The Female Man (1975) by Joanna Russ, in its 1994 Easton Press edition, is a landmark of feminist science fiction, presented as a deluxe collector’s volume. This fiercely intellectual and experimental novel intertwines the lives of four women from parallel universes—including Jeannine, trapped in a 1930s-style Depression; Joanna, a 1970s academic navigating sexism; and Janet, from the all-female utopia Whileaway—to dissect gender, power, and the very construction of identity. Russ’s razor-sharp prose shifts between satire, manifesto, and fragmented narrative, challenging patriarchal norms with searing wit.
The Easton Press edition (part of their Masterpieces of Science Fiction series) elevates this radical text with full leather binding, 22k gold accents, moiré endpapers, and archival-quality paper, marrying the book’s revolutionary content with heirloom craftsmanship. A striking contrast to its original pulp paperback roots, this edition underscores Russ’s status as a genre-defying visionary.
