Reviews tagging 'War'

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

87 reviews

mmestitches's review

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Powerful boo, but stressful to read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Incest, Blood, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Trafficking, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, War, and Injury/Injury detail

nic_literarylair's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

Octavia Butler's "Parable of the Sower" is a captivating journey into a dystopian future that eerily resembles the challenges of our present day. From the moment I picked up this book, I found it impossible to put down, captivated by its narrative and the striking parallels it draws to our world today. It masterfully blends elements of science fiction with social commentary, making it a compelling and relevant read.

Butler's storytelling is nothing short of masterful, drawing you into the mind of the protagonist, Lauren Olamina, with an authenticity that vividly portrays her growth from a sheltered, introspective teenager to a resilient and empathetic leader. The novel's portrayal of hyper-empathy, a condition Lauren possesses that allows her to share in the physical and emotional sensations of those around her, bridges the gap between fiction and reality. It encourages readers to reflect on the power of empathy and the profound consequences of truly understanding the suffering of others.

In a world marked by economic disparities, debt slavery, and corporate exploitation, "Parable of the Sower" unflinchingly delves into the pressing issues of capitalism. It paints a haunting picture of a society where the gap between the affluent and the destitute is insurmountable. The struggles faced by the characters mirror the real-life consequences of unchecked capitalism, serving as a stark warning about the dangers of economic disparity. 

Butler's exploration of systemic racism is poignant. The story vividly portrays a society where racial hierarchies persist, resulting in discrimination, violence, and segregation. The characters' struggles to survive in this context serve as a powerful commentary on the enduring struggles faced by marginalized communities. Amidst these themes, the narrative also addresses environmental degradation, depicting a world ravaged by climate change and colonialism.

"Parable of the Sower" is not just a work of fiction; it is a powerful call to action, imploring us to address these themes before they manifest as a bleak prophecy. It reminds us that, if we choose to heed the warning it offers, we have the potential to come together and enact positive and lasting change in the face of adversity.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Murder, and War

Moderate: Addiction and Rape

denlia's review against another edition

dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and War

studydniowka's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Najlepsza książka, jaką przeczytałam w tym roku. Wybitna, miażdżąca, inspirująca. Uważam, że każdy powinien ją przeczytać i wziąć sobie do serca tę historię, dobrze, że mam drugi tom na półce, bo nie wytrzymałabym bez kontynuacji tej historii.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, and Cannibalism

troyb3's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, and War

joharrismay's review

adventurous dark sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

One of my all time favs. I haven’t read it in a while just it’s so good.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, War, and Injury/Injury detail

danielleeejames's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, and War

raelinrou's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Trafficking, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

rachelmerrie's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The first half was very interesting, the second half lost my attention. I think the second half maybe was just as interesting, just dragged on? The concept is so captivating and challenging. Worth the read, tons of TWs. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Trafficking, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Cannibalism, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail

nojerama's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Terrifyingly plausible, absolutely gripping, should be required reading everywhere. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Incest, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Dementia, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation