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Ozark Trilogy #1-3
The Ozark Trilogy
The Ozark Trilogy (previously published in 1981, Doubleday) is a widely acclaimed fantasy/science fiction story with, as the title suggests, very strong ties to the Ozark region. Twelve Fair Kingdoms , The Grand Jubilee , And Then There’ll Be Fireworks —the books that comprise the trilogy—chronicle life on the planet Ozark and its Confederation of Continents, which are appropriately named Arkansaw, Oklahomah, Mizzurah, Tinaseeh, Kintucky, and Marktwain. However, the story told here involves much more than a mere transplant of Ozark culture and heritage onto a new planet. While this new Ozark culture maintains and even intensifies many of the “real” Ozark traditions and customs (for instance, “Grannys” hold significant, stabilizing social roles and are important sources of wisdom), the planet Ozark combines many new, fantastical elements with traditional ways. Mules on Ozark fly, and the wise “Grannys” also work magic. The protagonist of The Ozark Trilogy , Responsible of Brightwater, appears at the center of Ozark society, a society she must save from evil magic, civil war, and, ultimately, alien invasion. As Responsible travels from continent to continent in an attempt to discover and squelch the evil magic and calm the civil unrest, we are witness to many dangerous and sometimes comical adventures along the way, including a spectacular flying Mule crash and a magic duel with a Granny gone bad. Elgin has created a fantastic world infused with the folk traditions, social and familial hierarchies, and traditional dialect of the Ozarks. While parallels might be drawn between, for example, the break-up of the Confederacy of Continents on planet Ozark and the American Civil War, Elgin comments on aspects of Ozark history and tradition in a non didactic way. The trilogy, with its strong heroine and witty engagement of tradition, is a classic of Ozark literature.
506 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
9 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
Suzette Haden Elgin
96 books184 followersSuzette Haden Elgin was an American science fiction author. She founded the Science Fiction Poetry Association, and is considered an important figure in the field of science fiction constructed languages. Elgin was also a linguist; she published non-fiction, of which the best-known is the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense series.
Born in 1936 in Missouri, Elgin attended the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in the 1960s, and began writing science fiction in order to pay tuition. She has a Ph.D. in linguistics, and was the first UCSD student to ever write two dissertations (on English and Navajo). She created the engineered language Láadan for her Native Tongue science fiction series. A grammar and dictionary was published in 1985. She is a supporter of feminist science fiction, saying "women need to realize that SF is the only genre of literature in which it's possible for a writer to explore the question of what this world would be like if you could get rid of [X], where [X] is filled in with any of the multitude of real world facts that constrain and oppress women. Women need to treasure and support science fiction." [1]
In addition, she published works of shorter fiction. Overlying themes in her work include feminism, linguistics and the impact of language, and peaceful coexistence with nature. Many of her works also draw from her Ozark background and heritage.
Elgin became a professor at her alma mater's cross-town rival, San Diego State University (SDSU). She retired in 1980.
Born in 1936 in Missouri, Elgin attended the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in the 1960s, and began writing science fiction in order to pay tuition. She has a Ph.D. in linguistics, and was the first UCSD student to ever write two dissertations (on English and Navajo). She created the engineered language Láadan for her Native Tongue science fiction series. A grammar and dictionary was published in 1985. She is a supporter of feminist science fiction, saying "women need to realize that SF is the only genre of literature in which it's possible for a writer to explore the question of what this world would be like if you could get rid of [X], where [X] is filled in with any of the multitude of real world facts that constrain and oppress women. Women need to treasure and support science fiction." [1]
In addition, she published works of shorter fiction. Overlying themes in her work include feminism, linguistics and the impact of language, and peaceful coexistence with nature. Many of her works also draw from her Ozark background and heritage.
Elgin became a professor at her alma mater's cross-town rival, San Diego State University (SDSU). She retired in 1980.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 29, 2021
Ok, the covers are both horrible. The feminist message is a bit strident. The trilogy is linked, and no one book stands alone "atall" as the Grannies would say. The world-building and the strategies are so rich that I could not fully immerse myself in the epic, but had to be fully aware of the details as I went along.
But oh what a creative, refreshing world. A bit like a Sword&Sorcery epic but actually very different.
For example, I absolutely loved the subtle differences in language/ formspeech that indicate what position the speaker holds. The Grannies have a speech mode most traditional, most like the 'hillbillies' of Earth from a millennium back. The Magicians of Rank speak most correctly. But almost everybody says 'of' instead of 'have' as in 'We would of liked more time.'
If you can get a copy, and the time to read it, and aren't a thin-skinned male, I do recommend this original, clever story. But I won't go so far as to push if you're not interested.
But oh what a creative, refreshing world. A bit like a Sword&Sorcery epic but actually very different.
For example, I absolutely loved the subtle differences in language/ formspeech that indicate what position the speaker holds. The Grannies have a speech mode most traditional, most like the 'hillbillies' of Earth from a millennium back. The Magicians of Rank speak most correctly. But almost everybody says 'of' instead of 'have' as in 'We would of liked more time.'
If you can get a copy, and the time to read it, and aren't a thin-skinned male, I do recommend this original, clever story. But I won't go so far as to push if you're not interested.
November 23, 2011
I read this so many times in high school that my name is on the card in the back of the book more than anyone else's. When they were weeding the shelves, they discarded this one and gave it to me. I still love reading it just as much as I did 15 years ago.
July 15, 2017
These books were written as a single story in the author's intention, divided into a trilogy by her publisher. I am therefore reviewing the trilogy as a whole, because the individual books are less satisfying as stand-alones.
Elgin has created a unique and charming setting, the particulars of which subvert many of the clichés of standard fantasy or science fiction (and, as others have mentioned, this series falls between easy catagorization as either).
A great deal of the charm of these books comes from the author's command of dialect. The style was distracting for perhaps the first few chapters but once I became familiar with its cadences, it did a marvelous job of giving depth to the setting. Colloquial usage such as "should of" for "should have" are commonplace not just in dialogue but in the narrative voice of the novels, by intention.
The first installment is the lightest, with only hints of the deeper or darker themes explored later in the series, and is largely a tour of the setting to introduce the reader to its peculiarities and to its inhabitants through the classic motif of a Quest (understood as a concept worth the capitalization by this society).
The heroine is engaging, with reasonable limitations on her powers and influence, and is interestingly flawed and fallible. In the following books, the narrative follows multiple characters, and seeing the world from their perspective deepens the setting considerably. Indeed, the heroine is out of action for almost the entire last volume which is by far the heaviest of the three.
If one were to want to try any of these alone, I'd recommend the first as it does have something like a resolution of its particular plot. But the trilogy all together is a much more satisfying story than Twelve Fair Kingdoms alone. The second and third volumes almost require the first for exposition, and would likely frustrate a reader who has not previously read this.
The used copies I bought (sadly, discards from various libraries) did not include a map of the planet Ozark, but I was able to track down a facsimile from another edition online. Elgin describes the geography fairly clearly in the text, however, and I was not utterly confounded without it. Fans of fantasy maps should be assured that one exists, however.
All in all, an entertaining read, and a series I will definitely re-read with pleasure. 4 stars.
Elgin has created a unique and charming setting, the particulars of which subvert many of the clichés of standard fantasy or science fiction (and, as others have mentioned, this series falls between easy catagorization as either).
A great deal of the charm of these books comes from the author's command of dialect. The style was distracting for perhaps the first few chapters but once I became familiar with its cadences, it did a marvelous job of giving depth to the setting. Colloquial usage such as "should of" for "should have" are commonplace not just in dialogue but in the narrative voice of the novels, by intention.
The first installment is the lightest, with only hints of the deeper or darker themes explored later in the series, and is largely a tour of the setting to introduce the reader to its peculiarities and to its inhabitants through the classic motif of a Quest (understood as a concept worth the capitalization by this society).
The heroine is engaging, with reasonable limitations on her powers and influence, and is interestingly flawed and fallible. In the following books, the narrative follows multiple characters, and seeing the world from their perspective deepens the setting considerably. Indeed, the heroine is out of action for almost the entire last volume which is by far the heaviest of the three.
If one were to want to try any of these alone, I'd recommend the first as it does have something like a resolution of its particular plot. But the trilogy all together is a much more satisfying story than Twelve Fair Kingdoms alone. The second and third volumes almost require the first for exposition, and would likely frustrate a reader who has not previously read this.
The used copies I bought (sadly, discards from various libraries) did not include a map of the planet Ozark, but I was able to track down a facsimile from another edition online. Elgin describes the geography fairly clearly in the text, however, and I was not utterly confounded without it. Fans of fantasy maps should be assured that one exists, however.
All in all, an entertaining read, and a series I will definitely re-read with pleasure. 4 stars.
December 1, 2011
Knew I had to buy my own copy less than three pages in. The first book is my favorite for the narrator, the second captivated through the trembling tension as a way of life falls apart and the third sears the heart through the different ways each kingdom finds to move on. The sci-fi/fantasy world is very tightly written and fascinatingly unique. Flying mules!
Only notable criticism I'd offer is that the third book felt to me that it should have been longer.
"Whoever is doing this, they would be delighted to have us ignore it all, and everybody snickering behind their hands at us for cowards and weaklings... and it is in the hope that we will be fools enough to do that that they've kept every move to pestering only and not gone forward to injury. If they can bring us down for two cents why spend two dollers?" p 15
I'd done all I was willing to do, and more than she deserved, out of regard for her Family, and pity for her folly, and out of the kind of distaste that comes from dealing with an enemy that's really no match for your skills. 162
"Leave you in peace ?"
"Please, Granny Hazelbide. Pretty please."
"Think you deserve peace, young lady?" she demanded.
"No, Granny, I doubt I deserve it atall, "I said frankly. "I just asked for it- I didn't say I had it coming to me."
She chuckled. And patted me knee.
"All right, then," she said. "Long as you're staying honest with your poor old Granny." p171
Patience of Clark wasted no words on her husband unless she was convinced he couldn't be relied to talk himself into silence unassisted. p 190
"A Mule," he said, "is worth a man's respect. Won't do fool things no matter who tries to make it; keeps itself to itself and has no patience for human nonsense; works hard for it's keep and asks no quarter of anybody or anything; and'd take your hand off as soon as look at you if you don't play fair. Mules, my dea, are entitled ." p 241
There is no harsher judgement in all this world, thought Gilead, than that of an Ozark woman for a female that can't cope. p 309
What a woman can do provided she's driven sufficiently -not that;s been a wonder since the beginning of time." p 331
Those that spoke rarely, when they did speak it tended to be significant and to be what everybody else was thinking and hadn't gotten up gumption to give voice to. p 393
Relations, like poison plants and balky Mules and the occasional foolfish spoiling a catch, were part of the territoru' wasn't anybody didn't have kinfolk the'd just as soon not of.
They'd had their instructions from the Grannys: "You leave her alone, she'll leave you alone." Same instructions for most pesky and viperous things in this world, and the'd proved accurate enough. p 401-402
Only notable criticism I'd offer is that the third book felt to me that it should have been longer.
"Whoever is doing this, they would be delighted to have us ignore it all, and everybody snickering behind their hands at us for cowards and weaklings... and it is in the hope that we will be fools enough to do that that they've kept every move to pestering only and not gone forward to injury. If they can bring us down for two cents why spend two dollers?" p 15
I'd done all I was willing to do, and more than she deserved, out of regard for her Family, and pity for her folly, and out of the kind of distaste that comes from dealing with an enemy that's really no match for your skills. 162
"Leave you in peace ?"
"Please, Granny Hazelbide. Pretty please."
"Think you deserve peace, young lady?" she demanded.
"No, Granny, I doubt I deserve it atall, "I said frankly. "I just asked for it- I didn't say I had it coming to me."
She chuckled. And patted me knee.
"All right, then," she said. "Long as you're staying honest with your poor old Granny." p171
Patience of Clark wasted no words on her husband unless she was convinced he couldn't be relied to talk himself into silence unassisted. p 190
"A Mule," he said, "is worth a man's respect. Won't do fool things no matter who tries to make it; keeps itself to itself and has no patience for human nonsense; works hard for it's keep and asks no quarter of anybody or anything; and'd take your hand off as soon as look at you if you don't play fair. Mules, my dea, are entitled ." p 241
There is no harsher judgement in all this world, thought Gilead, than that of an Ozark woman for a female that can't cope. p 309
What a woman can do provided she's driven sufficiently -not that;s been a wonder since the beginning of time." p 331
Those that spoke rarely, when they did speak it tended to be significant and to be what everybody else was thinking and hadn't gotten up gumption to give voice to. p 393
Relations, like poison plants and balky Mules and the occasional foolfish spoiling a catch, were part of the territoru' wasn't anybody didn't have kinfolk the'd just as soon not of.
They'd had their instructions from the Grannys: "You leave her alone, she'll leave you alone." Same instructions for most pesky and viperous things in this world, and the'd proved accurate enough. p 401-402
January 10, 2025
Loved this! Space travel, magic, brilliant eldest daughters. I did find the use of "of" instead of "have" was a bit distracting though I understand why Elgin used it because the Ozarkers spoke that way.
This book is funny, witty, imaginative, and a great read.
This book is funny, witty, imaginative, and a great read.
March 15, 2021
Like all series, the first is the best, and they go downhill from. Didactic.
October 4, 2021
Inventive, but a few too many characters to follow, and parts did not hang together as they might of...
May 14, 2022
Quirky fantasy/sci fi. It was a little strange at times, a little didactic at times, a little perplexing at times. But it was a fun and interesting read - and written by a local author, to boot.
staff-picks
November 18, 2025Recommended by Kimba
This title is available on the Libby app. Search by title or access it directly here: https://share.libbyapp.com/title/5603250
This title is available on the Libby app. Search by title or access it directly here: https://share.libbyapp.com/title/5603250
August 15, 2015
It should come as no surprise that Elgin's writing reminds me of Ursula K. Le Guin. It was Le Guin's blurb on the cover of Elgin's Native Tongue that first drew me to her writing.
Responsible of Brightwater is an eight, and her elder sister Troublesome of Brightwater is a seven. Naming conventions and the numbers they generate for the females of the species are not merely important, they are determinate. Things go south when the females don't live up to the expectations of their naming number. Twos, just for example are supposed to be compliant. It's not random; the wise old Grannies are responsible for all this naming and they have Granny Magic at their beck.
The planet Ozark, where the tale takes place, discovered and settled by humans in the 24th century CE without too much fuss from the sentient species already there resident, is a planet governed by magic (could of been science, but that's not how it happened). Six continents, 12 Kingdoms with their Castles and the Masters thereof, nine Magicians of Rank, other magicians, the aforementioned Grannies, a human population whose growth is controlled so as not to overburden the planet and create tensions with the other residents, and a couple of females of the Kingdom of Brightwater who have a whole lot to do with whether the world will go on turning as it ought.
Responsible of Brightwater is an eight, and her elder sister Troublesome of Brightwater is a seven. Naming conventions and the numbers they generate for the females of the species are not merely important, they are determinate. Things go south when the females don't live up to the expectations of their naming number. Twos, just for example are supposed to be compliant. It's not random; the wise old Grannies are responsible for all this naming and they have Granny Magic at their beck.
The planet Ozark, where the tale takes place, discovered and settled by humans in the 24th century CE without too much fuss from the sentient species already there resident, is a planet governed by magic (could of been science, but that's not how it happened). Six continents, 12 Kingdoms with their Castles and the Masters thereof, nine Magicians of Rank, other magicians, the aforementioned Grannies, a human population whose growth is controlled so as not to overburden the planet and create tensions with the other residents, and a couple of females of the Kingdom of Brightwater who have a whole lot to do with whether the world will go on turning as it ought.
May 31, 2021
Last book is best
Long wandering tale that takes forever and a day to get to its point. I almost DNF but the last section picked up and moved to and through a reasonably satisfying climax.
Long wandering tale that takes forever and a day to get to its point. I almost DNF but the last section picked up and moved to and through a reasonably satisfying climax.
May 20, 2016
I really enjoyed the first book, the character of Responsible and the world that was created, but then I was disappointed with where it went.
Want to read
February 26, 2018Surprisingly, it looks like my library owns this and it looks intriguing in spite of this super boring cover art. I'm going to need to squeeze it in sometime.
I see her books have been compared to Terry Pratchett. Hmmmm....
I see her books have been compared to Terry Pratchett. Hmmmm....
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews