A Diversity Of Dragons by Anne McCaffrey with Richard Woods, illustrated by John Howe (book review).
Upon seeing the title “A Diversity of Dragons” associated with Anne McCaffrey, my interest was piqued, particularly because it promised an exploration of dragons from both legend and contemporary fiction. Contrary to initial expectations, the book begins with McCaffrey receiving an eager visitor, Sean Evans, who seeks her insights on dragons.
The arrival of another guest, Epiphanius Tighe, who possesses even greater expertise on the subject, truly ignites the discourse. It’s worth mentioning that these names are fictional, though Tighe’s does have historical precedence, albeit not from recent centuries. As the narrative unfolds, a myriad of dragons are examined, interspersed with textual quotations.
It seems McCaffrey agreed to this project under the condition that it be crafted in her unique style, rather than resembling a concise encyclopedia—a format that, I surmise, might still emerge at some point, although I have yet to encounter it. John Howe’s extensive contribution of paintings, showcasing varied styles, adds a layer of complexity to determining the sequence and timing of his work, especially considering this took place in the 1990s.
The conversational tone McCaffrey adopts cleverly circumvents a purely encyclopedic presentation, with the final pages dedicated to citing sources for the main text and excerpts, alongside a concluding page addressing any omissions. Notably, C.S. Lewis’s “Voyage of the Dawn Treader” receives acknowledgment. Since its publication, numerous dragon-centric novels have emerged. A minor editorial oversight mislabels ‘Poul Anderson’ as ‘Paul Anderson’, a mistake that ideally should have been corrected prior to publication.
In evaluating the broader context, dragon myths span globally, featuring diverse physical characteristics, abilities to fly, and breathe fire, often inspired by regions abundant with lizards or reptiles, pre-dating the discovery of dinosaurs. Yet, no prehistoric discovery directly corresponds to the dragons of lore. Historically, humanity has often invented chimeras, blending various species, including human-animal hybrids like centaurs and mermaids. Dragons, however, predominantly stand alone in their association with greed, hoarding treasures, and an appetite for maidens, serving as cautionary tales to deter children from wandering at night.
For enthusiasts of McCaffrey’s work or collectors missing this title, “A Diversity of Dragons” is a significant, albeit sizeable, addition to one’s library.
GF Willmetts
January 2024
(pub: HarperCollins/Harper Prism, 1997. 96 page illustrated very large hardback. Price: varies. ISBN: 0-06-105531-X)
check out website: www.harpercollins.com
