October 14, 2013
Fan fiction is the appropriation and use of characters and plots from popular books, television series, and movies by amateur writers. It’s a genre that’s most often associated with the Fifty Shades trilogy. The spread of fan fiction may be facilitated by the Internet, but as Jamison, a University of Utah literature professor, and the dozens of other contributors show, it is in no way new—nor is it inherently uncreative. After presenting examples of classical, medieval, and Sherlock Holmes–inspired fan fiction, Jamison takes readers on a tour of the field as it developed in the 20th century, focusing on television- and book-based fan fiction of the 1990s and 2000s, a period when technology allowed people across the globe to share their enthusiasms online. Though to some readers, fan fictioneers may look suspiciously like anarchic communitarians at best, or thieves at worst, this book, with a foreword by Lev Grossman, takes a sympathetic and supportive look at the unconventional practice, highlighting both its precedents and the benefits this mixing of ideas can bring. Those already in the know about fan fiction may find little that is new here, but those unfamiliar with the field would do well to read this text. Agent: Michael Bourret, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.
Starred review from November 8, 2004
The torch has been passed and burns more brightly than ever in this latest chapter of the venerable Pern saga, the first of what one hopes will be many solo efforts by the son of series creator Anne McCaffrey (Dragons of Pern
). The narrative shifts smoothly between Wind Blossom, one of the original colonists of Pern, who's struggling to create a legacy for future generations before she dies, and Lorana, a young dragonrider born 450 years later with unusual talents for healing and telepathy. A genuinely spellbinding set of time travel puzzles and paradoxes is set against the moving backdrop of two populations struggling to survive: the children of the colonists, learning to live in a new world as they lose the technology of the old one, and the dragons of Lorana's time, who are dying of a mysterious plague just when they're needed to protect Pern. The strength of the two women and the mysterious connection between them is gradually revealed through a number of surprising and sometimes heartbreaking parallel occurrences. This stand-alone tale fits beautifully into the existing history and style of earlier books while still breaking new ground. Despite being geared toward the existing fan base, it will be quite accessible to new readers. In her introduction, the elder McCaffrey writes, "son, you done did good and me proud!" Even the most nepotism-wary will concur and eagerly look forward to the next installment. Agent, Donald Maass. (Jan. 25)
FYI:
McCaffrey co-wrote the previous Pern novel,
Dragon's Kin (2003), with his mother.
Starred review from December 1, 2004
Near the end of the Second Interval, a deadly illness strikes the dragons of Pern, which leaves dragons and dragonriders unable to combat the deadly Threadfall that periodically rains destruction on the planet. Hints of a cure lie in the words of an eerie and seldom-sung ballad written hundreds of years in the past, and only a young woman who hears the speech of all dragons has a chance to solve the riddle and save her world. In his first solo novel, the author-who co-wrote Dragon's Kin with mother Anne McCaffrey (who provides the introduction here)-continues the Pern saga with a story set in two periods of the planet's past. Compelling characters, both human and dragon, and a tightly woven plot make this tale of courage, sacrifice, and love a priority purchase for sf and YA collections. Highly recommended.
Copyright 2004 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
November 1, 2004
After coauthoring " Dragon's Kin" [BKL S 15 03] with his mother, Anne, McCaffrey smoothly accepts the torch from her to further chronicle the world of the Dragonriders of Pern, her most famous creation. The story alternates between two times--the immediate present, more than 500 turns since the first landing on Pern, and 400 turns earlier, when geneticist Wind Blossom, whose mother had created the dragons, was still alive. The situation in the later period is dire: thread is falling, and the dragons are sickening and dying. Only Wind Blossom can save the dragons, and that seems impossible. Time is the literal cure, however, and making the impossible possible is the bond that Lorana, a marvelous young woman of the present, makes with Wind Blossom by reaching back in time to come up with the cure. McCaffrey convincingly spins a dramatic, thoroughly captivating tale, steeped in the lore and well-drawn characterizations of the people and the dragons for which the Pern novels are prized. Fans old and new will be delighted by his continuance of a beloved saga. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)