Reviews

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

dreadandsolace's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative sad 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? Yes

4.0

The Solace: This was heartbreakingly good. Kindred is so well-written and pulls the emotions right out of the audience. The story also manages to be an amazing balance between historical fiction, science fiction, and a slavery memoir. For a story that has such fictional items, it also feels so real and true, probably because most of what takes place really did happen—and we're experiencing it through the lens of what-if and the comfort of our living rooms. Again, a balance that feels odd and upsetting (in the best way, I think we're meant to feel this.)

The Dread: Something about the ending just left me wanting more or something else. It wasn't a bad ending—in fact, I very much felt that this was the only way the story could go—but maybe that's why I wanted more, and I imagine that's the feeling you're meant to leave with. 

Overall, this was powerfully sad. By the end, I felt angry, disgusted, and heartbroken. It's one of those stories that I'm wiped out by, but I am so glad I read it for the interesting journey and perspective. 

amhawke's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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? No

4.0

katief1914's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective 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? Yes

5.0

whatnataliereadss's review against another edition

4.0

4.5

moonnett's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.5

donxmore's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

happycrafter207's review against another edition

3.0

I liked this book, but I did feel that the author left a lot to be desired and could have spoken more in depth on a few situations from the story. It would have been good to see more into the relationship of Dana and Kevin. They had a weird dynamic to me. I was a little frustrated with certain scenes and wanted Dana to speak out a little more. Although I got that she was taken back into slave times and had to be careful, there were a few circumstances I found myself frustrated that she did not push back just a little more. Also, there were a few times where characters spoke of Dana speaking too proper. However, all of the characters spoke proper. Every once in a while, the author would remember to throw in a spot of broken english when having a slave speak. But for the most part, they all spoke very well. I think this may have been a minor overlook when written. I wish they would have talked more about what happened during the time that the characters were in the different time periods separated. I recently read the kitchen house and enjoyed that story more, but still, I enjoyed this book.

sarakday's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

sianynicole's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

I really enjoyed the concept of this. I enjoyed how she tackled heritage and the conflicting emotions felt by all characters. The personalities were fleshed out, even side characters felt important. 

kirstenrose22's review against another edition

5.0

This was unbelievably good. A basic time travel scenario - a black woman from 1976 is repeatedly carried back in time to the first half of the 19th century, to protect an ancestor of hers (and ensure that the next generation is born, so that she can someday be born as well). Most of the book is about her efforts to come to terms with life as a black woman / as a slave (because it's almost impossible for her to be anything else) in the historical period - of course, she struggles quite a bit, but also realizes that there are certain things she must do in order to just survive. The contrast between her modern life and the historical one is huge. I think this is one of the best time-travel books I've ever read that really deals with the *psychological* effects. The slavery sections are pretty graphic and horrible - somewhat hard to read - but to good effect.

It makes me wonder what sorts of things my ancestors might have endured on a daily basis that I would have trouble just wrapping my mind around.....

Highly recommended.