***Future Women: Explorations and Aspirations

When a number of us read The Postman for the Halloween read, this post-apocalyptic view of how women's role might develop in the future and the influence of women in future society sparked some interest in similar readings.

I am inviting those interested to follow along in group reads or simply comments on the following books this year. Feel free to join in for as many or as few as you like. The last two are by way of being optionals. Since the Austenathon is starting January 15, I am thinking of staggering these books for those of us participating in both, starting with February 1, as follows:

Projected revised schedule:

Feb. 1: Native Tongue reading begins and spoiler thread opens for comments as people finish.

March 1: start reading Always Coming Home by Ursula K. LeGuin

April 1: start reading Women on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy

May 1: start reading The Female Man by Joanna Russ

June 1: start reading The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

July 1: start reading Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett

August 1: start reading Gibbon's Decline and Fall by Sheri Tepper
September 1: start reading Thendara House by Marion Zimmer Bradley

I'm interested in participating, though I generally don't do well with scheduled group reads. We'll see!

Stopping by to let you know that I am interested and at this point the possibility of my participation is a *maybe*. All the best in having an excellent group read, with or without me.

I am going to try and take part too, Roni. I will not be able to do all the reads as my local library does not have all the books (hopefully, I can get some through PBS in the mean time!) Thanks for setting this up, Roni!

This looks fascinating - I'll definitely participate in at least a few!

I will try to participate, also, if I can find the books. I know we have a copy of the Atwood book.
--BJ

There's a couple on you list from my wish list. I will try and jump in one the ones I can.

An interesting list of books. I've read four of them and would tend to say none are of the centrist point of view. With the right mix of people, you could probably get a fairly interesting conversation going around these.

With so high a percentage of re-reads, I don't think this is something I'll do...but it would be fun to play Devil's Advocate here a bit. Especially with what I perceive as a rather strong slant on type of books.

;-D

I would like to do this, though I have a terrible group read history. I also love Atwood and like Tepper. Hopefully I will get these (re)read. Thanks for setting this up.

I notice that Monstrous Regiment is third in a Discworld sub-series. If I've never read any Discworld before, where would you recommend I start?

Also, I don't know if I'm the only one who missed The Postman at Halloween, but I guess I'll try to read that one around January 1.

I'm in! The only one I may not join in for is The Handmaid's Tale because I read it last year, but then again I may decide to reread it.

#10 Zoe, I've read Monstrous Regiment before and I don't think you need to read any other Discworld books before reading that one. The sub series it's part of is a very loose subseries and I think the book would stand alone well. The story focuses on new characters and a new country so I don't think you'd be at a disadvantage.

Other than the Atwood and Pratchett most of the books seem out of print in the UK but I think I can get hold of them secondhand fairly cheaply (hooray for abebooks!)

>10 _Zoe_:: You can find a chart of suggested reading orders here, Zoe.

I don't think you really need to have read much Discworld to do Monstrous Regiment.

I'll try and drop in. The Elgin is the only one I haven't read, and of course my library doesn't have it. Have to see if I can find a used copy at the book nook.

Thendara House and Monstrous Regiment are sort of optional add-ons. The first is close to the dystopias of the first four books, but in another society on an alien planet, while the second is pure fantasy that revolves, however, around some of the same issues as in The Postman, ie, the influence of women on war. I was underwhelmed by it the first time, but want to give it another chance--others have liked it much better than I did that first time and I wonder if I just didn't have inappropriate expectations. All, I hope to be thought-provoking. As Tad commented, these are not neutral reads.

The Elgin is available used online for under $3. Elgin is a linguist and she uses her formal training to construct a society that I think is fascinating. I know this book might not be as readily available, but of all of them, it is the one, along with Le Guin's, I would promote the most.

My library has books 2&3 of Native Tongue but not the first, I'll try to track down a copy and join in.
I haven't read The Postman and I'm hopeless at group reads but I can only try.
I've only read The Handmaid's Tale from the list.

This looks interesting, Roni! I will try to participate. My track record with group reads hasn't been great lately, but I'll give it the old college try!

Sounds like fun! I'd like to join in. I've read The Handmaid's Tale, and I read Thendara House about ten years ago when I was working my way through the Darkover series, but I haven't read the others. I'm not sure about the Pratchett, since his style isn't generally the type of thing I like, but I may give it a try anyway.

I've starred it -- the only one I've read is the Atwood. I've read some of the Darkovers, but not that one. Maybe I should try to get to The Postman first.

I'm in!

I've starred this - I'm hopeless at group reads too, but this is an interesting topic so I shall keep an eye on the thread and perhaps try to track down one or two of the books (I've read the Atwood and Pratchett).

Sounds interesting. Thanks for organizing it ronincats.

I'm not sure I'll be able to participate, but thanks for the invite!

Oops, I forgot to thank everyone for the info about Discworld reading order. A bit belated now, but thanks!

I'm wondering whether we need to read The Postman before the other books, since it was the inspiration for this reading series. I requested it from the library almost a month ago, but it still hasn't come in.

I'm probably going to get a late start on the whole thing anyway, since it seems that I'll have to purchase Native Tongue and I'm hoping to get at least a couple of weeks into the year before buying more books.

Zoe, if you'll give me your address on my profile page in a private message, I'll forward you a copy of The Postman. It's my one of my two favorite of David's novels.

Aw, thank you! I'm now feeling much more optimistic about this group read :). And I realized I had been mistaken about the reading dates too; I thought discussion was starting on Feb. 1 when it's really just reading that's starting on Feb. 1. I may be able to catch up after all!

Off to your profile....

Yeah, I'm awfully glad that Feb. 1st is the reading start date -- still waiting for the Elgin to come in, as it's apparently a print-on-demand title for my local bookstore -- had to order it.

Cross your fingers that it gets here by the end of the month. :)

I've reserved a copy of Native Tongue from my library, who are usually fairly quick at making copies available, so I hope to be able to join in reading from 1st Feb.

Will we be starting a separate thread for the discussion? Just wondering so I know to look for it when the time gets close.

Good question, Jasmyn. Yes, I'll be opening a "Native Tongue: spoiler thread" a few days before the 1st, along with a pacing guide. I just put it on my calendar for the 28th. And I'll announce it here as well.

Picked up a copy of Native Tongue today, so I should be ready to discuss come February. It's the only one my library doesn't own. I haven't read it for awhile, but I think Women on the edge of time by Piercy might be a good fit for this collection too.

>30 markon:: The Piercy book is one some friends recommended to me as taking an interesting approach to the gender divide...forcing equivalence, as it were. I haven't gotten around to it, though.

Actually, the missing book that I think is consistent with this list is Joanna Russ' The Female Man.

I just ordered a used copy of Native Tongue, so I should be ready by February.

I have had Woman on the Edge of Time in my TBR pile for some time now so would be happy to add that to the list if others are interested?

Those sound good. Why don't we take off the last two on my list, which were marginals--Thendara House and Monstrous Regiment--at least for now (if people want to go on when we finish the primary list, that would be fine), and add Women on the Edge of Time, which I've never read, and The Female Man? Would that be okay with everyone?

Remove Terry Pratchett? *whimpers*

Okay, Amanda, just move him to the end of the line. He's an outlier here--fantasy rather than science fiction, male author--I thought he might, however, apply his satirical touch rather appropriately to the topic. People are going to be dipping in and out of the readings as it is. And people, do feel free to drop in and out, rather than feel you have to commit to the whole series. I do hope the readings will be provocative enough to inspire some spirited discussion.

Projected revised schedule:

Feb. 1: Native Tongue reading begins and spoiler thread opens for comments as people finish.

March 1: start reading Always Coming Home by Ursula K. LeGuin

April 1: start reading Gibbon's Decline and Fall by Sheri Tepper

May 1: start reading Women on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy

June 1: start reading The Female Man by Joanna Russ

July 1: start reading The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

August 1: start reading Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett

September 1: start reading Thendara House by Marion Zimmer Bradley

#26 - Thanks for clarifying that we can do just some of the reads. I'm hoping to get the LeGuin book and join in for that one and a few others (been wanting to reread The Handmaid's Tale anyhow).

Great group read idea -- thanks for starting it!

I just ordered the first book from Amazon and it should get here just in time. :)
--BJ

I also plan to participate! I'm very excited!

I've just ordered a copy of Native Tongue so hopefully it will arrive by the start of February.

My library copy of Native tongue is now ready for collection, so I'll be all set for the beginning of February...

I started Native Tongue a bit early today (the other book on my shelf wasn't striking my fancy!), and I'm pleased to say that it's one I was sad to put down after my lunch hour was over!

My copy arrived in the mail. So I will be ready to go.
--BJ

My library doesn't have Native Tounge, so it looks like I'll be ordering that from Amazon.

I received my copy yesterday, so I'll be ready to start this week.

I ordered my copy of Native Tongue today. I was planning to get it as an ebook, but apparently there isn't an ebook version available (boo), so I ordered a paperback from Amazon.

I have opened the Native Tongue discussion thread here:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/108665

The discussion schedule is in the first message.

I'm a bit behind already, but I'll be ordering a copy as well (once I finish On Stranger Tides and start and finish The Postman....)

Roni,

I have a suggestion. For your future reads, instead of having paced reading (e.g., "Talk about up to Chapter 8 by this date, up to Chapter 15 by this date"), I propose that you simply have a spoiler thread to talk about the book in whatever depth people choose. When people are ready for that, they come over.

On the theoretical side, talking about half a theory or a quarter of a hypothesis is kind of sterile.

On the practical side, you're losing a lot of your discussions. They're being moved off to other threads and I doubt they'll all be recaptured back on the main thread after the 22nd.

I agree with Tad. On top of problem that you can't really talk about what many of these books are about without finishing them, the LeGuin is not a good sequential read. You're going to lose people who either skip ahead or stop reading because they don't feel they have permission to skip around.

I like having a "recommended" reading schedule. Not a strict guide to what sections are going to be discussed when, but a guide that splits the books up a little into fairly equal parts. (If one isn't listed I try to make one for myself.) Otherwise I either wait until the day before the end and rush through it, or get really caught up in the story at the beginning and rush through it.

I also do better with a deadline. :)

However, I'm not joining the group read until next month. I ordered the LeGuin and got it in last week.

A recommended schedule is nice to have, but I always figure it's "more of a guideline" (in the Pirate Code in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies) than a fixed date and page/chapter ending. I enjoy reading the commentary, tossing my thoughts in the pot occasionally and then finishing up the book. I like very much the sharing of ideas and viewpoints these threads offer, but if someone in the group comments somewhere else, I ignore it. This is an interesting set of books, as is the Halloween list, and I'm interested to see how the members deal with each offering. Thanks for the recommendations.

Good points. How about I suggest a reading schedule, but reserve the spoiler thread for those who have finished the book. People who want to comment on the portion they are reading at a slower pace--either comment here, or set up a non-spoiler thread for the book?

I'm fine with that.

Brilliant solution, Roni

Now I have to go find a copy of the LeGuin....

My LeGuin came yesterday. It looks like fun, I don't know how I missed it either, I had a LeGuin fit a few years ago and read or reread everything I could get my hands on so I can't wait! Luckily I'm in way over my head with other books or I wouldn't be able to.

The whole reason I'm participating in these group reads (well, the *original* reason) is because I've had a copy of Always Coming Home on my shelf for years and need a tiny push to read it. So excited for March!

This looks like a great group! I am new to this group on LibraryThing, but I like reading and talking about books. LeGuin and Atwood are two of my favorite writers, and I recently cowrote a play with a character called ManWoman (a transgendered character). And I teach courses in gender and theatre, so I am excited by the content on this thread!

Where is the spoiler thread for discussion, once I'm actually ready to discuss?

Looking forward to it!

V

Gah. Looks like I'll be joining up at a later date - traveling and restricted to kindle books. Perhaps in May, for Women on the Edge...

The spoiler thread for discussion of Native Tongue can be found at: http://www.librarything.com/topic/108665

Relevant background: Le Guin was the child of two anthopologists. Her father, Alfred Kroeber, was extremely important in the collection of and analysis of cultural data on western tribes of Native Americans. His study of Ishi, the last remaining member of his tribe, was written up by his wife, Theodora Kroeber, as Ishi in Two Worlds.

Always Coming Home is more an anthropological collection of cultural data about a future civilization than a typical novel. You will find stories, poems, and encyclopedia-like informative entries mixed together. There is an extensive appendix with songs, maps, alphabet and language information, crafts, and much more.

Suggested reading schedule (realizing that many people will read it at their own speed, which is perfectly fine):
March 1-7--"Stone Telling Part 1" through "The Four Histories".
March 8-14--"Pandora worrying" through "Eight Life Stories"
March 15-21--"Some brief valley texts" through "POEMS: 4th Section"
March 22-28--"The Back of the Book" These are the appendices and are optional, but fascinating to dip into.

Here is the spoiler thread.
http://www.librarything.com/topic/110921

The spoiler thread will be used this time for those who have finished as much of the book as they intend to in this time and space, with no limits on discussing things that happen outside of the schedule. Those who want to comment as they are reading, which is welcome, will please use the general Future Women thread.

Roni -- How delightful that you've posted the thread! I am very eager to begin. While NT proved to be a bit of a challenge in some ways, I adored the discussions. Thank you for arranging the reads for us.

Well, I'm very far behind and just finished The Postman a couple of days ago. Can someone direct me to the discussions of it that took place last year? I didn't see too much detailed discussion in the main Halloween thread, but maybe it's in individual member threads or some other thread that I'm missing? I'd like to see what people have to say about the role of women in that book.

I'm just now starting to get back into the swing of LT (slowly, as always). Thanks for starting this group, Roni, and sorry I'm late to the game. I skimmed through the discussion of Native Tongue, though I haven't had a chance to read the novel yet. I read Always Coming Home quite a few years ago, and I look forward to reading people's reactions.

I'm not seeing any action on either of the threads on Always Coming Home--not sure if that's because people haven't gotten started yet or the new format. Remember, you can go and comment at any time on the group read thread, whether you've finished the book or not, but we're not putting any limits on discussion on that thread as to what we are discussing where in the book. OR you can put comments as you are reading here on this thread to share.

Now, I have to go off and get started--I'm behind!

#66 I haven't started yet but will hopefully pick it up and join in this weekend.

>66 ronincats:: I've started the book, but it's slow going right now.

For folks that are having problems with getting through the anthropological stuff in the LeGuin, the Stone Telling sections are a coherent novella with a plot and can be read in sequence without the intervening material.

I'm with TadAD, but mostly because I'm juggling three books right now (I know, bad girl). I'll finish the easy one, postpone the other, and then focus on the Le Guin.

Another person finding it slow going but it is really my own fault as I've managed to get distracted with other books.

Ask yourself why the author chose this format instead of a straight narrative, as in all of her other books. What is the function? Are we supposed to slow down, as we are unable to plow ahead through a single story line? What do the other materials add to our experience? Does reading it slowly, dipping into it, savoring this bit and that, add to our immersion in the cultural thought? Is it worth it or not?

Roni OK if I copy that over on the Home thread, see if we can get something going?? I'm sure I'm not the only one reading it, but I seem to be the only one posting anything..... I do agree that a good starting discussion might be about the construction of it than the contents! I love your questions!

NOTICE! I'm going to pull the Tepper for April--I think it's too close in tone to the Elgin, and we need to get some different perspectives. So plan on moving Women on the Edge of Time, which I haven't read, and all the others up a month. I'll try to reread the Tepper myself sometime this spring and see if I want to re-insert it later in the sequence.

Oh shoot, I love , love Women on the Edge of Time. Are you feeling intimidated, or just don't want to make waves? I understand it's difficult when people become angry with you, but it is a great book.

No, sorry, I think I must not have been clear. I am removing Gibbons Decline and Fall for the time being and moving directly on to Women on the Edge of Time for April instead of its original slot in May. Thanks for helping me clarify, Joyce. I haven't read Women on the Edge of Time yet, and am looking forward to it.

Oh, I see. They're both great picks. Thanks for the clarification

>75 Citizenjoyce:: Are you referring to me?

Alas, yes, Tad. Feminist science fiction writes at that time were pretty hard on vicious misogynists of the time so tended to make other men angry.

Then I have a follow-up question (that I should have asked with the first), are you referring to my posts in the thread as a whole or to the last exchange?

To the last exchange. Your posts on the whole seemed to concentrate on linguistics.

Then I should probably clarify. It is true that I thought that Roni's post, copied with no contextual commentary, had to be taken on its own merits as a statement of her position and that it was an unpleasant position, yet it was your response that I actually found offensive. You made a statement about men in general; I apply that to myself.

Had I copied the recent article about the huge surge in sales of luxury sex toys for women, the diamond studded devices marketed with the slogan, "the only two things you need from a man," and then made a comment about women finally creating the perfect rich, docile, brainless, well-endowed husband, I think it would not have been pretty.

I don't deny that some of the things that Elgin said angered me. If, however, everything I say is dismissed as male anger...then, well, I guess dialog goes out the window.

Edit missing word

I'm glad, then, that I explained on the Native Tongue thread what led me to post that, as it certainly was not MY position. It simply spoke to something we had been discussing. And I also have realized that sometimes I need to clarify--my support of Elgin was often to allow her to tell the story she wanted to tell, not support that the entire world was what she showed. I am positive that in the general population of that world, there were indeed families with good relationships, men who supported their wives and believed them equals despite the propaganda, etc.--those simply were not the people Elgin chose to write about.

Thankfully, Le Guin has a more nuanced presentation, as people are discussing on the Always Coming Home thread.

>74 ronincats:: Rats! My local library doesn't have that one.

I thought mine didn't either, and then realized I had the title wrong. It is WOMAN on the Edge of Time, not "women". And Amazon has used copies for 12¢.

#82, My response, in humor, indicated that this is the type of woman the men in Native Tongue would have liked. I could have added the comment that a tape recording saying "You're the king, you're the greatest" would have made one of the dolls serve as a good Stepford Wife. As my daughter is always telling me when I take offense at something a person says about someone else, "If you didn't do (whatever the condemned action is) the conversation isn't about you."

What I feel is happening is that this is becoming a my way or the highway discussion group. I've been in some group reads that got pretty hairy and it only works when some of the stronger voices back down and encourage everyone to speak -- for example, I have found that it is not necessary to comment on every comment I don't agree with - just to let it glide by and move on. Also I've certainly had the (humbling and not really fun) experience of finding out that what I thought was funny, wasn't actually.

I'm in two minds about posting as I've also found when it gets to this point there is often no point as the damage has already been done.

I don't like confrontation but I have to speak up to avoid being what I hate about !some! men with regard to women's issues, someone who stands passively by even though they agree.

#79 was dismissive especially after practicaly accusing him of bullying. I don't think being dismissive of the man's feelings because he's a man is any more acceptable than if a woman's feelings are being dismissed because she's a woman.

As for #86 on one hand I !did! interpret it as an attempt at humor. However I also !didn't! interpret it as restricted to the men in Native Tongue since it didn't say that and ronincat's post wasn't said in that context. So I can see how TadAD thought the comment was aimed at all men and was maybe a little less likely to see it as humorous the way we did.

I've said my piece and now I'll go back to reading.

>75 Citizenjoyce: Joyce, I realized I didn't address your question as to whether I felt intimidated or just didn't want to make waves. Neither. As I looked over the discussion for Native Tongue, and the comments of all about the book, I realized that the concerns and discussion stimulated by it would basically be repeated word for word for Tepper's book, which has many of the same characteristics. I wouldn't find a month where we simply reiterated this discussion very interesting, and am more interested in finding a book that brings something new to the table.

As we all know, it is very easy to misinterpret or over-interpret connotation here in print. We should be able to talk about our responses to the books and the issues truthfully and without feeling censored or pressured, but we should also be careful not to say things in a way that would be considered disrespectful to those with other responses, and indeed, not to dismiss those responses, as the variety is what makes it interesting and helps us expand our own views. I personally believe it is possible to be both opinionated and respectful. I encourage it here.

>85 ronincats:: That they have. Thanks!

Stepping aside with a smile.

On a different note, I've started a late discussion thread for The Postman because it turns out that there wasn't actually one last year.

Am I remembering correctly that we've bumped Women on the edge of time up to an April read? I ran across my copy yesterday (while looking for something else), so I'm hoping to read it now while I have my hands on it.

I've started Woman on the Edge of Time and it's even better than I remembered. No one will certainly be able to deny that this is a work of literature. Is there a thread for it yet?

No, sorry, I've been ill and not had much energy online. Yes, Woman on the Edge of Time is our April read. I haven't gotten the book from the library yet, but Amazon says the paperback is 384 pages. So how about 130 pages per week for the leisurely pace?

Here is the thread:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/113304

I'd be interested in how many people started the LeGuin and bogged down. If you don't want to post it here, a private message would be appreciated.

I haven't even started the LeGuin yet - not in the right frame of mind, and possibly discouraged by the comments which suggested it was not a conventional kind of read which was what I really needed for most of the past month.

I flipped through the LeGuin but didn't really read any of it. It looked interesting, but I think I'd rather sample it over a long period of time than read it cover to cover in a month.

#96 I did get bogged down with the Le Guin but I managed to finish it in the end (on the 31st!). It helped when I allowed myself to skip/skim the poetry and not think of it as a novel.

#95 Hope you feel better soon Roni. I've got my copy to hand and 384 pages is almost spot on. The book is in chapters though so is it best to split by chapters?

Chapters 1-6 takes us up to the end of page 126
Chapters 7-12 takes us up to the end of page 257
Chapters 13-20 to the end of the book

I am one who abandoned the LeGuin almost immediately. It was becoming a chore, so I skipped it and decided to wait for the next month. Then I got bogged down in reality, so I'll have to hurry up & get the new book!

I started Always Coming Home but I really just can't stand to read any more.

> great suggestion, Heather to stop at the end of a chapter.
Roni I hope you're health is improving. There are lots of allergies is my area making for lots of stressed out people.

I was getting better, but have had a slight relapse. Thanks, Joyce.

I finished Always Coming Home, reading it gradually like a book of poetry or a non-fiction book, near the end of the month. I do have things I want to say about it, and will do so, but want to have my mind clear when I do so. I'll post here when I put my thoughts up on the book thread.

The college library has this one! Saves me some money and a trip to the store.

I just got this message:

Quote: "Samuel R. Delany via Ron Drummond reports that Joanna Russ, the author of The Female Man and What Are We Fighting For?: Sex, Race, Class, and the Future of Feminism, among many other works of science fiction and scholarship, has been admitted to hospice after suffering a series of strokes. According to Drummond, Delany says that Russ is “slipping away” and has long had a “Do Not Resuscitate” on file."

Looks like we're about to lose another great woman writer.

Long before I became a feminist in any explicit way, I had turned from writing love stories about women in which women were losers, and adventure stories about men in which the men were winners, to writing adventure stories about a woman in which the woman won. It was one of the hardest things I ever did in my life.
— Joanna Russ

Finally, kindle has a book for this group read, which is interesting to me! I just downloaded Woman on the Edge of Time and will start reading it tonight!

V

Ooops! Just read the messages about bumping up the reading by a month. I'm enjoying Woman on the Edge of Time even though it sometimes feels didactic, especially since I just finished reading The Disposessed - some similar utopic ideas...

I'll look for the Joanna Russ and keep her in my thoughts as I do.

V

Welcome to vapplerlee--we aren't real strict on timelines here, so glad to have you reading!

It's time to start The Female Man by Joanna Russ. Tentative timeline: There are 9 "parts" so how about three parts per week for the first three weeks?

The discussion thread can be found at:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/115553

Well, I got totally bogged down in LeGuin, pulled the "wrong" book as next in order and, have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the romp of Gibbon's Decline and Fall. Okay, okay, I realize it's not a "romp," but compared to the LeGuin, it was a nice breeze. It's quite similar to The Group in its styling, although it has the overlay of "otherness" and I had a good time reading it.

Just thought I'd let you know, ronincats.

I'm glad you enjoyed it. I did too, and we will read it in another few months.

#109: I guess I'd say that I like Gibbon's Decline and Fall though I do find her black and white portrayal of characters a bit wearying after a while. As another reviewer said somewhere, "Every time I meet a male character who isn't a woman hater I feel like cheering." She isn't a particularly balanced writer in this regard - at least in my experience of the real world. However, she's talented enough as a writer that you can overlook the unfairness of her picture. I haven't read it in years but I think I'll be doing a joint read of it soon so I'll get a chance to see if my memory matches my current impressions.

Joanna Russ died a few weeks ago on 29 April 2011, I've just found her obituary in last Friday's Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/may/12/joanna-russ-obituary

Anyone interested in this month's book, The Handmaid's Tale?

I read it a while ago and would chime in from time to time if a discussion got going. Even though I haven't been able to read all the books, I have been interested to follow the discussions.

I've read The Handmaid's Tale and will happily join in a discussion, but I don't plan on rereading it.

I loved The Handmaid's Tale just don't have time to reread it right now. I remember when the movie came out there was an interview with some of the actors who talked about how hard they worked to make it true to the book. It wasn't quite, but got the idea. I guess movies can never be quite as devastating as the books they come from or they wouldn't be financially successful.

Shoot, now you have me wondering if I could find time to fit it in.

I haven't read The Handmaid's Tale in a while, but it's always worth a discussion, I think. I've finished, wildly out of order for the revised list, Gibbon's Decline and Fall and Woman on the Edge of Time. I've started The Female Man, but I'm afraid I'm deadlocked on LeGuin. Just not my cuppa.

That particular LeGuin was not "my cuppa" either. But the rest of the selections are geat.

Oh yea! Back on track (well, except for NOT finishing the LeGuin), because I finished The Female Man today. Interesting, hard to "get into" for me, and I'm a science fiction reader of many years, as well as feminist literature. Have to think about it. Loved the closing chapters, however, especially the math.

Just finished Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and was intrigued by her vision of three men (one the narrator) who land in an unknown land occupied solely by women. This is definitely different from Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper, and, considering the era in which she was writing, an amazing bit of "back atcha" writing for those men who were writing fantasies of the future and other worlds where women were, well, remarkably similar to the stereotypes of the day. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and, while it's not on the list, it's a fun short side trip.

And check this out:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/07/20/women.sci.fi.galactica/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

How sci-fi let women be in charge

is the title of the article

Thanks for posting the article, Laurie. It does focus exclusively on film and tv, but hey, those are important media too, right! ;-)

True, but you gotta take the credit where it's offered! LOL!

Did The Handmaid's Tale just lapse into regular reading or did I miss the link to the discussion thread?

It lapsed. I don't think anyone is doing it, not even me because I've been involved in the July Juvenile and YA challenge pretty heavily.

Ah, well I reread it, and, once again, thoroughly enjoyed it. I want to thank you for introducing me to Joanna Russ, Marge Piercy, and Sheri Tepper. I missed them when they were first published, being introduced mostly to the male authors of the time. I've looked for other works and very much enjoy them.

I know we kind of nixed this one, but if anyone would still like to read Monstrous Regiment at some point, I would join them.

I started Monstrous Regiment last week, and would certainly join into any discussion.

I'd love to re-read it - it was one of my favourite Pratchetts, partly because of the way he plays with the conventions around this particular subject matter - but I'm doing a gradual re-read through the whole lot in order and that one is about 20 books ahead of where I'm up to. But I shall follow any discussion with interest!

Finished Monstrous Regiment last week and it was fun. The style and rhythm of the book reminded me of the Asprin Myth novels I read many years ago. Having never read Pratchett, it was an interesting introduction to his work, but it was a nice standalone story.

Hello all,
I'm just exploring the outer reaches of the 75ers group and found this lovely looking thread. I'm keen to do some group reading, and I like the sound of the book lined up for September - plus it seems I can get hold of a used copy relatively cheaply on Amazon. So, is it still going ahead????