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, RenoCopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.


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


Adrienne Rich
Voices of unquenchable beauty and integrity.


Women's Review of Books
The publication of this anthology . . . marks a new chapter in the prominence of native women's words.


Hungry Mind Review
The cultural experiences each woman relates, whether joyous or grievous, add a beauty and grace to the collection, in the form of a diverse but shared humanity.


San Francisco Chronicle
A collection of important, eloquent, and often mesmerizing writings by American Indian Women. . . . A profoundly moving statement of resilience and renewal.


Book Description
This long-awaited anthology celebrates the experience of Native American women and is at once an important contribution to our literature and an historical document. It is the most comprehensive anthology of its kind to collect poetry, fiction, prayer, and memoir from Native American women. Over eighty writers are represented from nearly fifty nations, including such nationally known writers as Louise Erdrich, Linda Hogan, Leslie Marmon Silko, Lee Maracle, Janet Campbell Hale, and Luci Tapahonso; others-Wilma Mankiller, Winona LaDuke, and Bea Medicine-who are known primarily for their contributions to tribal communities; and some who are published here for the first time in this landmark volume.


Card catalog description
From people who value stories and songs from literary traditions that are as encompassing and intricate as those of Europe, Reinventing the Enemy's Language is the most comprehensive anthology of its kind to collect the poetry, fiction, prayer and memoir from Native American women. It is about the process of writing and speaking that sheds light on what it means to be an Indian woman at the end of the century, as many nations - including the United States and Canada - are involved in the emotionally charged question of identity and place. Over eighty writers are represented from nearly fifty nations.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

From people who value stories and songs from literary traditions that are as encompassing and intricate as those of Europe, Reinventing the Enemy's Language is the most comprehensive anthology of its kind to collect the poetry, fiction, prayer and memoir from Native American women. It is about the process of writing and speaking that sheds light on what it means to be an Indian woman at the end of the century, as many nations - including the United States and Canada - are involved in the emotionally charged question of identity and place. Over eighty writers are represented from nearly fifty nations.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal