《火山恋人》是苏珊·桑塔格重拾小说题材的突破之作,饱含着作家的创作激情。小说虽以男性为标题,但真正聚焦的是在男性影响下作为“他者”的几位女性人物。她们或认同自身的“他者”身份,顺从地承受生命中的灾难;或被视为红颜祸水,玷污了男性的光辉形象;或选择像男性一样介入社会生活,但因越界之举而招致杀身之祸。桑塔格在传统历史传奇小说的叙事基础上进行了大胆的创新,让这些无法自我言说的“他者”在最后一部中发出了自己死后的声音。作者暗示即便在当下,女性摆脱“他者”身份获得自由仍是一条崎岖漫长之路。 “Volcano Lovers” is a breakthrough made by Susan Sontag in the novel theme, full of the author’s passion for creation. Though the title of the novel is titled as a male, the true focus is on the few female characters who are “the other” under the influence of men. They either accept themselves as their “other” status and subordinately tolerate disasters in their lives. They may be regarded as troublesome troubles, tarnish the glorious image of men, or choose to intervene in social life as men do. However, Lead to martyr disaster. Sontag made bold innovations based on the narratives of traditional historical legends, so that those who can not speak their own words made their last death voice. The author suggests that even if women are free from the “other’s” identity, it is still a long and narrow journey.