BOOK REVIEW ASSIGNMENT

Choose a SF novel that you find interesting from a linguistic point of view, and write a 3-5 page review (typed, double-spaced) of how linguistic/communication concepts are handled.

[NOTE that it is NOT necessary to give a synopsis of the plot or a discussion/interpretation of the themes, except as far as they relate to language/communication issues. Be sure to explain clearly who/what is communicating with what/whom, how, why, in what language(s), etc.]

Remember that you are writing this review for an audience of linguists: make references to the concepts introduced in class and use proper linguistic terminology.

Some questions to consider:

-- What role do linguistic/communication issues play in the plot? (How important are these issues? If they are badly done, will it ruin the work?) How do these issues relate to the theme(s) of the work?

-- Point out any linguistic errors or oversimplifications. How might the author(s) have corrected these errors, or gotten around the problems?

-- Give the author(s) credit for any original ideas relating to language/communication. Anything clever? Anything well-done, accurate, clearly researched?

If you can't find a book for yourself, you're not trying. However... here are some suggestions:

ALIEN PLANET - Fletcher Pratt (1932)

MEMOIRS OF A SPACEWOMAN - Naomi Mitchison (1962)

LITTLE FUZZY - H. Beam Piper (1962)

THE BALLAD OF BETA 2 - Samuel R. Delany (1965)

THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS - Robert Heinlein (1966)

THIS PERFECT DAY - Ira Levin (1970)

BATTLEFIELD EARTH - L. Ron Hubbard

ALIEN PERSPECTIVE - David Houston (1978)

RIDDLEY WALKER - Russel Hoban (1980)

BRIGHTNESS REEF - David Brin

CONTACT - Carl Sagan (1985)

A DOOR INTO OCEAN - Joan Slonczewski (1986)

ALIEN TONGUE - Stephen Leigh (1991)

FEERSUM ENDJINN - Iain Banks (1994)

LIFE FORM - Alan Dean Foster (1995)

EGGHEADS - Emily Devenport (1996)

Read the SPOILER WARNING before choosing a book!

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