Strange Horizons, February 22, 2016

“Into the Wreck” by June Oldfather

Reviewed by Jody Dorsett

If you haven’t read “Diving into the Wreck” by Adrienne Rich it’s alright as this story stands on its own. Like the poem it is a tale of transformation and going from victim to survivor in a strange world. Set on a derelict starship that happens to have been alive once the author does a good job of transporting it to that alien world.

If you have read Rich’s poem you’ll still like it. Rich’s poem was a seminal outbreak work in Feminist Voice in the early 70s. Like the poem, you can read deeper meanings than just the tale of exploration. It’s also interesting to note that I don’t think any reader today would be surprised or shocked by female protagonists in the lead or of various, different ethnicities. As an homage to Rich it is well done.