Science Fiction Books Written by Women

Science fiction is one of the most popular genres within the literature. For many years, we have seen that there are great male authors who have become popular within the literary industry. For example, Jules Verne, Aldous Huxley, or Ray Bradbury, just to name a few prominent personalities.

However, what many people don't know is that the genre as we know it was invented by a woman. They also write about this subject… and they do it really well. Here are some of the women authors who have written great science fiction novels.

Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus (1818) by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

The English author is a precursor of the genre. Frankenstein became a true classic of literature… and its creator is a woman. The book tells the story of Victor Frankenstein: a scientist who manages to create a creature that will later reject him, something that gave rise to the gothic subgenre, with a memorable monster in cultural terms.

It became one of the classic books known by a whole generation, where topics such as scientific morality, the creation and destruction of life, and even religious links with God are touched upon. Undoubtedly, one of the novels you must read if you want to get into this genre.

Herland (1915) by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Of American origin, this woman generated one of the first utopias in history, especially in the field of feminism. Herland tells the story of an airplane that crashes in the jungles of South America, where we are introduced to a civilization dominated by women.

This work portrays some themes that are very present in our society: gender, maternity, sexuality, and even some issues related to the bonds within a community. Undoubtedly, another of the most important novels of science fiction, where we are shown an orderly vision of matriarchy.

The Left Hand of Darkness (1969) by Ursula K. Le Guin

The American author presented us with a novel that is quite controversial, as it deals with issues such as gender and sexuality from an extraterrestrial point of view. The story is about an Earthling who arrives on a planet known as Winter, a colony where the inhabitants have mutated into hermaphrodites.

All those who live on that planet are androgynous since they are biologically bisexual humans. In this way, this story allows us to delve into concepts of gender and see how science fiction can pose interesting situations, since one of the premises is that, since there is no sexual duality, there are no conflicts between "us" and "them."

Also read: UNMISSABLE 2021 POP ALBUMS IN YOUR FAVORITE PLAYLIST

Kalpa Imperial (1983) by Angélica Gorodischer

The Argentine writer created a story that brings together eleven stories that tell the history of the Vastest Empire That Never Existed. Dystopia is mixed with realism, but also novel with a short story, making it a must-read for those who want to approach an easy-to-read novel.

Although it contains several subplots, everything is handled in the same scenario: An Empire that was destroyed and rebuilt countless times, and everything comes back to life with new emperors and empresses. Ideal for those who fall in love with a literary universe and constantly want new stories about it, all with multiple possibilities.

The Handmaid's Tale (1985) by Margaret Atwood

One of the best known, due to its successful adaptation into a television series thanks to HBO. The Canadian writer makes a social criticism of a macho and religious dystopian society, where a theocratic military coup is carried out, after a crisis in which women are taken as servants by the upper classes.

In this way, the maids are taken as slaves of a house, who can have no social relations or rights. Simply, they have only one value: To give birth to new children in those families where women cannot beget. An essential play to see themes about abortion and machismo.

We hope you enjoyed getting to know some of these fantastic female sci-fi authors!