The Female Man

This is quite an unusual piece of writing. For those who turn to it expecting a science fiction novel, as I initially did, it may be quite a disappointment. There is indeed a rough outline of a science fiction plot hiding in there, but mostly it is an extremely ironic set of musings on the state of women in society, very pointed and frequently laugh-out-loud funny. So it might be more fitting to consider this as a work of philosophy, or social satire, or social analysis. At times it can be thoroughly confusing, with its disjointed narrative and ever-changing "I." It is simultaneously a brilliant exercise in exploring questions of feminist theory, and a rather poor excuse for a science fiction story. I had to read it through once just to get a grasp of what was going on. My second reading was sheer fun, and I suspect a third time would reveal even more. Once I relaxed my expectations of what was going on, and got over my confusion about who was speaking, I was able to thoroughly enjoy it! This is a piece of work crying out to be read, and reread, and reread again.