Reviews

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

olka_ruzik's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

silverfronds's review against another edition

3.75

I think I wanted a little more from this after hearing so much praise about how fitting it was for our current times. It was still a great book, but maybe because I'm not religious I didn't connect with the Earthseed concept as much as others might. I still thought this was a great, almost post-apocalyptic story, very haunting and dark, but also hopeful and abounding in appreciation for human perseverance. I definitely plan to read the second book.

nika_reads's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

jluv1220's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-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? Yes

5.0

jennschrauben's review against another edition

4.5

Adding a cult/religious aspect to this post-apocalyptic story could have been really bad, but instead it really invigorated the dark story with a lot of hope and beauty.

carie's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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? Yes

4.75

lias_reading_list's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark reflective medium-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

Although the book was published in 1993, reading this in 2024, the year the story starts, makes it feel all too realistic. It feels like a wisely predicted look into our not-too-far future and makes me scared for what living on this planet could come to unless we make some drastic changes to our current systems and ways of living. Filled with lots of diverse and complex characters, and a constant sense of tension, I couldn't put it down and read the entire book in two days! (which has become a rare occurence for me in this time of constant distractions)

An important read that might help people become more aware of where we're heading and just how important it is to actively influence the future of humankind.

nat_montego's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

anadv11's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

bookwormsarah's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

Young Lauren Olamina lives in dystopic America, where poverty and scarcity of ressources force neighbourhoods like hers to build high walls and keep to themselves. Outside is dangerous, full of poorer, hungrier, more desperate people, ready to steal and kill to survive. They keep trying to get inside, and Lauren is convinced that one day they'll succeed. Even if the rest of her neighbors don't want to face that possibility, she keeps herself ready. Despite her Baptist upbringing, Lauren starts to create a new religion: Earthseed.

I really enjoyed the diary format of this book. Written in the 1990s, it starts in 2024, the year I am reading this, and it is scary how plausible the dystopia is. Lauren's character is interesting, and I like that she tries to create her religion based on what she believes to be true, not for personal gain.