This collection is a nice introduction to the works of Joanna Russ. The works are printed in large, easy-to-read text so they are easily accessible in one volume, so the reader does not need to purchase separate paperback copies which are sometimes older and have small print and margins.

I am not reviewing the content of Russ' work here, as it was already published long ago and I think a collection like this would appeal most to people who are already fans of her writing.

This Library of America edition of Joanna Russ's work is welcome and frustratingly insufficient. Russ, one of the classic feminist writers who remade science fiction in the 70s, is characterized by wit, sharpness, humor, impatience, and rage; the rage is what very many of her offended interlocutors focused on, which is ironic, given the amount of violence in their own novels. Equally notable, however, are the stylistic experimentation, metafictional (and metaphysical) disruptions, and pyrotechnic prose.

Feminism is the organizing logic of her work: an explicitly Marxist feminism with a cutting analysis of capital and power. <i>How to Suppress Women's Writing</i> (1983), her scathing critique of the rhetorical methods of patriarchal erasure of women writers, is greatly indebted to Tillie Olsen's <i>Silences</i> (1978), which investigated the effects of class and hidden domestic labor on the output of women writers; her fiction depicts financial and emotional dependence as intertwined. Despite this, much of her work shows the same limitations as much other ground-breaking second-wave feminist work: a lack of, or only limited awareness of, intersectionality, particularly regarding race and gender identity.

Joanna Russ was a pioneer in bringing a feminist perspective to science fiction, and this collection contains some of her best novels and stories. Best known for the Female Man (included), this edition also gives us 'We Who Are About To' (the ultimate response to all of the "New Eden" stories you've ever read) and 'On Strike Against God', Russ's " coming out" novel. All three are fine stories and well worth reading.

Also included are the complete "Alyx" stories - Russ's more or less take on sword and sorcery, along with a couple of additional stories, one of which is the excellent 'Souls'. I actually enjoyed the stories more than the novels: 'Souls' and 'Picnic on Paradise' are genuine classics, and 'Game of Vlet' is very close.

The Library of America does fabulous work; their books are always thoughtfully assembled, high-quality productions, and their work to preserve and package American Literature is essential.

It's Joanna Russ in a lovely edition, what more is there to say except, why did it take this long? Next, let's get "How to Suppress Women's Writing" in a Library of America edition.

These works of Russ, while important, just don't hold up well. They are often tedious, despite the interesting ideas that undergird them, long and in need of trimming. But they are of a period and they represent the 1970s well in terms of SFF and queer writing, and will be of use to scholars and folks who enjoy this kind of writing more than I do.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the Library of America for an advance copy of this new collection by a writer who was both ahead of the times, and not afraid to be, in both science fiction writing, criticism, and in life.

I remember being in a cool bookstore, years ago, and looking at this one shelf that had the a bunch of thick books, all in black with a font that caught the eye and made one know these were important books. At this time I was working in a chain book store, in a strip mall, and my knowledge of books was I knew who published Executioner novels, and Star Trek, but otherwise I was still learning. Looking at that collection the names on the books never in my mind would I have thought that within my lifetime they would have genre writers. I love to be proven wrong. And what a writer to include. A feminist science fiction writer, part of the new wave, who fought the entrenched system that was science fiction at the time, creating magnificent works and criticism. Joanna Russ: Novels & Stories features many of Russ's best known works, and short stories, along with an essay that serves as both a biography and look at the making of many of Russ's works.

The book begins with The Female Man, one of Russ's more popular works that was published in the beginning of the 1970's. The novel was one of the first to include the idea of parallel worlds, something that is almost old hat today, but the use of this idea tells quite a story. Four women, all with similar names visit each other on different worlds, and see how women are treated on each one. The fact that one of the characters is names Joanna might give some clues to what is going on in the story, which sadly is just as strong and as full of meaning now as it was back than. We Who Are About To... is a story about a group of people stranded on an alien world, narrated by the one woman among them. The story is told through audio transcripts, and is a pretty shocking and nasty piece in some places. There are some short stories, along with a complete compiling of the Alyx stories, about a criminal who is brought in by the Trans-Temporal Authority, mixing both sword and sorcery and science fiction. I had never read these stories but I think I like them the most of all.

The works don't have the odd science fiction feel that some early works do. That removed writing style where the science is more important than characters or story. Probably because the works are so unique and though using a lot of popular tropes, approach the story from a different view. Russ's was known for butting heads with many of the people in science fiction at the time, and I can see where the men's club that was sci-fi would have been a little mean girls. Russ is considered more with the New Wave writers, and I could also see where Russ being a college professor would help give stories a little bit more of a feeling to what was happening in society.

Looking at the shelves of science fiction I never thought years ago that I would see so many diverse and different names, people from different cultures, women, non-binary all sharing space on the bookcase. Giving support to those who came before is important and necessary and I thank Library of America for making such a fine collection. Especially for such a great writer.

A fantastic collection of the best work from a foundational female sci-fi writer and feminist fiction critic, this is an outstanding jumping-off place for anyone unfamiliar with Joanna Russ, or anyone who's read her work but wants to gobble up more. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this wonderful collection.

Worthwhile and important collection.
I confess that I had hoped this might be a "complete works of Joanna Russ," though on reflection the idea probably wasn't all that realistic. As it is, LOA has put together a collection that gathers Russ' most influential work in one place: The Female Man, We Who Are About To, On Strike Against God, The Complete Alyx Stories (Bluestocking, I Thought She Was Afeard Till She Stroked My Beard, The Barbarian, Picnic on Paradise, The Second Inquisition, A Game of Vlet), and the stories "When it Changed" and "Souls." Before encountering this collection I had read all except On Strike Against God, and that one didn't disappoint. I'm a fan of Joanna Russ, so while I'm not, strictly speaking, an unbiased reviewer, I am delighted with the collection LOA has pulled together into one volume. Thanks to Library of America and Netgalley for sharing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. It was such a treat to encounter Joanna Russ's work. I'm ashamed to admit I've never heard of or encountered her texts before. That's why the Library of America's edition of her work is so important. The texts were written at a time when the Women's Liberation Movement was in full force, and Russ's writing was a response and continuation of that movement.

Throughout Russ's writing, gender is an important part of her focus. Russ sees childbirth and reproduction as harming women and creative a negative world. Read within the context of the women's movement, these texts feel rightfully angry at a world that privileges white men over everyone else. Russ's work would be revolutionary even today because she makes readers examine what it means to be a woman in a society that doesn't appear to like them very much. I'm thrilled I got to read this collection of her work.

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

I was not familiar with Ms. Russ' work but am glad for the introduction. You can finish the book in one sitting by binge reading. The stories range in depth and emotive bearing. Some are light while others provoke deep thought. This book would be a welcome edition to feminist or LGBT college course syllabi.

This book was my introduction to Joanna Russ, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommended to feminists who like sci-fi.

This book is lengthy! I know it’s a collection of novels and stories, but definitely prepare yourself before reading. This is a book you should take your time with and enjoy. Russ’ best work is on display in this collection and it’s a lovely way to revisit her writing.

Joanna Russ is a 1975 Hugo award nominee and this is a staggering collection of one of Science Fictions most prominent feminist authors. Joanna Russ threw her hat into a very big world of science fiction and succeeded in catching the attention of fans and readers across the world. A tale which can't be digested in a few minutes, it's a mind bending, thought provoking piece of work with profound messages throughout. Along with the novel, there are several other collections and the book does a stellar job in showcasing her work. A great science fiction book, welcome on any fans shelf and a great buy.

I was not able to consult the ebook. I am however still thinking to have Russ on the curriculum as I know some of her other works.