Changing Women

Woman of the Iron People #2

by Eleanor Arnason

The second half of the hardback originally published as "A Woman of the Iron People"

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Fiction

262 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 1992

About the author

Eleanor Atwood Arnason (born 1942) is an American author of science fiction novels and short stories. From 1949 to 1961, Arnason and her parents lived in "Idea House #2," a futuristic dwelling built by the Walker Art Center. Arnason's earliest published story appeared in New Worlds in 1972. Her work often depicts cultural change and conflict, usually from the viewpoint of characters who cannot or will not live by their own societies' rules.

Reviews

[Althea Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I knew of a list of all the books that Ursula K. Le Guin has ever personally recommended, blurbed, or otherwise endorsed, because she’s pretty much always spot-on. I got this book because of her blurb, and was delighted by it – and surprised that I hadn’t heard of it previously. I’m going to blame poor marketing. I’m also going to give Part One of the paperback edition of this book (A Woman of the Iron People is one book; split into two paperbacks as part of that poor marketing) this year’s award for Most Ridiculously Inappropriate Cover. Check out that lady with the boobs holding a skull! In front of a tall stone tower! With a spaceship in the sky!

I presume that the cover is supposed to depict one of the main characters, an anthropologist. The character in question is ethnically Chinese, describes herself as being more flat-chested than average for a human female, and at no point does she wear a silly fashion bustier, nor does she hold a skull. OK, at one point a character does get his skull bashed in, but said skull does not get removed from his head. There is also a ‘tower’ in the story. It’s a primitive structure fashioned from reeds and organic materials. And there is a spaceship, although the one pictured doesn’t match the description provided. Sigh. The cover for the second half isn’t quite as egregiously random, but it’s not great, either. (Yes, the alien people are furry – but their fur is a slick pelt, like otters, and they have a thick, stocky build, like bears. They also wear clothes and don’t dance around naked, as pictured.)

Ignore the covers, and just get to the story. A criticism that the book could be more tightly plotted might have some validity. It can be a bit meandering. But I still loved it. (Maureen McHugh gets that kind of criticism, and I love her too.) If you’re interested in a first contact story with a strong anthropological focus, which concentrates on the gradual process of two very different women coming to understand each other – this is a book for you.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m actually surprised I really liked this? Especially since the first book was so frustrating, more like a random travelogue - and the first part of this one is like that too, but when Lixia and Derek are reunited with their people, all of a sudden there’s this deep examination of ethical exploration and potential colonization. I don’t want to spoil it but it moves in a direction between the Earth and native people I didn’t expect, and there’s even a twist that the Earth folks have to deal with that changes their relationship to this planet and its people.

The writing and dialogue style is still pretty plain and staccato, and the end is SUPER open and vague, and a bit unsatisfying because of it. Nonetheless this book is a bunch better than the first. Now I can see why it gets on lists and is remembered when so much sci-fi written by women in the 80s is forgotten.

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the first book which was a quiet story about the interactions of two human explorers and two alien outcasts. I did not find this book to be nearly as good. Most of the story takes place in the camp the humans have set up, and the characters get lost in the philosophical discussions and politics. In the end, the conclusion was basically happening off stage which was very unsatisfying.

This is the final half of a series that is sometimes published as one book and sometimes as two.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book (these two books) BUT things start to drag a bit in the first half of the second volume and a bit of skimming won't hurt. DO start reading more closely halfway through this second volume, and ponder the brilliantly structured and downplayed ending.

Really clear prose, thoughtful presentation of two groups of aliens who are about to have their world changed: the pre-industrial natives of the planet and the socialist crew of an earth starship.

Hard technical science fiction with the earth tech and hard social science fiction with the humans and aliens. Really a tour de force that fans of Le Guin, Robinson, and Wolfe should enjoy.