Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

492 reviews

geezlouiiise's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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I’ve had the book in my library for a year or two now but only got to it this year (fitting for the times). Octavia Butler has such an enthralling voice, it is so easy to get caught up in this world that is not so far removed from our own. While she discusses some heavy topics throughout the book it is ultimately a story full of hope. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury

I know I put literally every warning I can think of…the instances that these things are mentioned are brief; however, they come up a few times throughout (it’s an apocalyptic hellhole so yeah, feel like it comes with the territory). While these themes can be hard to interact with for some, I personally feel that everyone should read this book.

surfpark's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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The world-building in scary and memorable. This book will stick with you, regardless if you like it or not. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Trafficking, Mass/school shootings, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

laurajw's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional tense 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: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Drug use, Rape

joleneisreading's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark sad tense fast-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: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury

liveyourlife297's review against another edition

4.75

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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I was captivated by this book. It’s very unsettling to read in 2025 though.

The audiobook has a lot of mouth sounds in it that was very distracting to me (someone who hates those kinds of sounds).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Slavery, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Cannibalism

kyshea11's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark reflective sad tense 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: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Rape, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail

hannahspracklin's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark hopeful reflective sad tense 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: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Police brutality, Trafficking, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail

torigottlieb's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism

lennie_reads's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Blood, Trafficking, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail

buggywonderland's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional sad

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Violence

Moderate: Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Torture, Vomit, Cannibalism, Injury/Injury detail