Life Is a Fatal Disease: Selected Poems, 1962-1995

This omnibus collection richly reflects the experience of its already legendary author, invoking myth and history, tragedy and comedy, narrative and lyric, nightmare and the clear light of day. Allen works in a great tradition of storytelling and education, delight-making and argument to bring a multitude of people, places, and situations before us. Particularly compelling is the variety of her poetic skills: her rich references, her lyrical flights, and, always, her earnest and compassionate voice. Born in Cubero, New Mexico, a Spanish land grant village adjacent to Laguna Pueblo, Allen is of Laguna/Sioux/Lebanese/Scotch-American descent. Her mother's Laguna people are Keres speakers. Her father, Lee Francis, who grew up speaking Spanish and Arabic, went on to become lieutenant governor of New Mexico (1967-1970). Among the numerous books written and edited by Paula Gunn Allen are Spider Woman's Granddaughters: Traditional Tales and Contemporary Writing by Native American Woman and The Sacred Hoop: Recovering the Feminine in American Indian Tradition. She is professor of English at UCLA.