Robert Silverberg once wrote an introduction to a James Tiptree, Jr. book where he “proves” that Tiptree is a male writer. Of course, he was wrong. Tiptree’s identity was uncovered by my friend, Jeff Smith, which lead to a friendship with Alice Sheldon. You can read all about that incident in Julie Phillips’ excellent biography, James Tiptree, Jr.: The Double Life of Alice B. Sheldon. I almost chose this collection and one of its great novelettes for Patti Abbott’s FORGOTTEN SHORT STORIES last week. There are some great tales in Her Smoke Rose Up Forever: “The Girl Who Was Plugged In,” “Houston, Houston, Do You Read?” “Love is the Plan the Plan is Death,” and one of the most haunting stories I’ve ever read, “The Screwfly Solution.” If you haven’t read any of these classic Tiptree stories, you’re in for quite an experience.
I wonder if that wonderful biography led to a resurgence of interest in her books. I hope so.
Julie Phllips’ brilliant biography of Alice Sheldon won the 2006 National Book Critics Award as well as a Hugo and a LOCUS Award. Anyone who read that book would irresistibly be drawn to the Tiptree stories.