Found: Forgotten/lost Earth sci-fi novel set in a matriarchal society

Hi everyone,

I used to read a lot of sci-fi late 90s and remember there was a book, set on a planet with (I think) a matriarchal society. Young men were supposed to be schooled by women in uh, "intimate matters". In the family of main characters, one of the sons was supposedly "teaching" his instructor a bit more instead.

Maybe it's a bit odd to lead with that as the detail I remember most, but... adolescent minds... :D (My wife says I still have one :o)

I think the story arc was about the discovery of some lost information or technology, leading people to realise they originated from a different home world. I believe by the end of the novel there were plans to venture off-world to rediscover Earth.

I appreciate your time and any help. Cheers!

This sounds like possibly The Memory of Earth by Orson Scott Card which is the first book in the Homecoming Saga

This is set in a matriarch led society and yes, there are examples of such intimate education as you have indicated (more below).

There is hidden/forbidden technology and at the end there is a plan to travel back to earth.

At Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Memory_of_Earth#:~:text=The%20Memory%20of%20Ea....

"Volemak's "auntie" (a woman assigned to a boy as he hits puberty, to teach him about sex through example) and, by him, the mother of Elemak."

Thank you beichst! I really appreciate your help. Seeing the cover art on wikipedia helped jog a few memories as well.

I hope you have a very happy week, cheers!

@crumpetsandhoney. Great to hear this was it. I hope you enjoy your week as well. Happy reading!