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dr_matthew_lloyd's review
4.0
This collection of "letters" (and letters) to [a:James Tiptree Jr.|9860453|James Tiptree Jr.|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1425083616p2/9860453.jpg] (and [a:Raccoona Sheldon|1134987|Raccoona Sheldon|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and [a:Alice Sheldon|5807501|Alice Sheldon|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]) alongside other selected writings to give us an "insight" into the character of that particular trinity of writers, is divided into four sections. I am going to divide this review into two, to cover the "letters" written to Tiptree on the centenary of Alice Sheldon's birth alongside the letters of the late '70s and early '80s between Tiptree/Shedon and [a:Ursula K. Le Guin|874602|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1244291425p2/874602.jpg] and those from [a:Joanna Russ|52310|Joanna Russ|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1423801257p2/52310.jpg] to Tiptree/Sheldon, and the additional writing all together.
Letters to Tiptree
The idea behind the volume Letters to Tiptree sounds great in practice. Asking a diverse group of mostly female writers to write their thoughts and feelings about James Tiptree Jr. in the form of a letter to the writer? Sounds brilliant! And to a degree, it is. The problems lie, largely, in the execution. Many of the letters repeat the same details about Tiptree's life, with minimal reflections on the stories written under that name and Alice Sheldon. This leads to a somewhat repetitive first half of the book, as few of the authors choose to reveal much about themselves in the process. That so few of them seemed willing to write as if writing an actual letter means that it's difficult to identify each writer until their signature (often only a first name), and the (very long) author biographies are entirely separate from the letters themselves. Thus, I can remember quite a few details about the letters by [a:Catherynne M. Valente|338705|Catherynne M. Valente|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1220999852p2/338705.jpg] and [a:Nicola Griffith|90780|Nicola Griffith|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1336097341p2/90780.jpg] - authors I already knew and liked - but it is difficult, especially when reading an ebook, to figure out who the authors whose letters did interest me actually were. It wasn't great, I discovered, for learning about new authors.
Following these letters is a collection of letters between Tiptree and Ursula le Guin in which Tiptree reveals to le Guin that behind the pseudonym is Alice Sheldon, a 61 year-old woman living in Virginia. The difference in these letters is startling, I think, largely because these are genuine letters written to Tiptree (and by Tiptree) which treat Tiptree/Sheldon as a human being. The feelings le Guin has for Tiptree are astounding. Her response to Tiptree's revelation is one of the most wonderful things I've read by le Guin, and I love le Guin's writing. Following these letters are several by Joanna Russ, but this section only includes one by Tiptree, the "revelation" letter (with the significant line: "Oh Joanna, will I have any friends left?") I don't know if this was a choice on behalf of the editors, or if Tiptree's letters to Russ are simply unavailable, but the one-sided conversation is a little frustrating. But there is still much of interest in here.
Everything but the signature is me
The third section of the volume, which collects various non-fiction writing about Tiptree, emphasises that the obsession with this writer revolves largely around perceptions of gender and the "big reveal" that Tiptree was Sheldon (whatever "was" means in this context). There is more discussion of the author's actual works in this section, but it seems something of a shame that even in a celebration of James Tiptree Jr., Raccoona Sheldon, and Alice Sheldon the discussion revolves around their identity (identities?) rather than the words they actually wrote. The discussion in the excerpts from [b:The Battle of the Sexes in Science Fiction|729861|The Battle of the Sexes in Science Fiction |Justine Larbalestier|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348323347s/729861.jpg|716060] is most interesting in this regard, because it discusses how certain Tiptree stories might be read differently depending on what one thinks the gender of the author might be. Indeed, one of the things which I found most interesting in the first section of the volume was the betrayal felt by [a:Gwyneth Jones|7272|Gwyneth Jones|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1277604289p2/7272.jpg] when it turned out Tiptree wasn't a man who actually understood women. It's an under-valued perspective on the SF field in the '70s, I think.
The volume left me with a desire to re-read certain Tiptree stories, and when I have some more space for books I plan to seek out different Tiptree collections. It is certainly worth a read, although I recommend taking your time over the new letters.
Letters to Tiptree
The idea behind the volume Letters to Tiptree sounds great in practice. Asking a diverse group of mostly female writers to write their thoughts and feelings about James Tiptree Jr. in the form of a letter to the writer? Sounds brilliant! And to a degree, it is. The problems lie, largely, in the execution. Many of the letters repeat the same details about Tiptree's life, with minimal reflections on the stories written under that name and Alice Sheldon. This leads to a somewhat repetitive first half of the book, as few of the authors choose to reveal much about themselves in the process. That so few of them seemed willing to write as if writing an actual letter means that it's difficult to identify each writer until their signature (often only a first name), and the (very long) author biographies are entirely separate from the letters themselves. Thus, I can remember quite a few details about the letters by [a:Catherynne M. Valente|338705|Catherynne M. Valente|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1220999852p2/338705.jpg] and [a:Nicola Griffith|90780|Nicola Griffith|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1336097341p2/90780.jpg] - authors I already knew and liked - but it is difficult, especially when reading an ebook, to figure out who the authors whose letters did interest me actually were. It wasn't great, I discovered, for learning about new authors.
Following these letters is a collection of letters between Tiptree and Ursula le Guin in which Tiptree reveals to le Guin that behind the pseudonym is Alice Sheldon, a 61 year-old woman living in Virginia. The difference in these letters is startling, I think, largely because these are genuine letters written to Tiptree (and by Tiptree) which treat Tiptree/Sheldon as a human being. The feelings le Guin has for Tiptree are astounding. Her response to Tiptree's revelation is one of the most wonderful things I've read by le Guin, and I love le Guin's writing. Following these letters are several by Joanna Russ, but this section only includes one by Tiptree, the "revelation" letter (with the significant line: "Oh Joanna, will I have any friends left?") I don't know if this was a choice on behalf of the editors, or if Tiptree's letters to Russ are simply unavailable, but the one-sided conversation is a little frustrating. But there is still much of interest in here.
Everything but the signature is me
The third section of the volume, which collects various non-fiction writing about Tiptree, emphasises that the obsession with this writer revolves largely around perceptions of gender and the "big reveal" that Tiptree was Sheldon (whatever "was" means in this context). There is more discussion of the author's actual works in this section, but it seems something of a shame that even in a celebration of James Tiptree Jr., Raccoona Sheldon, and Alice Sheldon the discussion revolves around their identity (identities?) rather than the words they actually wrote. The discussion in the excerpts from [b:The Battle of the Sexes in Science Fiction|729861|The Battle of the Sexes in Science Fiction |Justine Larbalestier|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348323347s/729861.jpg|716060] is most interesting in this regard, because it discusses how certain Tiptree stories might be read differently depending on what one thinks the gender of the author might be. Indeed, one of the things which I found most interesting in the first section of the volume was the betrayal felt by [a:Gwyneth Jones|7272|Gwyneth Jones|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1277604289p2/7272.jpg] when it turned out Tiptree wasn't a man who actually understood women. It's an under-valued perspective on the SF field in the '70s, I think.
The volume left me with a desire to re-read certain Tiptree stories, and when I have some more space for books I plan to seek out different Tiptree collections. It is certainly worth a read, although I recommend taking your time over the new letters.
morgandhu's review
5.0
This is what you need to know about Letters to Tiptree, edited by Alisa Krasnostein and Alexandra Pierce:
"In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Alice Sheldon’s birth, and in recognition of the enormous influence of both Tiptree and Sheldon on the field, Twelfth Planet Press is publishing a selection of thoughtful letters written by science fiction and fantasy’s writers, editors, critics and fans to celebrate her, to recognise her work, and maybe in some cases to finish conversations set aside nearly thirty years ago. [1]"
Either you know who James Tiptree Jr. - the primary pseudonym used by Alice Sheldon in her writing - was, what she did, what she wrote, how she was viewed, or you don't. If you do, you will understand and celebrate this book. If you don't.... Well, I am sorry that you have not yet encountered some of the greatest and most provocative short stories in the canon of science fiction, and that you have missed out on a long, thoughtful and vital conversation on the meaning of gender. I heartily recommend that you join the conversation by reading Tiptree immediately.
The book is divided into four parts:
Section one, “Alice, Alice, Do You Read?”, is composed of letters written to Alice Sheldon, James Tiptree Jr., or Raccoona Sheldon (or all of them). The second section, “I Never Wrote You Anything But The Exact Truth”, presents selected letters exchanged between Sheldon and Ursula K. Le Guin, and Sheldon and Joanna Russ. Sheldon had had a long paper relationship with both women as Tiptree, and this continued well after the revelation of Tiptree’s identity. ... In “Everything But The Signature Is Me”, we have reprinted academic material on Tiptree’s work and identity.
Finally, the editors include their own letters, and their thoughts on the process of editing this volume, in the fourth section, “Oh Joanna, Will I Have Any Friends Left?”
The contributors to the first part of this volume speak to the person, the work and the conversation. They speak to each contributor's personal thoughts on gender, identity and writing, and on how Tiptree's life and work relates to that. They raise questions about the things we cannot know about Tiptree, and speculate on possible answers. They show us where others, touched by the fire in Tiptree's words, are taking us. Each of these letters to Tiptree - or Alice, or Raccoona, or some combination of all the personas - is unique and fascinating, but I must mention Rachel Swirsky's contribution, a marvellous tribute of a poem that draws on the images in Tiptree's story titles to make her own contribution to the conversation.
In the next section, Tiptree's correspondence with Le Guin and Russ opens windows into all three women's hearts, a generous and intimate sidebar to the conversation.
The third section contains introductions to Tiptree's works by Ursula K. Le Guin and Micheal Swanwick, an excerpt from Justine Larbalestier's The Battle of the Sexes in Science Fiction which discusses one of Tiptree's iconic stories, "The Women Men Don't See," an excerpt from Helen Merrick's The Secret Feminist Cabal discussing the evolution of the James Tiptree Jr. Award, an essay by Wendy Gay Pearson on "The Text of this Body: “Reading” James Tiptree Jr. as a Transgender Writer" and finally, an article on being Tiptree by Tiptree/Sheldon herself.
The final letters to Tiptree from the editors wrap up and revisit the themes expressed in earlier letters in the volume.
When she was outed as being Tiptree, Sheldon wrote to friends, wondering if she would have any friends remaining after the science fiction world learned of her "deception." I, like others, wish she had lived long enough to see this book and know how many friends her work has made, and continues to make.
[1] http://www.twelfthplanetpress.com/products/ebooks/letters-to-tiptree
"In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Alice Sheldon’s birth, and in recognition of the enormous influence of both Tiptree and Sheldon on the field, Twelfth Planet Press is publishing a selection of thoughtful letters written by science fiction and fantasy’s writers, editors, critics and fans to celebrate her, to recognise her work, and maybe in some cases to finish conversations set aside nearly thirty years ago. [1]"
Either you know who James Tiptree Jr. - the primary pseudonym used by Alice Sheldon in her writing - was, what she did, what she wrote, how she was viewed, or you don't. If you do, you will understand and celebrate this book. If you don't.... Well, I am sorry that you have not yet encountered some of the greatest and most provocative short stories in the canon of science fiction, and that you have missed out on a long, thoughtful and vital conversation on the meaning of gender. I heartily recommend that you join the conversation by reading Tiptree immediately.
The book is divided into four parts:
Section one, “Alice, Alice, Do You Read?”, is composed of letters written to Alice Sheldon, James Tiptree Jr., or Raccoona Sheldon (or all of them). The second section, “I Never Wrote You Anything But The Exact Truth”, presents selected letters exchanged between Sheldon and Ursula K. Le Guin, and Sheldon and Joanna Russ. Sheldon had had a long paper relationship with both women as Tiptree, and this continued well after the revelation of Tiptree’s identity. ... In “Everything But The Signature Is Me”, we have reprinted academic material on Tiptree’s work and identity.
Finally, the editors include their own letters, and their thoughts on the process of editing this volume, in the fourth section, “Oh Joanna, Will I Have Any Friends Left?”
The contributors to the first part of this volume speak to the person, the work and the conversation. They speak to each contributor's personal thoughts on gender, identity and writing, and on how Tiptree's life and work relates to that. They raise questions about the things we cannot know about Tiptree, and speculate on possible answers. They show us where others, touched by the fire in Tiptree's words, are taking us. Each of these letters to Tiptree - or Alice, or Raccoona, or some combination of all the personas - is unique and fascinating, but I must mention Rachel Swirsky's contribution, a marvellous tribute of a poem that draws on the images in Tiptree's story titles to make her own contribution to the conversation.
In the next section, Tiptree's correspondence with Le Guin and Russ opens windows into all three women's hearts, a generous and intimate sidebar to the conversation.
The third section contains introductions to Tiptree's works by Ursula K. Le Guin and Micheal Swanwick, an excerpt from Justine Larbalestier's The Battle of the Sexes in Science Fiction which discusses one of Tiptree's iconic stories, "The Women Men Don't See," an excerpt from Helen Merrick's The Secret Feminist Cabal discussing the evolution of the James Tiptree Jr. Award, an essay by Wendy Gay Pearson on "The Text of this Body: “Reading” James Tiptree Jr. as a Transgender Writer" and finally, an article on being Tiptree by Tiptree/Sheldon herself.
The final letters to Tiptree from the editors wrap up and revisit the themes expressed in earlier letters in the volume.
When she was outed as being Tiptree, Sheldon wrote to friends, wondering if she would have any friends remaining after the science fiction world learned of her "deception." I, like others, wish she had lived long enough to see this book and know how many friends her work has made, and continues to make.
[1] http://www.twelfthplanetpress.com/products/ebooks/letters-to-tiptree
tsana's review
4.0
Letters to Tiptree edited by Alexandra Pierce and Alisa Krasnostein is a collection of letters written by contemporary authors to Alice Sheldon/James Tiptree Jr published on the hundredth anniversary of her birth.
For the context of my reading this book, I want to note that I have not read Tiptree's/Sheldon's biography (it's on my wishlist) and the only fiction of hers I've read is The Starry Rift, which certainly does not contain her most well-known stories. I did listen to the Tiptree-themed Galactic Suburbia episodes and glanced at Wikipedia, but overall my general knowledge of Tiptree and especially her fiction is low. Obviously I want to read more of her fiction, but I also didn't want to put off reading this book until such an indefinite point in the potentially distant future. So that's where I was coming from when I read Letters to Tiptree.
The first section of this book collects letters from the present to Tiptree/Alice Sheldon. These letters tackle a variety of topics, mostly in the realms of feminism and Sheldon's (gender) identity. Some letters provide analysis of one or more stories — which obviously it would probably be more interesting to read having read the stories, but now I feel oddly familiar with some of them. There were also letters talking about aspects of Sheldon's life that I was less familiar with, like her death (murder-suicide). Sandra McDonald's letter was one that particularly stood out to me on that front.
A few other letters that I marked as particularly notable were Rose Lemberg's with it's discussion of which books were translated and available in the Soviet Union (and the lack of female Soviet SF writers). Valentin D. Ivanov's letter is actually addressed to Bulgarian writer Zora Zagorska about Tiptree, which makes for an interesting read. Then there was Justina Robson's letter, which talks about feminism and the literary tradition of masculine style. Lucy Sussex's letter linked her experiences with her mother's death and her travels to Borneo with Sheldon's writing and experiences, a compelling read.
After these contemporary letters, there is some additional material in Letters to Tiptree. Some reprints of letters between Tiptree/Sheldon and Ursula Le Guin, and Joanna Russ; the introductions to a couple of story collections; excerpts from Justine Larbalestier's book The Battle of the Sexes in Science Fiction and Hellen Merrick's The Secret Feminist Cabal: A Cultural History of Science Fiction Feminisms; and a few other things. My favourite part of this latter material was definitely the letters between Tiptree and her contemporaries. I would love to read more of them. The focus here was on Tiptree revealing her Alice Sheldon identity to her epistolary friends but I'm sure there were many other interesting conversations for us to snoop on from the future.
If you know absolutely nothing about James Tiptree Jr, this is probably not the book for you. But if you have even a passing interest in her life or fiction, this makes for an interesting read. I would probably recommend reading Her Smoke Rose Up Forever — although I didn't — so as to better appreciate some of the discussion of stories (I think the key ones are all in there). I will be reading it at some point, but probably not too soon so that the somewhat spoilery discussions in Letters to Tiptree aren't too fresh in my mind.
4 / 5 stars
You can read more reviews on my blog.
For the context of my reading this book, I want to note that I have not read Tiptree's/Sheldon's biography (it's on my wishlist) and the only fiction of hers I've read is The Starry Rift, which certainly does not contain her most well-known stories. I did listen to the Tiptree-themed Galactic Suburbia episodes and glanced at Wikipedia, but overall my general knowledge of Tiptree and especially her fiction is low. Obviously I want to read more of her fiction, but I also didn't want to put off reading this book until such an indefinite point in the potentially distant future. So that's where I was coming from when I read Letters to Tiptree.
The first section of this book collects letters from the present to Tiptree/Alice Sheldon. These letters tackle a variety of topics, mostly in the realms of feminism and Sheldon's (gender) identity. Some letters provide analysis of one or more stories — which obviously it would probably be more interesting to read having read the stories, but now I feel oddly familiar with some of them. There were also letters talking about aspects of Sheldon's life that I was less familiar with, like her death (murder-suicide). Sandra McDonald's letter was one that particularly stood out to me on that front.
A few other letters that I marked as particularly notable were Rose Lemberg's with it's discussion of which books were translated and available in the Soviet Union (and the lack of female Soviet SF writers). Valentin D. Ivanov's letter is actually addressed to Bulgarian writer Zora Zagorska about Tiptree, which makes for an interesting read. Then there was Justina Robson's letter, which talks about feminism and the literary tradition of masculine style. Lucy Sussex's letter linked her experiences with her mother's death and her travels to Borneo with Sheldon's writing and experiences, a compelling read.
After these contemporary letters, there is some additional material in Letters to Tiptree. Some reprints of letters between Tiptree/Sheldon and Ursula Le Guin, and Joanna Russ; the introductions to a couple of story collections; excerpts from Justine Larbalestier's book The Battle of the Sexes in Science Fiction and Hellen Merrick's The Secret Feminist Cabal: A Cultural History of Science Fiction Feminisms; and a few other things. My favourite part of this latter material was definitely the letters between Tiptree and her contemporaries. I would love to read more of them. The focus here was on Tiptree revealing her Alice Sheldon identity to her epistolary friends but I'm sure there were many other interesting conversations for us to snoop on from the future.
If you know absolutely nothing about James Tiptree Jr, this is probably not the book for you. But if you have even a passing interest in her life or fiction, this makes for an interesting read. I would probably recommend reading Her Smoke Rose Up Forever — although I didn't — so as to better appreciate some of the discussion of stories (I think the key ones are all in there). I will be reading it at some point, but probably not too soon so that the somewhat spoilery discussions in Letters to Tiptree aren't too fresh in my mind.
4 / 5 stars
You can read more reviews on my blog.
calissa's review
4.0
When Twelfth Planet Press sent me a review copy of Letters to Tiptree, I admit I was a little apprehensive. I've not read any of the stories Alice Sheldon published under the names of James Tiptree, Jr. and Raccoona Sheldon. I'm not even especially interested in science fiction spanning the late 60s and 70s--though I have felt some pressure to become familiar with this era of canon, much as Renay has commented. So I was a little bit surprised by just how much I enjoyed this book.
Letters to Tiptree is divided into several sections. The first and largest consists of letters written for this collection by authors, academics and fans to Alice, Tiptree and/or Raccoona. There is an impressive diversity of voices here, containing writers of varying backgrounds, nationalities, races, generations, gender identities, sexualities and classes. This diversity serves to showcase the wide impact Tiptree's work had--and continues to have--upon the speculative fiction community. But letter writing--even when the letters remain unanswered--remains a two-way street. I found myself equally as fascinated by what the letters revealed about their writers as what they said about Tiptree. Some clearly had an eye towards their audience, while others were more focussed on the person they were writing to. Some letters were restless and unhappy, while others were breathtaking in their sincere gratitude. Even the anger present in some merely added to the sense that this collection was a beautiful love letter.
Gender and identity are naturally one of the major preoccupations of these letters. It was interesting to see the different conclusions authors came to while pondering what ground--if any--feminism has gained since Tiptree's death thirty years ago. However, this wasn't the sole focus of these letters. They also dwelt on some of the other overarching themes of Tiptree's work, such as class, colonialism, technology and time.
The second section is formed of a selection of letters exchanged between Alice Sheldon and her contemporaries--specifically Ursula LeGuin and Joanna Russ. Sheldon had been writing to these two women under the guise of Tiptree and had formed close friendships with them. When the death of Sheldon's mother began to unravel the identity of James Tiptree, Jr., she was quick to write to them and confess the truth. The letters included in this book centre around these confessions. After hearing so much about the influence of Tiptree on the letter writers of the first section, it was a delight to hear her speak in her own voice. At the same time, it was a little bit heartbreaking because her fear and unhappiness are very evident.
This is followed by a section with a more academic focus, containing a few anthology introductions and excerpts from more scholarly works. I'd been able to grasp much of the context of Tiptree's work from the letters in the first section, though this did a good job of filling in some of the gaps and expanding the territory a little bit. I found Wendy Guy Pearson's 1999 paper on Tiptree as a transgender writer to be particularly interesting.
The collection was rounded out with letters from the two editors addressed to Tiptree and reflecting on their experiences of putting the collection together.
If the aim of the book was to interest new readers in the life and work of Tiptree, it succeeded in my case.
This review first appeared on Earl Grey Editing.
Letters to Tiptree is divided into several sections. The first and largest consists of letters written for this collection by authors, academics and fans to Alice, Tiptree and/or Raccoona. There is an impressive diversity of voices here, containing writers of varying backgrounds, nationalities, races, generations, gender identities, sexualities and classes. This diversity serves to showcase the wide impact Tiptree's work had--and continues to have--upon the speculative fiction community. But letter writing--even when the letters remain unanswered--remains a two-way street. I found myself equally as fascinated by what the letters revealed about their writers as what they said about Tiptree. Some clearly had an eye towards their audience, while others were more focussed on the person they were writing to. Some letters were restless and unhappy, while others were breathtaking in their sincere gratitude. Even the anger present in some merely added to the sense that this collection was a beautiful love letter.
Gender and identity are naturally one of the major preoccupations of these letters. It was interesting to see the different conclusions authors came to while pondering what ground--if any--feminism has gained since Tiptree's death thirty years ago. However, this wasn't the sole focus of these letters. They also dwelt on some of the other overarching themes of Tiptree's work, such as class, colonialism, technology and time.
The second section is formed of a selection of letters exchanged between Alice Sheldon and her contemporaries--specifically Ursula LeGuin and Joanna Russ. Sheldon had been writing to these two women under the guise of Tiptree and had formed close friendships with them. When the death of Sheldon's mother began to unravel the identity of James Tiptree, Jr., she was quick to write to them and confess the truth. The letters included in this book centre around these confessions. After hearing so much about the influence of Tiptree on the letter writers of the first section, it was a delight to hear her speak in her own voice. At the same time, it was a little bit heartbreaking because her fear and unhappiness are very evident.
This is followed by a section with a more academic focus, containing a few anthology introductions and excerpts from more scholarly works. I'd been able to grasp much of the context of Tiptree's work from the letters in the first section, though this did a good job of filling in some of the gaps and expanding the territory a little bit. I found Wendy Guy Pearson's 1999 paper on Tiptree as a transgender writer to be particularly interesting.
The collection was rounded out with letters from the two editors addressed to Tiptree and reflecting on their experiences of putting the collection together.
If the aim of the book was to interest new readers in the life and work of Tiptree, it succeeded in my case.
This review first appeared on Earl Grey Editing.
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