CJ Cherryh

A Tribute to a Female Pioneer

CJ has been writing award-winning speculative fiction since the 70’s. She chose the anonymity of “CJ” to side-step the predictable misogyny of all too many science fiction fans of the era.*

CJ Cherryh posted this recently:

Dear readers and friends. The unhappy fact is---the numerous bouts of anesthetic I’ve had have made it pretty well impossible for me to write. I drop stitches. Not many. No problems with daily life or doing creative stuff or enjoying life in general. But the ability to control narrative is just not what it was, and it’s just not going to be there. I’ve accepted that, painful as it is. I thank all of you who’ve stood by me patiently. The body of work is what it is, and I am lastingly grateful to my publisher, Betsy Wollheim, who has given me every extension of time and resource. And of course, to Jane, who is all things.

CJ has been prolific while consistently delivering at the highest level. Her works feature a keen insight into human politics and the human psyche. You read her works and nod, yes, that’s how we are. That’s what we would do, even in the far future, in farthest reaches of space. This has always grounded her work. No matter how fantastic, the people are human. Fallible, But also redeemable.

Her work is further buttressed by her deep, wide-ranging knowledge of history, language and culture, subjects she taught for many years before becoming a full-time writer. But make no mistake, her enduring popularity is due to the heart that lies at the center of her characters.

For example, her Chanur series is compelling, not because you have giant cats with a human “pet” (though it is a part of the appeal). The books grip your heart because the main characters strive valiantly and courageously to support and help each other across language and species barriers. It is a “found family” story of the highest order.

I’m grateful for CJ’s work and for her generosity in sharing everything she’s learned in life that has been fascinating or personally helpful. All by herself, she has made it worthwhile to keep a Facebook account.

*I was inoculated from any such sexist inclination thanks to Madeline L’Engle and A Wrinkle In Time. I read it in the 3rd grade, and it was immediately the greatest book I’d ever read. Still in my top 10.