Kicking Against the Pricks. "The Battle of the Sexes in Science Fiction" by Justine Larbalestier. [review]

Abstract

"The Battle of the Sexes" is a book about a literary genre's development, that genre having several unique features. Once literary criticism of SF was defensive, justifying its existence; now presses such as Wesleyan issue science fiction 'classics'. Similarly, studies of SF have now moved beyond the literature to the cultural context of the genre. "The Battle of the Sexes" is about writing and also reading, and the relationship between SF fans and their favourite literature. As Larbalestier shows, one aspect of this interaction was gender; and it was something about which the readership (male and female) could be highly critical.