Suzette Haden Elgin (born Patricia Anne Wilkins; 1936–2015) was an American science fiction author. She founded the Science Fiction Poetry Association, and was considered an important figure in the field of science fiction constructed languages. Elgin was also a linguist; she published nonfiction, of which the best-known is the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense series.
"Suzette Haden Elgin's Native Tongue trilogy, a classic text of
angry feminism, is also an exemplary experiment in speculative
fiction, deftly and implacably pursuing both a scientific
hypothesis and an ideological hypothesis through all their social,
moral, and emotional implications." —Ursula K. Le Guin, author of
The Left Hand of Darkness
"Suzette Haden Elgin's Native Tongue. . . records female
tribulation in a world where . . . women have no public rights at
all. Elgin's heroines do, however, have one set of weapons—words of
their own." —Sandra M. Gilbert and Susan Gubar, The New York Times
Book Review
"Native Tongue brings to life not only the possibility of a women's
language, but also the rationale for one. . . . [It is] a language
that can bring to life concepts men have never needed, have never
dreamed of—and thus change the world. Elgin never makes the mistake
of easy utopiansim or over-optimism. Her women revel in patience."
—Voice Literary Supplement
"Drastically and distinctly, Elgin has carried current
fundamentalist views on women to their 'logical' conclusion. . . .
Above all she understands that until women find the words and
syntax for what they need to say, they will never say it, nor will
the world hear it. . . . There isn't a phony or romantic moment
here, and the story is absolutely compelling." —Women's Review of
Books
"Elgin's novel will inspire those who believe that women's words
can change the world." —Marleen S. Barr, author of Lost in
Space: Probing Feminist Science Fiction and Beyond
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
