London, Chatto & Windus, 1926. First Edition. First Impression. Hardback. A near fine copy. Very scarce. An important work of feminist science fiction. "[A] Tale is a Dystopia set in a twenty-first-century society which divides women into sterilized professional entertainers and sainted breeders" [Clute & Nicholls, p533] "a futuristic society in which female reproduction is rigorously controlled within a rigid caste system ruled and regulated by the masculine figure of the scientist." [Gamble, Gender and Science in Charlotte Haldane's A Man's World; Locke I:p102; Bleiler p95 as futurity / feminist interest] Influential on subsequent utopias / dystopias, and very likely and influence Huxley's Brave New World [Claeys, p367; Gerber, p52; Firchow, p307 - makes for an interesting read, with Haldane having reviewed Huxley's novel in 1932 and not mentioning her own work; one piece in particular (Firchow) seems reluctant to indicate the influence, though the Huxleys (inc. Julian) and the Haldanes (inc. JBS) were well acquainted, with the scientists strongly influencing the writers] Condition: jacket a little crushed to the spine tips, lettering faded to the spine and upper jacket as is common. A little fading to the top of the boards, and some offsetting to the endpapers. Haldane is often relegated to footnotes in favour of her husband, J.B.S. Haldane, who was also influential in the field of science fiction. Her legacy, though, is vast and permeates through science fiction generally and feminist SF, eugenics and birth control specifically. An important book. [8119, Hyraxia Books].