Edmund Cooper - Work and Criticism

Work and Criticism

Cooper was an atheist and an individualist. His science fiction often depicted unconventional male heroes facing unfamiliar and remote environments. His novel The Uncertain Midnight was noted for its treatment of the subject of Androids, which was considered original at the time of writing. Also uniquely treated is the subject of the colonisation of planets which is the basis of Edmund's Expendables series, published under the pen name of Richard Avery (the name of the hero of Transit). The Expendables is notable both for the diversity of its cast of characters and for the frank nature of their conversations and attitudes on racial and sexual topics.

Two of his books depicted future Earths dominated by women after the genetic or physical need for men has been reduced. His attitude to women is said to have been controversial. Cooper was quoted as saying: "let them have totally equal competition ... they'll see that they can't make it". The theme of both books is actually a need to retain both sexes. Five to Twelve ends with the phrase "if we do not make any more mistakes, we can create a balanced world of men and women". The more cynical Who Needs Men? ends by asking whether love of woman for man is worth death for that love. Yes, says the heroine.