Diverse Position Science Fiction: Karen Joy Fowler, What I Didn’t See

Diverse Position Science Fiction: Karen Joy Fowler, What I Didn’t See

           

            I would like to start off by saying that I did not understand What I Didn’t See.

The story seemed to be about two couples that go to the African jungle to see animals, specifically gorillas. They spend several nights entertaining each other and relaxing. During this time you come to realize that the narrator is very much in love with her husband(lover) and is watching their fellows love life fail. Then one day she alone sees several gorillas and is tempted to shoot the male to “set the females free,” but decides against it. Upon returning to camp she learns that her fellow female companion has gone missing and that their guides, servants and guards are refusing to go further so the expedition has to return. They never find the friend and the protagonists lover is haunted by the experience.

            I know I am missing some sort of deeper meaning but I really just don’t get the story and what its supposed to do. Its written about women by a woman so I’m sure there is some sort of feminist message (especially considering the gorilla scene) but I don’t get it.

            In the end it is an interesting look and portrayal of the upper class, Anglo-American hunting safaris that took place during the age of the British empire, but in the end it doesn’t really do anything exciting or meaningful. I cant recommend it.

On The other hand Octavia Butlers BloodChild was fantastic! In it a ship full of humans crashes on an inhabited planet and they are promptly colonized by the oversized population of giant bug monster horrors. In exchange for the dangerous process of carrying (and in a way feeding) the aliens young, the humans get continued survival, protection, and an egg that gives off a type of alcoholic/narcotic substance to trip on.

            The story is amazing for several reasons. First: its amusing to see the humans get colonized by an alien race. It kind flips the idea of imperialism and exploration on its head. Second: the author leaves a lot to the imagination. For example she mentions a lot of the aliens having lots of arms and large bodies. They also have large stingers and their young are parasites feasting on the humans insides. But they also cuddle for warmth. The protagonists mother is friends with his “mating partner.” It’s a bizarre mix of giving you enough to be scared, but not enough to complete the picture. And Finally, this story brings the horror of child birth to men as they are the primary candidates for carrying the aliens young inside them. The actual process where the young are removed is described to sound a lot like a C-section for a human birth. As a man it was a rather uncomfortable yet engaging thought. How would I act differently towards women if that could happen to me?

            The story is great. Creepy yet thoughtful, uncomfortable yet engaging. It is well worth reading for anyone who isn’t scared of bugs or births.