Rating: 
Summary: I tried, I really tried, but I couldn't....
Review: Science Fiction? Yeah! Feminism? Good! Joanna Russ? I think I like her... So I bought the book and made a real effort, but halfway through I just gave up. I couldn't, for the life of me, figure this book out. Sorry.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best science-fiction novels ever written.
Review: Seldom , if ever, I have a read a book that deals so skillfully with the pain that sociecity gives us. It is supposed to be about being a woman, actually it is about being human.
Rating:
Summary: The Female Man
Review: The "Female Man" by Joanna Russ, is a very intriguing and stimulating form of science fiction that any feminist would enjoy. Even any young woman would find this book as an eye opener to the manner in which society views woman. This book made me think twice about how women are perceived and what society expects from them. The use of technology, hyper-reality, and transcendence really pull through to place this novel as a form of great science fiction. I think the reason I found this book so interesting is because it's not the usually male dominated science fiction. In the "Female Man" woman are not second class, they are woman. I think that many who read this will have difficulty understanding the manner in which Russ writes, but once one is able to get beyond the style of writing, the theme and message is truly a good example of how woman are perceived with power and without power. The characters within the story each represent a part of society that exist and what could exist for woman. Many may think that this novel is for man-hating woman who are set to rule the world, but that is not the case at all. Russ provides an alternative approach to feminism, where woman do not despise men, they just do not feel that they of a lesser class or feel the need to survive with men. I highly recommend this book, the theme behind the stories of each character will surely keeping the reader wanting to know more.
Rating:
Summary: It's not a novel, it's more of a screed
Review: The disappointing thing about The Female Man is not that it's an undistilled feminist statement. It's that it's a statement which is masquerading as a novel. But it's not a novel; it's a collection of vignettes, screeds, slogans and observations. In this book you'll find not a hint of plot, and only the bare bones of characters. There's no excitement, no tension, and no resolution. It's not a story.I can put aside the dated feel of the text and the expressions, and even the fact that it's only trying to point out problems rather than provide solutions. What I can't dodge is the sheer pointlessness of the narrative. While it is (barely) creative in a science-fictional sense (although its SFnal ideas are simple and cliche today), it has no interest in entertaining. None at all. This book might be required reading for someone, but clearly I'm not that someone. It neither entertained me nor edified me. If you're expecting anything ground-breaking or entertaining in this book, I suggest you look elsewhere instead.
Rating:
Summary: It's not a novel, it's more of a screed
Review: The disappointing thing about The Female Man is not that it's an undistilled feminist statement. It's that it's a statement which is masquerading as a novel. But it's not a novel; it's a collection of vignettes, screeds, slogans and observations. In this book you'll find not a hint of plot, and only the bare bones of characters. There's no excitement, no tension, and no resolution. It's not a story. I can put aside the dated feel of the text and the expressions, and even the fact that it's only trying to point out problems rather than provide solutions. What I can't dodge is the sheer pointlessness of the narrative. While it is (barely) creative in a science-fictional sense (although its SFnal ideas are simple and cliche today), it has no interest in entertaining. None at all. This book might be required reading for someone, but clearly I'm not that someone. It neither entertained me nor edified me. If you're expecting anything ground-breaking or entertaining in this book, I suggest you look elsewhere instead.
Rating:
Summary: Don't bother
Review: The Female Man by Joanna Russ is a great work of science fiction. This is a very good book but I do not believe that everyone will find it interesting. Russ is very feministic and this can be upsetting for others, especially male readers. I was assigned to read this book for a class and was optimistic about reading it at first. I was surprised to find that it actually is a good book and well worth reading. The story is based around the three main characters--Joanna, Jeannine, and Janet. All three are from alternate realities and planets. Joanna is from a planet much like our own. Jeannine lives on a planet that is still stuck in the time of the Depression. Janet lives on a plent called Whileaway where man no longer exists. The plot is based on their lives and relationships with men. Making sure to highlight everything about men that they see as inferior. Russ' writing style may seem somewhat confusing at first as she skips between character and narrator, but it is easy to quickly catch on. This is definately a great work of science fiction despite Russ' feminist views. I recommend it to everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: The Female Man
Review: The Female Man by Joanna Russ is a great work of science fiction. This is a very good book but I do not believe that everyone will find it interesting. Russ is very feministic and this can be upsetting for others, especially male readers. I was assigned to read this book for a class and was optimistic about reading it at first. I was surprised to find that it actually is a good book and well worth reading. The story is based around the three main characters--Joanna, Jeannine, and Janet. All three are from alternate realities and planets. Joanna is from a planet much like our own. Jeannine lives on a planet that is still stuck in the time of the Depression. Janet lives on a plent called Whileaway where man no longer exists. The plot is based on their lives and relationships with men. Making sure to highlight everything about men that they see as inferior. Russ' writing style may seem somewhat confusing at first as she skips between character and narrator, but it is easy to quickly catch on. This is definately a great work of science fiction despite Russ' feminist views. I recommend it to everyone.
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Summary: Men! Read this book while there's still time!
Review: THE FEMALE MAN is a demanding read: don't expect a light-hearted romp through alternate realities. Do expect a stylistic and political challenge. Though Russ's "experimental" style may mystify ungenerous (read: lazy) readers, the surface difficulties should not overly disturb anyone who seeks the book out for its inherent merit, rather than to find an "ur-Molly Millions"-character. Another quick note: plan to re-read, several times. Russ, here, creates a deeply-layered story that analyzes language-as-oppression in patriarchal society. Sound fun? Dive right in. One time through left me (man that I am) merely dazed, but this is Russ at her best: deserving of much thought and appreciation.
Rating: 
Summary: The Confused Female
Review: The Female Man is rather interesting science fiction novel. That is not saying that is good novel, but it is one that makes you think about things. The author herself, Joanna Russ, is one of the most well known feminist writers around. Hence, making the man's role in this novel pretty much nonexistent. The novel is based on four women's lives and involves a special place called Wileaway. A place in which the entire male population has been destroyed and no longer exists. The interesting thing about this factor is that no one from Wileaway seems to mind this one bit. They continue to go with their lives marry each other and taking care of their children and working at the same time. The four women in the novel come together from all different areas and backgrounds. Once they are all four together, they each teach each other different things from where they come from. Janet is the one woman from Wileaway and first meets up with Jeannine, a librarian. Jeannine tries to associate Janet with the way in the world works. Needless to say this is the most interesting part of the novel, to read about Jeannine trying to teach Janet how to act in public, how to dress and that she should be looking to date a male not a female. Overall, this book was an ok novel. If you are a feminist, then I know that you will enjoy more than those who are not. Males, sorry but I don't think that you will find this one too good. The one thing that would change about the book would be the fact that it jumps around so much. In each part the author jumps in between character at least ten to twelve times, without telling the reader that she is switching or whom she is switching too. Other than that I enjoyed the book, but don't think I would read anymore of Joanna Russ' novels.
Rating:
Summary: If you are a woman, read this book!!! (and if you're a man!)
Review: This book is a fantastic foray into the mind of feminist author Joanna Russ. The book is about four women living in different versions of the same world. It gets tricky, but it's worth it! The chapters jump around in, at first, a nonsensical order, but about a quarter into it, it clicks, and the rest is smooth sailing. Some of the chapters are written in Russ's own voice, and are written as a kind of stream-of-consciousness prose proclaiming her feelings and attitude toward women and men and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) differences between them. It is a fascinating book that will open some eyes, and touch you deeply. I urge everyone to read this book, regardless or sex or gender. There is not a person alive who would not benefit from it.
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