Natural Consequences - by Elia Barceló (Paperback)

About the Book

A feminist, gender-swapping space farce from a paragon of speculative fiction

Book Synopsis

The Xhroll, an alien humanoid race whose infertility is bringing them near extinction, come into contact with a crew of fertile human astronauts. Their encounter on a remote space station will have significant consequences for both species when a human male winds up impregnated.

Author Elia Barceló's setup is funny and feminist, and it raises questions of what it means to be "male" or "female"--prescient, considering this novel was first published twenty-five years ago. The anniversary is being celebrated now with the first English-language edition, translated by veteran sci-fi translators Yolanda Molina-Gavilán and Andrea Bell, who also provide a critical introduction.

Review Quotes

"A novel that full of reflections, humor, and irony makes a fierce criticism of machismo, patriarchy, and gender roles with all their implications. It is a story with environmental dyes that highlight the importance of real equality, language, and its power, as well as how complicated are motherhood and the differential treatment that women receive when they are pregnant. I can do nothing but recommend that you run to your nearest bookstore to order the book. It is an essential reading that has been automatically transformed into one of my favorites of the year."
--In the Nevernever

"Beyond its obvious provocative intention, it is a good science fiction novel, with certain ecological dyes and a powerful reflection on the power of language."
--Consuelo Abellán, Origen cuántico

"Feminist science fiction, current and angry, written--as is usual with Elia Barceló--in a diaphanous, translucent, and fresh prose."
--Mario Amadas, CCyberdark.net

About the Author

Elia Barceló is a Spanish academic and author. She has received the Ignotus Award for best short fiction from the Spanish Association of Fantasy and Science Fiction (1991), the International Prize for best short science fiction novel from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (1994), and the Edebé Award for youth literature (1997).

Yolanda Molina-Gavilán is a professor of Spanish at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Andrea Bell is a professor of Spanish at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota.