ithildin | Lessa

When I posted my list a few days ago of fictional women that rock, Lessa of Pern was top of the list. I was pleasantly surprised to find so many fellow Lessa lovers on my f'list! All this talk about Pern makes me want to read the books again. Back when I was a teenager/twenties, I read them so often I wore out two sets of paperbacks.

Randomly related:

* The first SF book I ever read back when I was 14 was 'Restoree' by Anne McCaffrey, the second was "Two To Conquer" by Marion Zimmer Bradley.

* Other than Pern, her Crystal singer books are favourites of mine.

* I still have a major crush on Robinton and I sobbed when he died.

* Hoping that one of these days that one of the proposed movies or series will actually happen. Seems every time it gets close to reality, the project falls through.

* And last, but not least, who would you cast in a Pern movie?

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My only gripe with Anne McCaffrey is that her MFCs (all of whom I loved) almost always end up taking second place (status-wise) to their husbands/partners.. It's been a while since I read her books though, whether Pern, Crystal Singer, Talents..

On a random note, I remember being totally gobsmacked after reading Dragonsong (the first of her books I ever found) and seeking out more, only to discover that that particular book had been written in 1976. I was born in 1977, and was reading it in.. 1990? Ish? I distinctly remember the cover as I pulled it off the shelf in Kinson Library, so it must have been after 1987 anyway :)

Huh, I don't know if I ever noticed that, but I was reading them back in the seventies, so maybe 30 years later, I'd notice.

The Star Beast by Robert Heinlein was the first science fiction book I ever read.

I gave my husband a blue goblet for his birthday the first year we were together. He looked in it and mourned "But it's empty." I used to say that Roddy McDowell would make the perfect Robinton but I haven't played that game in such a long time.

Never would have thought of him as Robinton. Interesting. How about Alan Rickman?

I considered mentioning him in my previous post but ... as much as I adore his Snape and respect him as an actor, I can't really see him as Robinton. In every role I've seen him in, there is a ... distance that is contrary to character of the Masterharper. He doesn't really seem to share of his inner self.

I was trying to think of actors with great speaking voices. I've only seen him in a few things, so can't comment on his style.

Oh wow. I've read Restoree so many times I've lost count and yes, I love Killashandra and the Crystal singer books -> another series that would work well as a miniseries/movie.

Robinton & Menolly, were two of my other favs. Bawled my eyes out when he died.

I like the idea of James Macavoy in a film. I hadn't thought of him as scifi/fantasy material until I saw his portrayal as Leto. Granted he was young, but he has that whipcord look I imagine for alot of AM's dragon-riders.

I really wanted Menolly and Robinton together [sighs]

I think Micheal Beihn might make a good F'lar.

There you go, I always thought I was on my own for the M/R love :)

Love Michael Beihn. Are you casting using actors you who can do the character justice or trying to match book descriptions to people as well? Who would you have as his brother F'nor?

Doing the characters justice first, and if they sorta look like, or can dye their hair/wear coloured contacts, that's a bonus[g]

Lessa was one of my favorites too. I love the Pern series. I cried when Robinton died too.

I like her recent Acorna series, too.

I haven't read any of her recent stuff. I don't read SF & F like I used to, I'm afraid.

Can I say Ian McKellen as Robinton?
He's the first person to pop into my head.
I've forgotten what most of the other characters are supposed to look like so I can't mentally cast them at the moment.

But if I learn of casting anywhere near me before I turn 30 (so the next 6 and a half year) I will be in line to audition for Lessa.

That could work.

I have no idea for Lessa. I'm really awful at keeping up on currents actors.

She's one of the few literary character I could play in a live action role. She's short and dark haired. I'm short and dark haired.

Did you know that Anne McCaffrey wanted Claudia Christian as Killashandra? And IIRC there was some talk of Adrian Paul being a suitable F'lar...

If you hadn't guessed there's another McCaffrey fan on your flist right here!

I am just not an Adrian Paul fan, so I hope that never comes to pass [ducks from the bricks being thrown]

Did not know about Claudia.

Yay! Maybe I need to add Pern to my interests.

He doesn't particularly grab me either, but Claudia would be perfect as Killa!

I first encountered Anne's work in "More Stories from The Hugo Winners, Vol II" edited by Isaac Asimov (c) 1973 which included the short story "Weyr Search" which came out in 1968. That would have been the winter of 1975 in the middle of my Junior Years at college. Having found that, I searched out and collected her other works as they became available. I have used Anne's various books as an inducement to improve my children's reading. They still re-read the books for casual entertainment.

That Hugo Winners collection included other fun writers: Poul Anderson (Pole On-der-shun), Samuel R Delany, Harlan Ellison, Phillip José Farmer, Fritz Leiber, and Robert Silverberg.

Who would I cast?

Liam Neeson would make an adequate Robinton. Though if you really wanted to match the droll singer character, I would go with Mike Rowe (Dirty Jobs, Deadliest Catch voiceover ...) who is a classically trained opera singer.

I must think some more to place the right people for the good characters: Lessa, F'lar, F'nor, Breke, Jaxon, Menolly, Piemur, Sebell, Lytol/L'tol, Master Fandarel, Lord Groghe, Master Oldive, ... so many strong characters that require equally strong/settled players ...

I'm thinking Viggo Mortinson would make a good Dragon rider, though not sure which one.

Though if you really wanted to match the droll singer character, I would go with Mike Rowe (Dirty Jobs, Deadliest Catch voiceover ...) who is a classically trained opera singer.

OH YES!!

I loved the Pern series when I first read them (several decades ago - meep) especially the Dragonsong/-singer/-drums trilogy. Menolly is a fabulous character! I actually reread the Crystal Singer books every year or so.

I have the book of Pern character illustrations, so I may try to track that down & see what actors are similar in looks...

I have that book too! i remember one was Dirk Benedict.

Oh, ROBINTON! *sighs deeply*

The first SF book I read was by Andre Norton, but I'm not sure which one. I sort of ... devoured everything the library had by her over 2 weeks.

[sighs along with you]

I loved Restoree, and I own all the Pern Novels... I have read most of her other work as well, but my copies of Pern and Restoree had to replaced more than once due to wear and tear while rereading. *g*

Casting for the characters:

Lessa: Demi Moore would have made a lovely Lessa a few years back, she had that tiny frame and husky voice to match up with the description from the books and after GI Jane we knew she could do *tough*. I don't know who I would cast now though...

Robinton: I always wanted Sean Connery to play Robinton - but I could also easily see Piers Brosnan in the role, they both have the vocal talent to carry it off.

F'nor: I think Chris O'Donell could have some real fun with his character, rake and jokester - but able to be serious if needed.

Manora: (the headwoman of Bendan Weyr) would be another Englishwoman... but drat if I can remember her name at the moment.

Frankly I would have to skim the books to reacquaint myself with the rest of the characters, but I think that the books would make a lovely mini-series for TV.

I could see Sean Connery!

My copy of Restoree is pretty darn battered!

Recognized and loved all of the books you listed. I'm not sure what the first science fiction book I read was. I have the feeling though, that it may be one and the same as the first Anne McCaffrey book: Dolphins of Pern. A friend left it in the car one day and I picked it up out of curiosity.

It's been a while since I read the books though.

I'm wondering what the general opinion of the new Dragonrider books is and how they compare to the original ones.

Personally, I prefer them up to the Skies of Pern (in other words, not Todd McCaffrey's contributions to the series, although they are ok).

It's been so long, I didn't realize Todd was writing them now too!

My first SF&F book was "9 princes in Amber", by Roger Zelazny, but Dragonflight&Dragonquest were very close in line:). Though it was a quest to find the rest of the series in the same edition... (You're lucky there, you don't have to pay extra attention to the name of translator:)).

As for casting, so far I have only one strange idea - questions of age aside, I think Eric Close would be wonderful Jaxom :).

DO you know, there is couple of more or less officional CDs with Pern ballads. I don't remember links right now, but I can ask my friend after the weekend, if you're interested.

Actually the only thing I own with AM's autograph is a cassette of dragon songs from Pern. She was at a con I attended something like 20 years ago, and I wasn't able to get her autograph on a book, so I bought the presigned tape instead.

Wow! (*impressed*):)

"F'list" is a good name for dragonrider :)

(Hi, I am a friend of

grachonok who loves Pern and Pern's music)

Ah, Pern. I think you can tell by my handle that I love those books. I haven't read the recent ones yet, though. They're on the list.:)

As far as casting, I have no idea. I'd have to think on that.

After some consideration, I think that Bill Nighy would do an excellent job as Robinton. He has the look and he's able to project the human warmth of the character as well as his somewhat impish sense of humour but he can also do aloof and dignified.

I got sucked into Pern when I was about 9 or so, and Lessa, Menolly and Brekke were my favorites.

Have you seen Robin Wood's People of Pern (http://www.amazon.com/People-Pern-Robin-Wood/dp/0898657512) book? I know she collaborated with Anne McCaffrey on it. I'm not certain who I'd cast for anyone, although someone above me mentioned Mike Rowe for Robinton and I agree that he would be awesome!