Exactly how steamy is this story?
R
Sexual relationships are a hot topic in The Female Man, and the novel doesn't shy away from explicit scenes. Some of them, like Janet's first time with Vittoria, Laura's first time with Janet, and Joanna's first time with her Laura, embrace playful, awkward, and exploratory sides of sex. Others, like Jael's late-night booty call with her automaton, Davy, raise serious ethical questions about sexual subservience and domination.
Aside from the act of sex itself, The Female Man also draws attention to various kinds of sexual violence and aggression. Although some of these scenes can be unpleasant to read, they're excellent springboards for conversations about rape and consent—topics that are as relevant today as they were in 1975.