Native Tongue
Native Tongue
Book Brief
Beta327
Novel • Fiction
Earth • 22nd century
2000
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Native Tongue by Suzette Haden Elgin, individuals navigate a future society where women’s rights have regressed. Linguist women secretly develop a new language, Láadan, to articulate their experiences and foster empowerment. The novel explores themes of language as power and resistance, focusing on women reclaiming their voice within a patriarchal environment.
Challenging
Mysterious
Contemplative
Dark
Fantastical
Reviews & Readership
4,777 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Suzette Haden Elgin's Native Tongue is praised for its inventive exploration of language and gender dynamics. Critics commend its thought-provoking narrative and strong feminist themes. However, some note that its pacing can be uneven, and the complex linguistic concepts may challenge casual readers. Overall, it's a unique and insightful read.
Who Should Read Native Tongue?
Readers who relish dystopian sci-fi with feminist themes, similar to The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood or The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin, will enjoy Native Tongue by Suzette Haden Elgin. Ideal for those intrigued by linguistic exploration and societal critique.
4,777 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Native Tongue is notable for featuring the constructed language Láadan, which Elgin developed to address perceived limitations in expressing women's experiences within natural languages.
The book's author, Suzette Haden Elgin, was not only a writer but also a linguist, which significantly influenced her approach to the themes of language and communication in the novel.
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Native Tongue, the first book in a trilogy, explores feminist and linguistic themes, and was published in 1984, at the height of the feminist science fiction movement.
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327
Novel • Fiction
Earth • 22nd century
2000
Adult
18+ years
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