Stealing the Language: The Emergence of Women's Poetry in America

by Alicia Suskin Ostriker

Probes the origins and significance of contemporary women's poetry and examines the works of such diverse poets as Denise Levertov, Gwendolyn Brooks, Maxine Kumin, Lucille Clifton, May Swenson, and Judy Grahn

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Feminism, Literary Criticism

315 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Alicia Suskin Ostriker is an American poet and scholar who writes Jewish feminist poetry.

Reviews

[Reegan Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely vital for any fan of Plath or Rich <3 4.5 stars

[Rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so grateful this book exists. Absolutely imperative for any working poet, and especially women poets, to have this as a resource, a guide, and a history. I only wish there were a more recent edition taking in the last 20 years of women's poetry!

[Sherry Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to put this book right up there with The Madwoman in the Attic as a classic of feminist criticism. What Gilbert and Gubar did for the novel, Ostriker does for poetry. And since my formal education, back in the dark ages now (and it didn't get much past the Victorians anyway), was thoroughly steeped in the male canon, I desperately needed the balance Ostriker supplies. Though it is 20 years old, we seem to be in a period of backlash against "confessional" poets like Plath and Sexton, and I still needed to hear what this book has to say. I'd say I wish I'd read it sooner, but I tend to think there's a karma that guides us to read a book when we need to read it.

[Robin Dilks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Alicia Ostriker. Her writing is thought provoking and her poetry is beautiful without being sappy or weak. I loved Stealing Language. Ostriker is one of the predominant poets & writers of our lifetime.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on the topic!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is gold. I wish that I would have read it sooner instead of putting it off for so long.

[Julia Cimafiejeva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and informative. I'd like to use Alicia Ostraker's ideas for analyzing Belarusian female poetry.

[Isla McKetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I couldn't bear to read the first 60 pages about the total and utter subjugation of women's poetry before the late 1800s, the rest of this book provided solid insights on both poetic trends and how they fit into feminism over time. I learned a lot as a writer and as a woman and reading this book has not only made me a more courageous writer, but it fleshed out my reading list as well.

[Leah Hedrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be required reading for any academic studying feminist literature, or any feminist studying literature or any feminist writer. It's a map of our heritage as women writers in the United States.

[Amina ELYOUSEFI]

Men, according to Alicai Ostriker, are exposed to trouble and feel excited and contribute to the reproduction of the human species, they get sick, and aging
Men come from nature just like women !