Reinventing the Enemy's Language: Contemporary Native Women's Writings of North America (Paperback)

~ Gloria Bird (Editor), Joy Harjo (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Coeditors Harjo (The Woman Who Fell from the Sky, LJ 11/15/94) and Bird (Full Moon on the Reservation, Greenfield Review, 1994) have put together a one-of-a-kind anthology of fiction, poetry, and memoir from over 80 Native women writers representing over 50 nations. Although nationally known writers such as Louise Erdrich, Linda Hogan, and Leslie Silko are included, many others are being published here for the first time. More than a collection of literature, this work is divided into four sections?genesis, struggle, transformation, and returning?to illuminate the writing process. Each writer introduces herself and her philosophical perspective about writing, and the willingness to share personal stories makes this a work of rare beauty, truth, and power. In addition, the anthology also highlights the writers' views on universal concerns such as violence against women, poverty, alcoholism, depression, government/Native American relations, and, especially, identity and place. Recommended for all libraries.?Vicki Leslie Toy Smith, Univ. of Nevada, Reno
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Harjo and Bird explain that the idea for this unprecedented and invaluable anthology grew out of a cycle of conversations among Native American women about their experiences as members of tribal nations, as Americans and Canadians, and as writers and community leaders. As editors, Harjo and Bird hoped to preserve the positive energy of these candid dialogues, and they have succeeded admirably, collecting more than 80 voices from Maui to Alberta, New Mexico to Michigan. Well-known writers such as Louise Erdrich, Linda Hogan, Leslie Silko, and Janet Campbell Hale are present, and so are the poetry, fiction, and memoirs of native women writers who will be new to most readers. Harjo and Bird have also gone beyond the purely literary realm and published the writings of such activists as Wilma Mankiller, Bea Medicine, Sonlatsa Jim-James, and Winona LaDuke. Donna Seaman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co. (September 17, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393318281
• ISBN-13: 978-0393318289
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #478,197 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars exceptional range of work, November 4, 1999

By A Customer

I teach Native American literature. Since the publication of this book I have been unable to exclude it from my syllabus. Students almost unanimously have endorsed this choice, even when they had to shell out the money for the hardcover. Now that it is in paperback, no one should exclude it.

I only regret that an anthology of similar quality of organization, focus, and selection does not exist for male and female Native writers.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spellbinding Women's Literature, May 25, 2000

By A Customer

I bought this book out of my interest in Indian literature, but found that it resonated as deeply with my non-Indian womaness. Simple and clear, the writings take you all over the place and bring you back to yourself. Thanks to my Indian sisters.