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
• Marion Zimmer Bradley / Darkover
• narrator & her best friend in Atwood's Handmaid's Tale
• Zenna Henderson
• Anne McCaffrey / Dragonsong
• Jean Grey / Storm
• Oracle & Huntress
• Crusher & Troi

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)
• Cirocco & Gabby (John Varley's Titan, Wizard, Demon)

Other suggestions

• Poul Anderson Virgin Planet (I can't believe this was suggested but I'm listing it anyway)
• Eleanor Arnason: A Woman of the Iron People
• Marion Zimmer Bradley Avalon series
• 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
• Terry Moore, Strangers in Paradise (Katchoo and Francine)
• Alastair Reynolds: Pushing Ice
• Spider Robinson - Night of Power (wife & stepdaughter); Stardancer series last book (main character & roommate); Lady Calahan in Calahan series
• Don Sakers: Dance for the Ivory Madonna
• Melissa Scott: Trouble and Her Friends
• T. L. Sherred Alien Island
• 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