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Native Tongue (The Native Tongue Trilogy) Paperback – July 23, 2019

by Suzette Haden Elgin (Author), Leni Zumas (Foreword)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 342 ratings
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Originally published in 1984, this dystopian trilogy—"a pioneering feminist experiment"—is a testament to the power of language and women's collective action (Literary Hub).

In 2205, the 19th Amendment has long been repealed and women are only valued for their utility. The Earth's economy depends on an insular group of linguists who "breed" women to be perfect interstellar translators until they are sent to the Barren House to await death. But instead, these women are slowly creating a language of their own to make resistance possible. Ignorant to this brewing revolution, Nazareth, a brilliant linguist, and Michaela, a servant, both seek emancipation in their own ways. But their personal rebellions risk exposing the secret language, and threaten the possibility of freedom for all.

“This angry feminist text 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

"A welcome reminder of the feminist legacies of science fiction. . . . Explores the power of speech, agency, and subversion in a work that is as gripping, troubling, and meaningful today as it has ever been." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    Native Tongue Trilogy
  2. Print length
    400 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    The Feminist Press at CUNY
  5. Publication date
    July 23, 2019
  6. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1.1 x 7.9 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1936932628
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1936932627
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Extremely relevant.” —Bookforum

“A pioneering feminist experiment.” —Literary Hub

"A welcome reminder of the feminist legacies of science fiction. . . . Explores the power of speech, agency, and subversion in a work that is as gripping, troubling, and meaningful today as it has ever been." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“This carefully crafted, fascinating dystopia is a call to action even decades later, and highlights the importance of language and its uses in politics of power.” —Booklist (starred review)

“A necessary and exhilarating book.” —4Columns

“Published in 1984, Native Tongue got it right. In the power and precision of language, women can begin to change the world." —Maggie Shen King, author of An Excess Male

“This angry feminist text 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

“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 utopianism or over-optimism. Her women revel in patience.” —Village Voice Literary Supplement

"Less well known than the The Handmaid's Tale but just as apocalyptic in [its] vision . . . 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, New York Times Book Review

About the Author

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.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Feminist Press at CUNY; 2nd edition (July 23, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1936932628
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1936932627
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.1 x 7.9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 342 ratings

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  1. Suzette Haden Elgin

    Suzette Haden Elgin

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  2. Leni Zumas

    Leni Zumas

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    Leni Zumas grew up in Washington, DC, and now lives in Portland, Oregon, where she teaches creative writing at Portland State University. Her obsessions include maps, ships, drums, and all forms of the atypical. Her new novel, RED CLOCKS, comes out in January from Lee Boudreaux Books/Little, Brown.

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
342 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

A. A. Baldwin
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping, amazing, thought-provoking, must read book.
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2017
Verified Purchase
Seriously gripping, amazingly inventive, torturingly upsetting, and so much that is true and must be considered in our every day lives, folded into a fantastic science fiction novel.

I mistakenly thought as I was reading, that this was modeled after Atwood's brilliant "The Handmaid's Tale." No, that was published after "Native Tongue." But if you are familiar with Atwood's work, this awesome novel by Elgin can roughly and inadequately be described as something reminiscent of The Handmaid's Tale but with more depth, a few aliens, and lots of linguists.

The themes of human nature, human cruelty, human blindness to motivations, and the dangers and joys of language and words choice are astounding. The feminist themes buried in a book in which the female characters have few legal rights are both subtle and obvious. The book has three interwoven plot lines, any one of which could be an interesting read, but together they are so much more.

I look forward to reading the next book in the trilogy.

Is it a coincidence that the day I am reviewing this book, the Russian parliament voted to decriminalize domestic violence? This book is not about domestic violence, so don't be alarmed, but women's rights are forever under siege, clearly, so this fiction future is not an impossibility, for sure.
14 people found this helpful
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Maria
4.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2019
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Had this book for a college class. I enjoyed it more than I thought
One person found this helpful
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Joy1991
5.0 out of 5 stars WOW
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2018
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I truly can’t believe I had never heard of this book prior to it showing up on my goodreads recommendations. Fascinating deep dive into language, the purpose of language and what a shared language bring. And that’s even without getting into the fascinating dystopian gender dynamics portrayed in the move (though these “dystopian” dynamics are not far removed from what women (and POC) experiences at the hands of white men for centuries.

This book will linger on my mind for a long long time. Beautifully constructed. Deserving of all praise.
6 people found this helpful
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Susan Tuell
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2017
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hard to follow
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Lo
4.0 out of 5 stars Really interesting read
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2014
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I was intrigued by this world and it's well constructed characters and found myself breezing through the book in only a week. It's well written and finely paced.
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Anna
5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking fiction
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2021
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A wonderful book, but probably best read in only one or two sittings as it can be confusing if you spend awhile away from the book. It’s a very interesting concept and explores a very interesting alternate reality.
2 people found this helpful
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Finnabair
5.0 out of 5 stars Read it five times
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2019
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This book was written by a linguist. She understood and exemplified the connection between language and culture in a marvelous sci fi novel. Exquisite book.
2 people found this helpful
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bsholtz
4.0 out of 5 stars storyline is gripping
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2014
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storyline is gripping, I liked all the female characters and not the men. BUT for me too one sided, men needed too. 2 halves of the whole.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Tannina
5.0 out of 5 stars Intelligente SF
Reviewed in Germany on October 26, 2019
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Was passiert, wenn eine Bevölkerungsgruppe nur noch die Sprache als Möglichkeit hat, um die Wirklichkeit zu verändern. Hier sind es die Frauen der Linguistenlinien, die versuchen heimlich eine neue Sprache zu finden, um damit ihre Umwelt zu verändern. Doch das ist nicht so einfach, denn alles muss geheim geschehen, unter Zeitdruck, Verpflichtungen und im absoluten Patriarchat, das den Frauen nahezu alle Rechte abspricht.
Ein Klassiker der feministischen SF und wirklich gar nicht langweilig.
One person found this helpful
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Ms Lisa Hilder
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping yarn which operates on a number of levels - futuristic adventure and social commentary
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 11, 2015
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Gripping yarn effortlessly combining science fiction and a feminist dystopia, celebrating the resilience and resourcefulness of women. Interesting commentary on contemporary western society and the pursuit of money and forceful hypothesis on the power of language. Whether you're looking for a damn good tale or want to deconstruct patriarchy, this book will grab you
2 people found this helpful
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larose-t
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent, effrayant, n'a certainement pas vieilli
Reviewed in France on February 14, 2001
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I bought this books some years ago and I read it again lately. I think it certainly gives a frighteningly credible vision of a possible evolution of the relationships between men and women. It is also a really interesting book as concerns linguistics. All in all the plot, its conclusion and the human interest makes this book something you mustn't miss.
2 people found this helpful
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bridget
5.0 out of 5 stars page turning novel
Reviewed in Germany on February 27, 2022
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Mesmerising excellent read.
One person found this helpful
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Sophie Horner
4.0 out of 5 stars Sci fi meets feminism
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2020
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The dystopian feminism kept me gripped throughout along with the mystery to breaking the scientific linguistic hypothesis to new alien languages. It is a great read to expand your reading skills however I felt the ending was weak. I am intrigued to read the others in this series however.
One person found this helpful
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