Consider Her Ways and Others

Consider Her Ways and Others is a 1961 collection of six science fiction stories by John Wyndham, ranging from short stories to novellas. The collection includes tales of time travel, alternate universes, supernatural encounters, and a future society without men. Each story centers on ordinary people who encounter extraordinary circumstances - from accidental demon summoning to time paradoxes to drug-induced future visions. The narratives focus on the human impact of these fantastic events rather than technical or scientific details. The title story "Consider Her Ways" follows a woman who wakes up in a transformed future society, while other standouts like "Random Quest" and "A Stitch in Time" explore themes of love and loss across different timelines and realities. These stories examine how individuals cope when faced with impossible situations, while questioning the nature of identity, free will, and the consequences of technological advancement. The collection demonstrates Wyndham's characteristic blend of speculative premises with grounded human drama.

Readers view this collection as thought-provoking but uneven, with the title novella receiving the most attention and praise. Many note that "Consider Her Ways" examines gender roles and societal structures in ways that remain relevant decades later. Readers appreciate: - The efficiency of Wyndham's writing style - Creative premises that explore social issues - The blend of sci-fi concepts with psychological elements Common criticisms: - The other stories feel less developed compared to the title novella - Some dated cultural references and attitudes - Abrupt or unsatisfying endings in several stories Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (80+ ratings) One reader on Goodreads noted: "The title story is worth the price alone - haunting and impossible to forget." Another commented: "Some stories feel like unfinished ideas rather than complete works."

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood A future society transforms into a female-dominated world through biological manipulation and social control.

The Female Man by Joanna Russ Four women from parallel worlds encounter different versions of female-centric societies and gender structures.

The Power by Naomi Alderman Women develop the ability to generate electrical charges, leading to a complete reversal of gender power dynamics in society.

Native Tongue by Suzette Haden Elgin Linguist women in a patriarchal future create a secret language to reclaim their autonomy and reshape their world.

Walk to the End of the World by Suzy McKee Charnas In a post-apocalyptic world, society divides into strict gender hierarchies with women serving as a subjugated class.

🔖 The title story "Consider Her Ways" was inspired by a passage from the Book of Proverbs about ants, reflecting Wyndham's interest in both biblical references and insect societies. 📚 Before writing under John Wyndham, the author published several works under his birth name John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris and other pen names including John Beynon and John Beynon Harris. 🌟 The collection was first published in 1961, during a period when Wyndham was already famous for "The Day of the Triffids" (1951) and "The Chrysalids" (1955). 🎬 Several of Wyndham's stories have been adapted for television and film, including "Random Quest" from this collection, which was adapted for BBC's "Out of the Unknown" series in 1969. 🖋️ Wyndham developed his distinctive style of "cozy catastrophe" writing while working in advertising and farming, only achieving major literary success in his 40s with "The Day of the Triffids."