Just finished reading Asimov's novelization of Fantastic Voyage

I picked up the book at a local Goodwill for $0.50. I have to admit that I thought that Asimov wrote the original story, which is not the case. His novelization isn't bad, and it expands nicely on a lot of the biology and physics that are necessarily left out of the film. It's a quick read, too; I could easily have finished it in an evening, but I spread it out over several days due to the constraints of reality!

One thing that really struck me, though is how glaringly sexist it is. I mean, I know that 60s-era science fiction is seldom very empowering of women, but there are moments that are frankly embarrassing to read.

The female character, Cora, (Raquel Welch in the film) is described as a wholly competent scientist, but she's the "assistant" to the gruff Dr. Duval 20 years her senior. Duval explicitly acknowledges her expertise, yet her purpose in the book (like the film) is almost entirely to serve as a distraction to Grant.

Grant is a general-purpose tough-guy government agent who's nominally in charge of the mission once they get miniaturized and injected into the comatose Benes. The entire mission must take place in a single hour because of the limitations of the miniaturizing process. However, for that single hour, Grant can't keep himself from noticing and/or commenting on Cora's remarkable charms. Nearly everything he says to her is either preceded or followed by some smarmy joke about her surprising achievements or her unwomanly seriousness. And, of course, Grant saves her life not once but twice in those 60 minutes. Also, despite her initial contempt for his gruff persona, the two hit it off and end the book by walking away hand-in-hand.

Puh-leeze!

I wasn't expecting a 21st century essay on gender equality, but this was amazing.


I don't fault Asimov for it, because he was just reproducing the film, but it's really distasteful to a modern reader.