Feminist Sci-Fi Pulp "Picnic on Paradise", First Edition 1968

[Feminism][Sci-Fi] Russ, Joanna. Picnic on Paradise. New York: Ace Books, 1968. First edition mass market. 157 pages. Original illustrated wrappers featuring geometric, optical artwork by Leo and Diane Dillon. 12mo. Picnic on Paradise marks the debut novel of Joanna Russ, a trailblazing figure in feminist and LGBTQ+ science fiction literature, notable for challenging gender norms and expanding the genre’s narrative possibilities. Russ’s protagonist, Alyx, a tough, resourceful woman, is tasked with guiding vulnerable tourists across a treacherous alien world — a plot that sharply critiques traditional gender roles and the sanitized depiction of women in (truncated) science fiction of the era. Lauded contemporaneously by figures such as Samuel R. Delany, Fritz Leiber, Theodore Sturgeon, and Poul Anderson, the novel was recognized for its rough, uncompromising depiction of survival and emotional complexity (“She is not afraid to feel,” noted Sturgeon). The narrative’s emphasis on violence, compassion, and authenticity reflects a broader shift in 1960s speculative fiction toward grittier, more humanistic storytelling. Binding is tight though the spine shows minor creasing and surface wear, with some chipping to back wrappers. Overall good to very good condition. A foundational work in feminist science fiction, Picnic on Paradise is increasingly valued for its historic role in revolutionizing the portrayal of women and emotional complexity in the genre. (Inventory #: 21907)