Reviews

Llengua Materna by Suzette Haden Elgin

tha_ptlnkr's review against another edition

reflective

4.0

cedrisc's review against another edition

3.0

I found this book difficult to read, not because of the concept, but because at times it was more like a textbook. I nearly gave up a third of the way through, but I am glad I persevered because Suzette has definitely created a whole different dimension with this novel. I can't imagine what it would be like to be considered a child as an adult, and I do wonder whether women in male dominated cultures feel restricted, or whether they have other ways of finding control. Equality for all is a much nicer dream. The theme for me at the end was be careful what you wish for. I don't think I will read more in the series.

stellau's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was a very engaging and entertaining read. I found myself marveling at Elgin’s mind and not just because of her capacity for rich world-building. The characters developed in this book are so nuanced and well-observed(?)...Elgin made me feel like a good listener because she is a good storyteller. You find yourself wanting to drink up more of this novel, while also feeling satisfied at the end. I felt like a voyeur in the best way.
I really liked the narrative. It reflects on the power of image, communication, and language. I feel compelled to become more intentional and crafty in my communication and presentation.
My only wish is that I could immerse myself in their world through more of Elgin’s imagined “artifacts.”

irammy's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself into the world of this book. It really made me think about how language can impact society and behaviour, and vice versa. I'd definitely like to continue reading the trilogy.

noemilysclub's review against another edition

5.0

WOW I loved this so much! I read it all in one day, I couldn't stop! I think the male characters were actually VERY sympathetically written, considering the entire concept of the book is that women have been constitutionally lesser citizens for two centuries. Of course men would naturally think less of them in that situation, it's the entire point. That's the dystopia. I loved how Nazareth wasn't that 'likeable' of a character -- she had had awful things done to her, and she had good intent, but she wasn't the sort of super kind/giving/loving/selfless heroine that would be too easy to write here. I am going to start the second and third ones as soon as I can get my hands on them!

deep_red_rosie's review against another edition

hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

anthea_june's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

wakenda's review against another edition

5.0

I really enjoyed this book, about a patriarchal society where women's rights have been taken away and a group of families of linguists teach their children to be native speakers of both Earth and Alien languages in order to be translators for humanity. I loved the combination of feminism, sci fi and linguistics, which is right up my alley, and I think the idea of creating a specifically feminine con lang for use in a sci fi universe (in contrast to something like Klingon) is neat. The ending was not very satisfying, since it focused on the government men instead of the linguist women who I'm a lot more invested in and didn't really wrap up anything, but it did make me want to go straight on to the next book, so that makes me just feel like it should be read as one big set.

However, if you read the kindle version and are reading the trilogy for the first time DO NOT read the afterword, which contains spoilers for the second book of the trilogy in the very first paragraph (and possibly more than that, but I stopped reading once I realized it was spoilery), which is incredibly bad form and should not have been published in book one without a warning. The preface is part of the novel, though, and you should definitely read that. I love the way the publication of the book itself (as described in the preface) is part of the fictional universe and it fit well with the way she opened each chapter with an excerpt from a primary document to establish and flesh out the world.

stelldichein's review against another edition

challenging dark inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

jo_crescent's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

Worth 5 ⭐️ Not perfect but wonderful, amazing, chilling & inspiring. The wide & varied cast of women & men, all with distinctive personalities operating in the world Suzette Haden Elgin develops is absorbing & fascinating. How have I missed this classic previously?! I have some ideas about why this novel has faded out of the public awareness while The Handmaiden’s Tale has become a touchstone but there’s room for both. Read this now! You won’t regret the time & you’ll also learn a lot about the construction of language… and the power of old women to change the world