We Who Are About To...

We Who Are About To... is a 1977 science fiction novella that follows a group of space travelers who crash-land on an uninhabited planet. The story unfolds through audio diary entries recorded by an unnamed female narrator as she and her fellow survivors face their dire circumstances. The group must confront fundamental questions of survival, reproduction, and individual autonomy in their harsh new environment. With limited supplies and no technical expertise, tensions mount between those who want to establish a colony and the protagonist who sees their situation as hopeless. The narrative focuses on issues of power, gender dynamics, and the relationship between individual choice and group survival. Through its audio diary format, the book presents an intimate psychological portrait while exploring broader societal themes. This stark science fiction work challenges conventional genre tropes about human resilience and survival, instead examining questions about mortality, meaning, and the right to self-determination in extreme circumstances. It stands as a significant contribution to both feminist literature and science fiction.

Readers describe this as a dark, anti-romantic take on the standard space survival story. Many note it subverts expectations by rejecting common sci-fi tropes about colonization and survival. Positive reviews highlight: - The narrator's philosophical depth and unflinching perspective - Raw, realistic portrayal of group dynamics - Compact length that maintains tension - Challenge to typical sci-fi narratives Common criticisms: - Too bleak and nihilistic for some readers - Second half moves slowly - Characters besides narrator lack development - Some find the protagonist unlikeable or difficult to connect with Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (50+ ratings) One reader called it "a gut punch that forces you to question survival at any cost." Another noted it's "not for those seeking heroic adventure stories." Several reviews mention being unsettled but impressed by the book's uncompromising stance.

The Last Man by Mary Shelley A plague decimates humanity while the narrator chronicles the end through journal entries that question civilization's collapse and individual choice.

Solaris by Stanisław Lem A space station orbiting an alien planet becomes the setting for psychological introspection as the crew faces manifestations that challenge human understanding.

The Wall by Marlen Haushofer A woman's diary records her survival after an invisible wall isolates her in a mountain hunting lodge, forcing her to confront existence and mortality.

Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy A female protagonist trapped in an institution records encounters between dystopian present and utopian future while exploring bodily autonomy and social control.

The Book of Joan by Lidia Yuknavitch Space stations house survivors of Earth's destruction where resistance to reproduction mandates echoes themes of body politics and survival choices.

🚀 The novel was published in 1977, during a transformative period in feminist science fiction, alongside works by influential authors like Ursula K. Le Guin and James Tiptree Jr. 📚 Joanna Russ was not only a science fiction author but also a prominent feminist literary critic who wrote "How to Suppress Women's Writing," a groundbreaking work about gender bias in literature. 🎓 The audio diary format used in the book was innovative for its time and influenced later works in science fiction that experimented with found footage and recorded narrative styles. 🌟 The book deliberately subverts the "Robinson Crusoe in space" trope that was popular in science fiction during the 1950s and 60s, offering a stark critique of colonial narratives. 💫 Despite its relatively short length (around 120 pages), "We Who Are About To..." received the Nebula Award nomination in 1977 and has been cited as a significant influence on modern feminist science fiction.