asshole, but the number of times one female protag is grabbed by men and doesn't protest the manhandling, instead sees it as sign of caring- it was sickening. Or in "Honeymoon" (HAH!)the assumption that a "brawn" must be watched for signs of obsession with the brain, for fear he might be so overcome by lack of sexual stimulation during long space flights that he might crack open the shell of his defenseless "brain" and rape a physically stunted person covered in nutritive fluid whos brain is exposed and connected with wires to the very functions of the ship which keep him alive? What??? True, I did not read " The Ship Who Sang" and now, I don't really want to , if that's the dynamic. and I had been looking forward to it. Helva was nervous at first during the trip: "Can I trust him not to crack my shell?". Basically, "Can I trust him not to rape me in a fit of crazed lust inspired by lack of available vaginas to poke?". and his wanting to "join with her", and the jibe about " don't play that virgin crap with me!" What? You're on a methane gas alien world without your usual physical body, potentially dangerous beings watching you and you press the advantage to merge by yelling abuse?! Hello, not the time for gettin' it on no matter that it's sex by proxy!It's just depressing that in her world we can have hyperspace, sophisticated ships and explore strange peoples and lands, but there is no way to deal with the male mammalian sex drive. Oh yeah, that's the point: no matter what, a woman's a woman and a man is a man and he's gotta have it, and she's gonna give it, one thousand years of techinical advancement notwithstanding. Sheesh. How backward. Sign me up for some Cherryh, Reeves, Aguirre or Liz Moon!
—WillowBe
