47 pages • 1 hour read
He, She and It
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Book Brief
448
Novel • Fiction
North America • 21st century
1991
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
He, She and It by Marge Piercy is a 1991 cyberpunk novel that won the Arthur C. Clarke Award for Best Science Fiction novel. It tells the story of Shira, a psychoengineer, who, after losing custody of her son, returns to her hometown Tikva. Amidst a post-apocalyptic world, Shira works with Yod, a cyborg created to protect the Jewish free town, and navigates complex relationships and power struggles with corporations.
Gritty
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Romantic
Fantastical
Reviews & Readership
6,178 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
He, She and It by Marge Piercy offers a compelling blend of cyberpunk and feminist narrative. Reviewers praise its imaginative world-building and deep exploration of identity, gender, and power. However, some critique its pacing and occasional predictability. Overall, it's celebrated for its thought-provoking themes and rich storytelling.
Who Should Read He, She and It?
Fans of dystopian fiction and cyberpunk narratives will relish He, She and It by Marge Piercy. This novel appeals to readers of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and William Gibson’s Neuromancer, with its rich blend of feminist themes, futuristic settings, and profound ethical questions about technology and humanity.
6,178 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Yod
Yod
A cyborg created to protect Tikva, wrestling with questions of identity and consciousness while forming a significant bond with Shira.
Gadi
Gadi
Shira's former lover, whose infidelity impacted her deeply; he is a stimulator creator entangled in fame and searching for connection.
448
Novel • Fiction
North America • 21st century
1991
Adult
18+ years
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