Picnic on ParadiseA new kind of sci-fi heroine, the tough-as-nails Alyx, is introduced in this Nebula Award finalist that Poul Anderson called an “extraordinary” novel. Set in a semi-utopian world, Joanna Russ’s groundbreaking debut novel is the story of Alyx, a female soldier, survival guide, and agent of the Trans-Temporal Authority. Displaced in time from her ancient Greece, Alyx is tasked with safely leading a group of pampered human vacationers—including some unconventional nuns and a detached teenager known as the Machine—across an uninhabited scenic terrain to a relief station. But the journey proves more challenging than anticipated as they confront one another’s failings; the physical dangers of an icy, hostile wilderness; and Alyx’s own personal demons. Long before the kick-ass heroines of current science fiction and fantasy, Russ unapologetically introduced readers to a short, strong, middle-aged (for her world/time) woman of twenty-six who knows how to survive but struggles with the emotional nuances of her charges and the confusion of her own mixed feelings. With iconic characters like Alyx, Russ “four decades ago helped deliver science fiction into the hands of the most alien creatures the genre had yet seen—women . . . [and] helped inaugurate the now flourishing tradition of feminist science fiction” (The New York Times). |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 17
Page
... lieutenant, who was two meters and a third tall, or three heads more than herself, very handsome and ebony- skinned, said, “I'm sorry, ma'am, but I cannot believe you're the proper Trans-Temporal Agent; I think—” and he finished his ...
... lieutenant, who was two meters and a third tall, or three heads more than herself, very handsome and ebony- skinned, said, “I'm sorry, ma'am, but I cannot believe you're the proper Trans-Temporal Agent; I think—” and he finished his ...
Page
... lieutenant , " he said , coughing a. " I think that's enough , " said the lieutenant . " Only we rather wondered , " said the lady , elevating her indigo brows at what she seemed to have taken as an insult , " why you keep yourself so ...
... lieutenant , " he said , coughing a. " I think that's enough , " said the lieutenant . " Only we rather wondered , " said the lady , elevating her indigo brows at what she seemed to have taken as an insult , " why you keep yourself so ...
Page
Joanna Russ. " The lieutenant , " he said , coughing a little , " is thinking of anaesthetics and the lady of surgery - I really think you had better put your clothes back on , by the way — and as to what the others think I'm not so sure ...
Joanna Russ. " The lieutenant , " he said , coughing a little , " is thinking of anaesthetics and the lady of surgery - I really think you had better put your clothes back on , by the way — and as to what the others think I'm not so sure ...
Page
... lieutenant and the artist - who lingered . " Where'd they pick you up ? " he said , blinking again and fingering one eye . " Off Tyre , " said Alyx . " Where'd they pick you up ? ” " We , " said the artist , “ are rich tourists . Can ...
... lieutenant and the artist - who lingered . " Where'd they pick you up ? " he said , blinking again and fingering one eye . " Off Tyre , " said Alyx . " Where'd they pick you up ? ” " We , " said the artist , “ are rich tourists . Can ...
Page
... lieutenant went on , palming something and then holding it to his ear , " is pretty typical , though : young , pretty stable , ditto the older woman - oh yes , her name's Maudey- and Gavrily's a conamon , of course . " " Conamon ...
... lieutenant went on , palming something and then holding it to his ear , " is pretty typical , though : young , pretty stable , ditto the older woman - oh yes , her name's Maudey- and Gavrily's a conamon , of course . " " Conamon ...
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Agent Alyx shook Alyx thought androids arms baby began binoculars bolts breath cave climb close cried crossbow damned dead ears ebook electromagnetic spectrum epigram everything eyes face feeling feet fell finally fingers front Gavrily giggled girl gloves grabbed Gunnar hair hands holding hood hurt inside insulated suit Iris Iris's Joanna Russ keep kill kind knees knew laughed legs lieutenant living doll long underwear looked Machine marriage Maudey Maudey's meters Minoans mouth move neck never night numbers nuns pack Paradise picnic Prince of Tyre pulled Raydos Raydos's rock rope science fiction shook her head shoot shoulder shouted shut side silently sleep slowly smiled snow softly someone sorry staring stood stopped stupid talking tell thing thought Alyx threw took Trans-Temp trying turned voice walked wall watch whispered wienie wind woman Youth Core