Theodore Sturgeon

[lydy]

I've been reading a bunch of Theodore Sturgeon lately. I mostly remember him for _More Than Human_. He wrote mostly short stories, many many of them. I find that I'm very grateful I wasn't alive in the Fifties. He has a terrible view of men. His men are nasty, mean, jealous, and incapable of having equal relationships. It doesn't appear that he approves of this, indeed I get the impression that he doesn't. But he takes it for granted. His women are thin, often lack agency, and are always in reference to a man. It's very strange. Heinlein's view of both women and men is kinder, more optimistic. Isn't Sturgeon supposed to be the hippie and Heinlein the fascist? Ok, Heinlein was never a fascist. But I find the contrast startling, and not in a good way.

Comments

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Did you read "The Dreaming Jewels" lately? I always found jarring that one section where he denigrates Zena as (IIRC) being small and weak, when every other description of her actions is practically heroic. It's like he wanted to force her into the mold you describe.

K.

[lydy.livejournal.com]

I haven't gotten to The Dreaming Jewels yet. It's been a long time since I read it. I'll look out for that when I do read it.