Simone De Beauvoir Cancels Long-Awaited Sequel The Third Sex

January 25, 1963

PARIS—Earlier today, millions of fans were disappointed, following Simone de Beauvoir’s announcement that her most long-awaited book, The Third Sex, is not going to be released.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, induced by the institution of the church as well as prominent conservative politicians, I regret to announce to all that I am cancelling the release of The Third Sex. I sincerely hope that all of my fans will still be able to enjoy reading The Second Sex, and that they will obtain a significant insight into the oppression women all over the world are facing today,” Beauvoir stated.

The book was expected to provide a conclusive answer to the matter of whether there exists a third sex, extending the commonly assumed idea that there are merely two sexes, male and female, as well as describe the oppression people of such a third sex may face. De Beauvoir’s fans were particularly excited for this book, as this would be a fitting end to de Beauvoir’s Sex trilogy. 

However, a number of fans seem to resort to alternative books on the matter. Magnus Hirschfeld’s “What the World Must Learn About the Third Sex” has enjoyed a modest popularity in Germany, although religious critics accuse it of “promoting sodomy.” To this day, the matter has not reached a satisfying conclusion, meaning that the question of the third sex remains unanswered to this very day.