The story in one page
Three male classmates — Vandyck, Terry, and Jeff — stumble upon a secluded, uncharted nation populated entirely by women. These inhabitants possess advanced agriculture, architecture, and education, having evolved to reproduce through parthenogenesis. As the men attempt to integrate and impose their own cultural biases, they find themselves consistently outmaneuvered by the logical, cooperative inhabitants. The society has intentionally limited its population to sustain resources and harmony. Ultimately, the women analyze the men’s reports of the outside world, decide that modern global civilization is too volatile to contact, and extract a firm promise of silence from the visitors before sending them home.
Who's who
- Vandyck Jennings
Sociologist who narrates the encounter with the all-female society.
- Terry O. Nicholson
Arrogant explorer who struggles to accept the women's authority.
- Jeff Margrave
Botanist who adapts quickly to the culture of the land.
- Somel
Vandyck’s tutor who explains the nation’s social and reproductive history.
- Ellador
Resident who eventually prepares to visit the world outside.
What it's really about
- Social structure
- Efficiency and cooperation replace competitive individual ambition.
- Gender dynamics
- The contrast between external assumptions and observed female competence.
Why it's memorable
- The women leaping across terrain with a unique, sidelong folding motion.
- The calm, collective decision to imprison a man for his refusal to cooperate.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
Terry finally agrees to keep the location secret after being warned that the alternative is permanent, absolute imprisonment. The men then depart the country, leaving it isolated from the rest of the world.
For your book club
- Why does the society view the men’s competitive games as inferior?
- How does the lack of men force the society to redefine motherhood?