Female friendships

Women's relationships are underrepresented in SF generally, in part as a consequence of the underrepresentation of female characters and female lives. (need more discussion)

Types of Female Relationships

Female Friendships

• Cordelia Vorkosigan / Alys Vorpatril
• Bujold / Ista & her messenger girl
• women of Cetaganda
• Vonda McIntyre's work
• Darkover

Female Buddies / Compañeras

Female buddies are the female counterparts to classic male buddy relationships such as Frodo and Sam. The relationship involves more than casual or even close friendship; it involves deep love, trust, and affection. There may be mythic elements to it. Sexuality, while often present as a subtext, is not the defining element of the relationship--this distinguishes the mythic buddy relationship from a love relationship.

• Xena / Gabrielle
• Magda / Jaelle (Marion Zimmer Bradley The Shattered Chain)
• Frostflower & Thorn (Phyllis Ann Karr)
• Tarma & Kethrys (Mercedes Lackey)

Other suggestions

• Eleanor Arnason: A Woman of the Iron People
• Suzy McKee Charnas: Holdfast Chronicles
• Charles de Lint: (various)
• Kate Elliott: Jaran series
• Nicola Griffith: Slow River
• Andrea Hairston: Mindscape
• Laurie Marks: Elemental Logic series
• Alastair Reynolds: Pushing Ice
• Don Sakers: Dance for the Ivory Madonna
• Melissa Scott: Trouble and Her Friends
• Jane Yolen: The Mermaid's Three Wisdoms
• Jane Yolen: Sister Light, Sister Dark

About This Entry

History of Inquiry

Netmouse on 2006/9/15 raised the question: Where are all the women friends in SF?, citing as male friendships the examples of Frodo and Sam, Gandalf and Sam, Han Solo and Chewbacca, Yoda and Obi-wan, Spock and Kirk.

Links & References

• http://netmouse.livejournal.com/237254.html Netmouse, 2006/9/15