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In 2205, the 19th Amendment has long been repealed and women are only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)
