This book is often called a masterpiece of “feminist science fiction,” but I don’t think it stands as a piece of “science fiction” on its own. Ranting, even well-done and sometimes meaningfully ranting, does not a story make, and especially not the carefully knotted and cross-pinioned work that a science fiction masterpiece should be. For writing, story, and literary leanings, Woman on the Edge of Time was a far superior book. I don’t think I’m the best audience for feminist writing, anyway. Or confounded post-modern writing, I hate that: I would have had no clue what this story was about without having read Wikipedia!
Not that there weren’t thoughts and line I didn’t enjoy. One of many favorites: “If you want to be an assassin, you must decline all challenges. Showing off is not your job.” I did enjoy the last eighth of the book: Jael, the augmented assassin from the far future, her computerized home, and her boy-toy, Davy. Not only was it interesting and surreal, but I’m pretty sure Jael (Sweet Alice) might be the original Competent Woman, and the basis for the Steppin’ Razors in Neuromancer. Oh, and Russ taught at Clarion.
Once again. The chorus: ranting alone does not a story make.
Not that there weren’t thoughts and line I didn’t enjoy. One of many favorites: “If you want to be an assassin, you must decline all challenges. Showing off is not your job.” I did enjoy the last eighth of the book: Jael, the augmented assassin from the far future, her computerized home, and her boy-toy, Davy. Not only was it interesting and surreal, but I’m pretty sure Jael (Sweet Alice) might be the original Competent Woman, and the basis for the Steppin’ Razors in Neuromancer. Oh, and Russ taught at Clarion.
Once again. The chorus: ranting alone does not a story make.
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