Today’s rather late helping of women writers of science fiction and fantasy includes a short story from Sarah Thomas and a novel from Megan Whalen Turner. I had intended to include Sheri Tepper, but it seems I left the library without The Margarets, which I’ve been wanting to read for a while. Distraction is inherent in going to the library with both kids, I guess. Thus, only two authors for this post. If you want to recommend other works by these authors, or suggest other authors for me to try, please feel free to do so in the comments.
“The Economy of Vacuum” by Sarah Thomas
Virginia lives alone in a moon base, a unique mission to explore sustainability of life in space. Her life has two complications: it’s hard to stay mentally stable all by oneself, and the world’s political situation isn’t very stable, either. Thomas creates a strong story, exploring the parallels in the breakdown of a person and the breakdown of a society. I can’t say that I identify with her characters, but they are understandable. Definitely a strong story, where the description and the theme are more important than the specific people.
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
The beginning of this book almost lost me because there is just so much description. The details of the cell, of the layout of the prison, even of the chains binding the character just seemed to be too much. However, the world is well crafted, and Gen is clever and proud. I wish I could say I loved the book, but I can’t, although I would be willing to pick up another of Turner’s books.
Find Megan Whalen Turner online at meganwhalenturner.org.
