Femtastic Lit: History’s 10 greatest sci-fi novels written by women
Despite the fact that women have helped shape science fiction from the beginning, female-penned novels are often mysteriously absent from the “Best-of” lists. There are many people that believe that women don’t (or even worse, can’t) write science fiction–which simply isn’t true. With this list, we celebrate some of the most influential and noteworthy sci-fi novels written by women.
1. Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, Mary Shelley (1818)
Frankenstein is widely considered to be one of the first examples of modern science fiction. The novel, created during a writing contest with contemporaries John Polidori, Lord Byron, and Percy Shelley, has undoubtedly had a major influence on both the sci-fi and horror genres, as well as popular culture. No science fiction list would be complete without it.
2. A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L’Engle (1962)
It might be a children’s book and begin with the cliche line “It was a dark and stormy night”, but L’Engle’s novel has probably introduced more young sci-fi fans to the genre than any other novel. For this reason alone it deserves to celebrated as one of the greatest ever.
3. Witch World, Andre Norton (1963)
Andre Norton was the first woman to do many things in the realm of science fiction, including being the first woman to be inducted by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. Of course the first novel of her expansive sci-fi/fantasy Witch World series needs to be included in our list–she is the Grande Dame of Science Fiction and Fantasy, after all.
4. The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin (1969)
This groundbreaking feminist novel, described as a “thought experiment” by its author, introduces us to a society in which ambisexual beings can change their sex at will. As Le Guin herself has commented, “I eliminated gender, to find out what was left. Whatever was left would be, presumably, simply human.” The Left Hand of Darkness has also won both a Hugo award and a Nebula award in the same year, which is no easy feat. It’s safe to say that it’s a classic.
5. The Female Man, Joanna Russ (1975)
This award-winning novel delves into both parallel worlds and the complexities of gender, namely the meaning of womanhood. Written at the height of the second-wave Feminist movement, The Female Man tends to have a polarizing effect on modern readers–some argue that it’s outdated, while others hold that it remains relevant.
6. Downbelow Station, CJ Cherryh (1981)
While this novel has won a Hugo award, it’s only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Cherryh’s vast series of future history novels that spans centuries. Downbelow Station is often thought to be the best starting point for someone wishing to dive into this classic space opera.
7. The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood (1985)
Although Atwood prefers to call her work “speculative fiction” rather than science fiction, The Handmaid’s Tale, in which a woman gives a chilling account of her life as a reproductive concubine in a dystopian world, is essential to our list. While most would agree that Atwood’s work is well-regarded, this novel is particularly esteemed and is widely considered to be one of the best (and most terrifying) sci-fi novels of all time.
8. Lilith’s Brood, Octavia E. Butler (1987-1989)
Because it’s an impossible task to choose only one Butler novel for our list, we’ve decided to go with Lilith’s Brood, which actually consists of three novels (Dawn, Adulthood Rites, and Imago) presented in one volume. The trilogy, also known as the Xenogenesis trilogy, details a dying Earth and the alien race that attempts to aid human survival through hybridization, while exploring complex themes of race, gender, and sexuality.
9. Doomsday Book, Connie Willis (1992)
Willis is one of the most celebrated contemporary sci-fi authors and she has the awards to prove it. Doomsday Book, one of her most well-known novels, features a protagonist that takes a journey through time in order to scientifically observe the past. She mistakenly becomes trapped in England during the Black Death, and the grim story unravels on two separate timelines with touches of Willis’ trademark humor.
10. Beggars in Spain, Nancy Kress (1994)
This novel set in the near future explores the effects of genetic engineering on society and the moral and philosophical issues that develop. Drawing from both Objectivism and Le Guin-influenced communism, Kress explores what might happen when part of the population no longer needs to sleep.
Honorable Mention:The Blazing World, Margaret Cavendish (1666)
While not exactly a sci-fi novel, The Blazing World is often considered to be an important precursor to the genre. The 17th century utopian tale blends sci-fi elements such as interplanetary travel, fantastic technologies, and scientific discovery with adventure, romance, and social commentary. Cavendish, an author, philosopher, and scientist, was certainly ahead of her time.
Now that we’ve shared 10 of the greatest novels that we think exemplify the amazing work that women have contributed to the male-dominated science fiction genre, we’d like to hear what you think. What novels did we miss that you think belong on our list? Let us know down below.
What about Justina Robson? Especially her far-future work “Natural History” ?
Why of Le Guin’s novels was the Left Hand of Darkness chosen over the Dispossessed? I wonder at the merit of the choice of her novels being made by the centrality of the exploration of gender. Regardless, they are both fantastic.
I agree, Paul, that The Dispossessed should have made the cut. Do I need to define my sexuality to validate my choice?
Paul – You typed a lot of words to say so very little. Why didn’t you just type “I don’t like gay people?”
That is a gross distortion of my question. I only wondered wether it was her best novel! I wanted to see both here!
i don’t give a shit about sexual orientation, but i will just type “I don’t like hypersensitive people creating conflict to defend their shallow sense of self-worth”
Bobby Jo, you wouldn’t know any Clarks, would you? I had a friend from years past named Bobby Jo who was gay. BTW, I can’t by any stretch of my imagination see how you would get what Paul wrote as saying he does not like gays.
Oh and BTW, I was surprised to find I had read all but the last book listed. I never thought of myself as much liking female SF authors, but I sure have read a lot of their material.
Katherine Burdekin’s sci-fi dystopia “Swastika Nights” written in 1937
After the Nazis win the impending war what would life be like in a 1000 year Reich many hundreds of years in the future?
a sharply observed and prescient satire on gender, sexuality knowledge and what it means to be human. A must read.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika_Night
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lois_McMaster_Bujold
Hugo Awards
Wins
“The Mountains of Mourning” (1990)
The Vor Game (1991)
Barrayar (1992)
Mirror Dance (1995)
Paladin of Souls (2004)
Nominations
Falling Free (1989)
Memory (1997)
A Civil Campaign (2000)
The Curse of Chalion (2002)
“Winterfair Gifts” (2005)
Cryoburn (2011)
Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance (2013)
Nebula Awards
Wins
Falling Free (1989)
“The Mountains of Mourning” (1990)
Paladin of Souls (2005)
Nominations
“Weatherman” (1991)
Barrayar (1992)
Memory (1998)
A Civil Campaign (2001)
Diplomatic Immunity (2004)
Locus Awards
Best Science Fiction Novel
Barrayar (1992)
Mirror Dance (1995)
Best Fantasy Novel
Paladin of Souls (2004)
Looking for this exactly – Bujold should have been first.
Yep.
Don’t forget “Canopus in Argos: Archives” by Doris Lessing
Marge Piercy – Woman on the edge of Time
Also Marge Piercy;s Body of Glass (published in the US as He, She and It.)
Not to mention Woman on the Edge of Time!
Also, Benefits – Zoe Fairbairns
What? Where’s C.L. Moore and Leigh Brackett? Anne McCaffrey? Pamela.Sargent? Hmmm?
While James Tiptree Junior is not best-known for her novels, but I’d argue that her short stories are so amazing that any article on women in science fiction should give her at least an honorable mention. Her work is just fantastic, even the lesser-known novel _Brightness Falls from the Air_.
Sherri Tepper should be on the list for sure.
I was just going to comment that! Sherri S Tepper I thought for sure would be there.
McCaffrey anyone?
It is a travesty she was left off this list.
Yes she should definitely been in the list!
What about “The Snow Queen” by Joan D. Vinge?
What about Kage Baker and the Company?
Thanks for your opinion.
Why no Marion Zimmer Bradley? Her Darkover novels are brilliant.
Well, her child abuse and molestation leaves a sour taste in most mouths. Seriously: She could write but she was a monster.
MZB has been put in Coventry for what has come out in recent years about certain activities, her and her husband did.
Some great tips for authors I’d not discovered. Thanks all.
“There are many people that believe that women don’t (or even worse, can’t) write science fiction–which simply isn’t true.”
How many? Please cite the source for this claim.
Kathleen,
On what do you base your claim that “many people that believe that women don’t (or even worse, can’t) write science fiction”. Honest question…I’d really like to know.
“Halfway Human”, by Carolyn Ives Gilman, is a spectacular novel about a refugee from a world that has female, male and genderless people, called Blands, who are slaves of their gendered masters. It’s a thoughtful and suspenseful novel, even if the suspense is entirely emotional in nature. It’s one of my indispensable books, and would be even if it wasn’t signed by the author.
I would choose Willis’ Bellwether over Doomsday Book.
Elizabeth Moon. Jacqueline Lichtenberg. C.J. Cherryh. Leigh Brackett. C.L. Moore. All of those have impressed me more than some of the above.
Diane Duane, for her early contributions to Star Trek – particularly My Enemy, My Ally.
A.C. Crispin, likewise for early contributions to Star Trek – particularly Yesterday’s Son.
Janet Kagan, for Hellspark
Lois Bujold, as already mentioned, for the Vorkisigan saga, but particularly for Falling Free
Ann Lecke, for the Imperial Radch trilogy.
Vonda McIntyre, for Dreamsnake
Susan R. Matthews for An Exchange of Hostages – grim as heck, but well executed
Anne McCaffrey for Crystal Singer
Robin McKinley for Fool’s Run
And yet Zenna Henderson’s “People” stories (which combine into one of the most coherent narratives ever, make any of these novels look like CRAP.
Zenna Henderson – not a novelist, but her People stories had wonderful internal consistency, and followed a story arc. Yes, not a novel, but well over a novel’s worth of words. See _Ingathering: The Complete People Stories_ from NESFA Press.
Doris Lessing : Canopus in Argos: Archives
Who picked that inappropriate illustration?
Tanith Lee’s “Don’t Bite the Sun”
I never heard of 4 of those 10, Heard of, but not read another. Read and enjoyed all the rest