Herland by Carlotte Gilman (book review)
I tend to look at MSN’s rolling subjects when it comes to Science Fiction in case there’s something I think they got wrong or I’ve missed. It gives a different perspective and I might even draw your attention to. ‘Herland’ by Carlotte Perkins Stetson Gilman, to use her full name on the cover is now out of copyright and there are several editions around. I picked on this one because of the cover of Ophilia by John William Waterhouse.
Information about Gilman is given only on the back cover, so did some research on the Internet. A feminist and social reformer, Gilman (1860-1935) wrote her seventh novel, ‘Herland’ in 1915.
Her story isn’t precise as to the setting but I get the impression its set in part of Africa. Three American young scientists, wealthy physicist Terry Nicholson, medical doctor Jeff Margave and sociologist and general scientist Vandyck Jennings, the latter is the first person perspective, join an expedition and hear of a society made up of women. The trio come back later to seek them out and find a society of women. They don’t get far before they are sedated and find themselves at a school where they are taught the language while they teach them theirs. Of course, they feel like prisoners as they aren’t allowed to go anywhere. There’s also the matter of how do these women breed until they are told about pathogenesis. Of course, they want to escape but from then on its spoiler.
I did find it odd that Gilman wrote this book from the male perspective but suspect that was the sign of the times and she needed a male audience to read it. We don’t really see how this society works or much of its activities and so easily falls under the hidden tribe stories. They certainly look more advanced than America at the time.\
For a 1915 book, it hasn’t aged that badly. The fact that women don’t need men is actually more acceptable today than when Gilman released this book. They aren’t man-hating monsters, just a female society who don’t really need men.
GF Willmetts
June 2025
(pub: Cathedral Classics/Aziloth Books, 2013. 115 page small enlarged paperback. Price: varies. ISBN: 978-1-909735-12-2)
check out website: https://azilothbooks.com/index.php/cathedral-classics
