A review by alexandr1ne
The Female Man, by Joanna Russ
2.0
I want to apologise for ever calling The Left Hand of Darkness disappointing. In fact, can I take it back? Statement redacted - I started off with the crème de la crème, the absolute peak of science fiction (not even feminist science fiction - science fiction as a whole!) and I had no idea how good I had it. Ursula K. Le Guin, I have always (since I discovered you in May 2022) professed my love for you, but even so, I’ve been taking you for granted. That's on me.
As a general rule, I don’t love to review books by comparing them to other books. I think it’s often (not always, but often) lazy, but more importantly, I don't think it's productive. Not unless you go into the specifics of why X is like Y, in what ways they differ, how they are alike and why the comparison is warranted, and at that point, why not leave the comparisons aside and just talk about the actual book instead?
So. Talking about The Female Man. Ironically, I think Joanna Russ actually does this best herself; there's an entire page interlude (141, if you're reading the same edition I did) where Russ lists, between ellipses, a number of critiques she's received on her work. These include "shrill... shapeless... no characterization, no plot... another shrill polemic... this pretense at a novel..." Etc, etc. Personally, I wouldn't call the author of a feminist sci-fi novel shrill or hysterical and expect my feedback to be taken seriously, but even so, preempting the critiques of your critics does not negate their criticism (say that ten times fast). It could be clever, if any of said critiques had been subverted in any meaningful way. However, they weren't.
A generous reviewer might call the structure of this novel post-modern. Others, including myself, would argue it has no structure at all. Characterisation, plot (linear or otherwise, I'm really not fussy), any semblance at all of a greater arc or story; these were all absent in The Female Man. There are certainly novels that shirk these prerequisites, opting for a more stream-of-consciousness approach - Woolf's philosophical prose comes to mind. But even for 1975, Russ's feminism is tired and unoriginal, her sci-fi boring and uninspired, and neither are strong enough to carry this formless project to the finish line.
Russ earns an extra star for the conclusion of this book, written from the narrator's (who may or may not be Joanna herself) perspective: "Do not get glum when you are no longer understood, little book. Do not curse your fate[...] Rejoice, little book! For on that day, we will be free." The idea, of course, is that when readers can no longer resonate with the experience of these protagonists, women must truly be free. I loved this quote: it encapsulates what, for me, the best and most relevant feminism is about. Not necessarily equality, which is an insubstantial and changeable concept, but true liberation.
Unfortunately, I think the beauty and relevance of this quote is the exception, rather than the rule. I was thoroughly underwhelmed by Russ's imagination, prose, and storytelling, and now that I've spoiled the best part, I would highly recommend you go read anything Le Guin instead.
As a general rule, I don’t love to review books by comparing them to other books. I think it’s often (not always, but often) lazy, but more importantly, I don't think it's productive. Not unless you go into the specifics of why X is like Y, in what ways they differ, how they are alike and why the comparison is warranted, and at that point, why not leave the comparisons aside and just talk about the actual book instead?
So. Talking about The Female Man. Ironically, I think Joanna Russ actually does this best herself; there's an entire page interlude (141, if you're reading the same edition I did) where Russ lists, between ellipses, a number of critiques she's received on her work. These include "shrill... shapeless... no characterization, no plot... another shrill polemic... this pretense at a novel..." Etc, etc. Personally, I wouldn't call the author of a feminist sci-fi novel shrill or hysterical and expect my feedback to be taken seriously, but even so, preempting the critiques of your critics does not negate their criticism (say that ten times fast). It could be clever, if any of said critiques had been subverted in any meaningful way. However, they weren't.
A generous reviewer might call the structure of this novel post-modern. Others, including myself, would argue it has no structure at all. Characterisation, plot (linear or otherwise, I'm really not fussy), any semblance at all of a greater arc or story; these were all absent in The Female Man. There are certainly novels that shirk these prerequisites, opting for a more stream-of-consciousness approach - Woolf's philosophical prose comes to mind. But even for 1975, Russ's feminism is tired and unoriginal, her sci-fi boring and uninspired, and neither are strong enough to carry this formless project to the finish line.
Russ earns an extra star for the conclusion of this book, written from the narrator's (who may or may not be Joanna herself) perspective: "Do not get glum when you are no longer understood, little book. Do not curse your fate[...] Rejoice, little book! For on that day, we will be free." The idea, of course, is that when readers can no longer resonate with the experience of these protagonists, women must truly be free. I loved this quote: it encapsulates what, for me, the best and most relevant feminism is about. Not necessarily equality, which is an insubstantial and changeable concept, but true liberation.
Unfortunately, I think the beauty and relevance of this quote is the exception, rather than the rule. I was thoroughly underwhelmed by Russ's imagination, prose, and storytelling, and now that I've spoiled the best part, I would highly recommend you go read anything Le Guin instead.