Karen Lamb asked Craig Robertson:

I love John Scalzi and Andy Weir partly for their great, varied and numerous female characters. I was disappointed by The Forever in this respect. It really seemed old-fashioned that all characters were male - except for love interests and sex workers. There was one female alien, but sadly her species had the intelligence of a 5 year old. Did I give up too soon (I only read half)? Is there another book I should try?

Craig Robertson Thank you for your thoughtful observations. Let me state absolutely from the start I'm on your side with this. By that, I mean I believe passionately in women's rights and their freedom from male persecution. It's a sad world we live in in that regard.
I also have an author's opinion on males writing female characters. Most major females written by males are just that: male versions of what a woman is like.
That said, yes, you gave up too soon. Jon is cocky and a "dude" but he's also as passionately aware of everyone's rights. Like any 1960s TV dad, sure, he doesn't get it all the time. But in the end he gets it right.
I tried, as best a male could, to make his wife, an alien, a strong female character. But I also never tried to make her the driving force, because I do not think I can write women correctly.
Throughout the series there are strong women. President Amanda Walker, a special ops soldier, Jon's future wifes, even a tough old barkeep. Many reviews say the book's misogynistic. That's just haters spewing. Mostly they are trumpers mad about one tiny slight against trump. I poke at a few politicians in the first few books. None of those trumpers even notice I published the prediction about his election before the elections.
I would challenge you this. Read books 1 and 2. Then tell me if I'm right or not. Email me at contact@craigarobertson and I'll gift you a Kindle version of book 2.
Thanks again for asking before hammering me. I'm one of the good guys. Trust me, I'm an author ; )

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