A Spaceship Built of Stone and Other Stories

A Spaceship Built of Stone and Other Stories is a 1987 science fiction collection published by The Women's Press as part of their feminist science fiction series. The collection features ten stories, including Tuttle's controversial Nebula Award-winning tale "The Bone Flute," which she ultimately declined to accept. The stories range from short works to longer novellas, exploring themes of family dynamics, relationships, and identity through a science fiction lens. The collection includes well-known pieces like "The Family Monkey" and "The Hollow Man," alongside other works that appeared in various publications throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. These narratives blend elements of horror, science fiction, and psychological tension to examine human relationships and societal structures. The fusion of feminist perspectives with science fiction creates stories that challenge traditional genre conventions and social norms. The stories in this collection engage with broader themes of power, transformation, and the boundaries between human and alien experiences. Through these works, Tuttle examines how technology and social structures impact personal identity and interpersonal connections.

Readers note this short story collection has a feminist science fiction focus with psychological and horror elements. The stories explore themes of gender, relationships, and identity. Readers appreciate: - The emotional depth and character development - Original takes on familiar sci-fi concepts - The blending of sci-fi with psychological horror - The title story "A Spaceship Built of Stone" - "The Cure" and "The Family Monkey" are frequently mentioned as standouts Common criticisms: - Some stories feel dated in their 1980s feminist perspective - A few readers found the pacing slow - The horror elements are subtle rather than overt Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (48 ratings) Amazon: Not enough reviews for rating Review quotes: "Each story leaves you thinking long after it's done" - Goodreads reviewer "Strong character-driven stories with unique sci-fi angles" - SF Review "More focused on relationships than technology" - Strange Horizons review

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🌟 "The Bone Flute" made history when Lisa Tuttle became the first author to decline a Nebula Award nomination, doing so to protest what she viewed as unfair nomination practices. 🌟 Lisa Tuttle collaborated with George R.R. Martin on the novel "Windhaven" before either author achieved their greatest fame, marking an early partnership between two influential voices in speculative fiction. 🌟 The Women's Press, which published this collection, was a groundbreaking feminist publishing house in London that operated from 1978 to 1991, helping establish numerous female science fiction authors. 🌟 Many of the stories in this collection were originally published in prestigious magazines like "Amazing Stories" and "The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction" throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. 🌟 The collection's title story was inspired by anthropological studies of how different cultures develop technology, challenging traditional Western assumptions about the nature of technological progress.