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Date: | Wed, 12 Dec 2001 08:09:59 -0800 |
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Another, less prolific, author along the lines of Ursula Leguin is Mary
Doria Russell, an anthropologist. Two great books, The Sparrow and
Children of God.
>>> [log in to unmask] 12/12/01 12:10AM >>>
In message <[log in to unmask]>, Automatic digest processor
<[log in to unmask]> writes
>I believe Pat is talking about Ursula Leguin, who wrote a series of
thought
>provoking tales using anthropological concepts with alien planets and
races
>as the backdrop.
Yes, indeed. I picked _Rocannon's World_ because it's a retelling of
an
older story (I won't say where from, as that's a spoiler). Suzette
Elgin has an even closer link to historical archaeology than being the
daughter of an anthropologist: she actually _is_ an anthropologist (of
the linguistic sub-species).
Elgin's work, naturally, focusses on language rather than material
culture (although she's got a great depiction of the role of material
culture in passive resistance). Material culture is often overlooked
at
any more sophisticated level than that of 'us' or 'them' poking
curiously at the shiny box with the flashy lights.
Best wishes to all
Pat
--
Pat Reynolds
[log in to unmask]
"It might look a bit messy now, but just you come back in 500 years
time"
(T. Pratchett)
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