My Summer Reads – diving into the matriarchy
For some reason, lately I’ve found myself thinking a lot more about women and power, what it means to be a woman in a workplace that was not built for us, and what it might look like if we stopped playing by rules that have never been in our favor.
In this vein, I’ve become completely fascinated by the idea of matriarchal societies and I’ve been doing a deep dive both into how they function in modern societies, and how the concept of matriarchy is presented in books, films and television. What does it look like when women are in charge of building a society, and how does that contrast with the world we see today?
In case you share my curiosity, or find yourself craving a world where, you know, women matter — here are a few of the books I’ve been reading:
The Gate to Women’s Country by Sheri Tepper (1988)
This appealed to both my love of post-apocalyptic stories and my background in Classics. Without giving anything away, I’d label this more of a stealth matriarchal society with lots simmering just below the surface. Loved it.
Ammonite by Nicola Griffith (2002)
I’m probably the last living person who hasn’t read Griffith’s best seller Hild, but I’m glad to have finally experienced her impressive world building. Ammonite takes place on a foreign planet where only women are able to survive. Deep, rich and descriptive, it’s clear Griffith has done her research on matriarchal societies. I especially appreciated her non-utopian approach to the realities of a female-only society. There is so much here to appreciate.
The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird (2021)
Another post-apocalyptic take, this story focuses on the immediate aftermath of a global pandemic that kills off 90% of all males. (I was stunned to learn in the author’s notes at the end of the book that it was finished before COVID — it reminded me so much of the experience of living through a pandemic. ) I enjoyed this one, but I would not consider it a true examination of matriarchal society: Sweeney-Baird’s world remains resolutely patriarchal regardless of its new leadership, and instead of exploring the post-pandemic world now run by women, it focuses almost exclusively on the emotion, grief and impact of losing men in the first place. An engaging read, but not matriarchal.
Scorpica by G.R. Macallister (2022)
I’m currently in the middle of reading this book, and I don’t think I want it to ever end. Macallister’s masterful world building is *chef’s kiss* and I’m finding it incredibly engaging. I’m eager to go to bed early these days just so I can pick it back up again. The story is based in a world ruled by five separate queendoms, each with their own gifts and areas of specific expertise. Their society is jeopardized by a pandemic in which no female children are born. How will their female-driven society survive? Macallister also appears to have done her research on matriarchal societies, and it’s pleasing to explore while still noting some of the speculative liberties she’s taken. While only recently released, I’m glad to see her book is now being marketed as the first of a series. Can’t wait.
Let me know if you decide to read any of these, or if you have any recommended additions to my list — or if there are films or TV shows that explore the idea of matriarchy that you think I should check out. ‘Til then, #smashthepatriarchy and have a great summer.