A Woman's Liberation

A Woman's Liberation: A Choice of Futures By and About Women
Edited by Connie Willis and Sheila Williams

  I'm not a big fan of feminist literature but I am just a bit of a fan of stories involving strong women. (I know; snore.) I picked up this one to get the point of view of women writing specifically feminist science fiction--and by "feminist", they mean involving and impacting women, not the modern sort of angsty, bitchy, man-hating feminists who complain about "equality".

  I have to say, the first chapter was great. But it was only the introduction. After that it was mainly a matter of taste in the stories--and unfortunately a lot of people, especially in science fiction, think that they have to include gratuitous and/or graphic sex in their stories in order to be progressive. For that reason I am sorry to say that I can't recommend this book beyond the introduction.

  But it's one killer introduction. Claiming that "women and science fiction were made for each other," it delves into the history of women writers in what appears to be a stereotypical Male realm. It reminds us that strong women are not a recent invention, and that the first novel to usher in the modern era of science fiction, Frankenstein, was written by a woman. It touches on my favorite part of the concept of science fiction, that there are possibilities out there--"what if?"s--and in science fiction it is not only acceptable but encouraged to think outside the constructs of genre in order to tell as big a story as you have to tell.

  And they mentioned Catherine Asaro. Not a lot, just the name. She has done so much for me through her characters. I have a soft spot for anyone who mentions her favorably.

  So pick up this book long enough to read the introduction. Think about what it says. Think great big "what if?"s. Then go out and broaden your horizons.