#27 – Feminist Science Fiction – A Reader's History of Science Fiction
Among the various social changes that accompanied the New Wave, this time period saw the rise of second-wave feminism. In this episode, we explore how that movement influenced the genre of science fiction. Book recommendation: The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin. Tor Books poll on women in speculative fiction. Eric Leif Davin's Partners in Wonder. Sable Aradia's review of "Houston, Houston, Do You Read?" My blog posts on The Handmaid's Tale: Part 1, Part 2 Jan Misali/Conlang Critic on Láadan. Princeton article on Láadan. Mary Robinette Kowal on women in sci-fi. Other works discussed: "The Screwfly Solution" by James Tiptree Jr. "Houston, Houston, Do You Read?" by James Tiptree Jr. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" by Ursula K. Le Guin The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood Native Tongue by Suzette Haden Elgin Kindred by Octavia E. Butler Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
Olaf Stapledon and C. S. Lewis both explored the spiritual side of science fiction, albeit in very different ways. In this episode, we explore how they went about it and why one of them is considered a must read by many of the greats of the genre.
Book recommendation: Star Maker by Olaf Stapledon.
Other books mentioned:
Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon
Out of the Silent Planet by C. S. Lewis
Perelandra by C. S. Lewis
That Hideous Strength by C. S. Lewis
