Comments on: James Tiptree, Jr.: The Double Life of Alice B. Sheldon

By: Justine

Justine — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 21:19:53 +0000

Katie: It’s hard to get across just how extraordinary this book is but I think you’ve done it!

It’s not just that Tip/Alli is so interesting—it’s that their life cut across so many of the pivotal moments/movements of the twentieth century. Julie has done the most amazing job.

Yeah, I cried too reading it. Quite a lot. Can’t wait to reread it!

By: Katie

Katie — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 21:09:34 +0000

I just finished it this minute. I have been emailing a dear friend at each point in which I felt caught up and sometimes overwhelmed: the chicken farm alone took up 3 emails, her mother dying was only too close to events I am struggling with, disappointed with the Shatner roast I emailed she liked Star Trek and Spock, and the correspondence with Russ and La Guin often had me in tears. Actually I wept over and over reading this book — it touched my life in so many ways, from her WAC years in places my mother had told me about (I read them to her although I’m not sure what she understood now), to the SF authors I loved and that she knew in her way. I trolled through the web for info on people I wondered about what was happening for them: looking for Russ especially, and finding the interview by Delany at WisCon.

And then last night, carrying the book around, I was at a dinner party and mentioned I was finishing it up, and it turned out that a person there had gone to AU with Sheldon, had become friends with her, and had known her up til her death. I didn’t get to hear a lot about this and hope to learn more as appropriate, but it was one of those moments of life and life touching.

Biographies aren’t usually this cathartic for me, healing and overwhelming simultaneously. This is really a very amazing book.

By: Suzette Haden Elgin

Suzette Haden Elgin — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 12:52:51 +0000

Like everyone else, I’m having a hard time waiting to get my hands on this book, and I’m grateful to all the reviewers who’ve been giving me tiny advance glimpses. I’m hoping it sells gazillions of copies.

My sympathies to you for having had it taken away from you; that has to have been frustrating. But all has obviously turned out well…

By: Justine

Justine — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 06:30:22 +0000

Julie: (So sorry your comment got lost in the spam filters. Aaargh!) No one could have done what you did! No one.

Bill Phillips: I can confidently say that even those who are not related to her or friends with her think the book is a work of genius. How about all those amazing reviews, eh?

You must be very proud of Julie. I know I am.

By: Bill Phillips

Bill Phillips — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 23:43:47 +0000

I agree with your appraisal of “Tip” 100%. It’s deeply personal and totally non-judgemental. (Julie is my daughter).

By: julie phillips

julie phillips — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 00:49:05 +0000

Thanks Justine. I don’t know about stamina, though. Alli was great company, and I’m still thinking of things that ought to have been in the book. I probably would have gone on writing it for another ten years if Gordon hadn’t dragged it out of my hands — and if you hadn’t kept saying you wanted to read it.

You would have done a great job on Tiptree, but then I wouldn’t have learned nearly as many Australian words. I’m just about to start Magic Lessons, lucky me.

By: Justine

Justine — Sat, 05 Aug 2006 17:37:08 +0000

Alas and alack the book is heavy. Sorry!

By: heather w

heather w — Sat, 05 Aug 2006 04:50:33 +0000

since you do have a copy in hand, here’s a question – I’m headed to London the day it comes out, and I’ve assumed the book is heavier than I’d like to cart around for a week in a suitcase. Any chance it’s printed on superlight space-age paper that weighs a fraction of regular stock?

By: Justine

Justine — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 21:29:50 +0000

I wasn’t meaning to torture anyone, honest. It was on sale at her reading more than a week ago so I just assumed it was out. Would have held off posting if I’d realised.

By: heather w

heather w — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 16:07:04 +0000

I cannot stand this torture! all these reviews taunting me with a great book THAT I CAN’T BUY YET. ARGH!!!

By: janet

janet — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 15:39:03 +0000

But it’s still not out, dammit! At least, I haven’t been able to find a copy yet. Official pub date is Tuesday….

By: Jenny Davidson

Jenny Davidson — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 12:55:42 +0000

Oh, what a good post, thank you! I can’t wait to read this book….