At the Seventh Level was the first of Elgin's books I ever read, way back in the mists of time... it really struck me powerfully, in part for the feminist dystopian aspect, and in part for the poetry. Actually, I had wanted to put on the list another sf book from the same era that also has a strong poetic presence, but David nabbed it first.

Always Coming Home is my absolute favourite Leguin book, and that's saying a lot, considering how much I like so many of her other books as well.

And what can be said of Jane Austen that you didn't alreay say?