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commented on Ringworld by Larry Niven (Ringworld (1))

Larry Niven: Ringworld (Paperback, 1997, Del Rey) 4 stars

The ' (1970–2004), by science fiction author Larry Niven, is a part of his Known …

Surprisingly misogynistic in it's depiction of women. The only named woman present in the story, Teela, is generally presented as a pretty, tittering, giggling nothing, only unafraid because she's depicted as too inexperienced with the trials of life to be afraid, easy to forgive our protagonist because she's physically unable to hold a grudge, and willing to make love almost at the drop of a hat. It's very clear to me that this is Larry Niven's idea of a perfect woman, and in surprising contrast to the rest of the story, it's terribly lacking in imagination.

replied to Elise's status

@throatmuppet I read it ages ago and found it bland and unappealing. I'm not all that surprised at misogyny. In my mind Niven is on team RWNJ, ever since the days of Reagan and his Star Wars nonsense. I saw a panel where another writer called Niven a "Nazi collaborator", to his face. I'm not sure if it was a joke.

replied to AvonVilla's status

@AvonVilla wow! I had to look some of this up. I had no idea about Niven's involvement with Reagan or anything like that, it all happened before I was a twinkle in my mother's eyes. People tend to gloss over this stuff when they talk about the legacy of his work. I'll have to keep this in mind going forward and apply a more critical eye to his work if I pick up anything else of his. Misogyny aside -and it is difficult to put aside with how often Larry keeps shoving it in my face- I have personally found Ringworld a compelling read, but this paints things in a different light