About the Author

Joanna Russ, best known for her novel The Female Man, is a prolific author who is universally regarded as one of the finest science fiction novelists of the past 50 years. She combines a feminist perspective with a sophisticated style.

Reviews

"Perhaps the most subtle, complex, and exciting science fiction novel ever written about the attempt to survive a hostile alien environment. It is characteristic of Russ's genius that her most sheerly readable novel is also one of her most intellectually intricate."--Carl Freedman, author of Critical Theory and Science Fiction

"We Who Are About To is a seminal work that punctures many science fiction myths; it is about the hubris of humanity and the imperialist mission. It reminds us that maybe we aren't necessary, that the imperative to keep reproducing is irrational.""--Farah Mendlesohn, editor of Foundation: The International Review of Science Fiction

"Perhaps the most subtle, complex, and exciting science fiction novel ever written about the attempt to survive a hostile alien environment. It is characteristic of Russ's genius that her most sheerly readable novel is also one of her most intellectually intricate."--Carl Freedman, author of Critical Theory and Science Fiction

"This is an important science fiction novel."--The New York Times Book Review

"Despite her small output - five novels, four short story collection and a novella - Russ's achievement was huge. Noted for her contribution to feminist science fiction, Russ's power also lies in her critique of the science fiction dream, particularly immortality among the stars."--BBC Radio 4, Seriously "10 Women Who Changed Science Fiction," web tie-in to Herland radio documentary

"Wesleyan University Press, fortunately, has seen fit to reissue [We Who Are About To...] in a handsome trade-paperback edition. ... This is an important book. Read it afresh and let it speak to you."--New York Review of Science Fiction

"If this were a film it could be one of Peckinpah's, violent, self-indulgent, obsessively contemptuous of humanity, nihilistic and fascinating."--Publishers Weekly

"This is an important science fiction novel."--The New York Times Book Review

"One of the pioneers and luminaries of women's science fiction!"--K.A. Laity, MS. Magazine