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cebolla's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
Science fiction is my favorite fiction genre. Mix in some visionary fiction and have it be written by someone who sees the world through an anticapitalist lens, and you have the recipe for Octavia’s Brood; a collection of short stories written by an array of “organizers and activists.” adrienne maree brown—who I’ve been a huge fan of for a long time—said, in the outro: “Science fiction is the perfect ‘exploring ground,’ as it gives us the opportunity to play with different outcomes and strategies before we have to deal with the real-world costs.” The world is fucked and reading visionary sci-fi helps me imagine some ways that could go.
I don’t think the writing in this book is the best, most captivating (though some is), and I like short stories even less when they’re sci-fi (that shit needs time to build a world for us), but it was definitely worth the read. I’ve read a lot of books that have referenced it and have been wanting to read it since it came out in 2015.
My favorite stories were: The Token Superhero by David F Walker, Black Angel by Walidah Imarisha, The Long Memory by Morrigan Phillips, and Kafka’s Last Laugh by Vagabond. There were only one or two that I really didn’t like. Check it out. It may still be on sale at AK Press or, if you live local, borrow it from me.
I don’t think the writing in this book is the best, most captivating (though some is), and I like short stories even less when they’re sci-fi (that shit needs time to build a world for us), but it was definitely worth the read. I’ve read a lot of books that have referenced it and have been wanting to read it since it came out in 2015.
My favorite stories were: The Token Superhero by David F Walker, Black Angel by Walidah Imarisha, The Long Memory by Morrigan Phillips, and Kafka’s Last Laugh by Vagabond. There were only one or two that I really didn’t like. Check it out. It may still be on sale at AK Press or, if you live local, borrow it from me.
outcolder's review against another edition
4.0
It’s surprising how good many of these stories by people who are not normally considered authors were. Many times, I would finish a story, want to read more by the author, and then discover that the person in question is primarily an artist or activist and has no other published SFF. Most of the stories set up a dystopia that feels terribly plausible, then opens the crack that hope can shine through, and then abruptly ends. Sometimes the hope isn’t even that solid, as in the story where the oppressed learn to laugh again, or the one about out-of-body experiences. My favorite in here was a lighthearted Sanford and Son script that confronts Red Foxx’s character with Sun Ra and his Arkestra.
slawler's review against another edition
3.0
I love what this book represents, what it's trying to do - social justice work and BIPOC voices deserve more space in speculative fiction - I just didn't love all the stories.
Since most of these authors were first-time writers, many of these stories were underdeveloped and ended abruptly, and some of the messaging was very ham-fisted.
There were some gems that were well-written and thought provoking. I especially enjoyed: the river, little brown mouse, Manhunter, The Long Memory
Since most of these authors were first-time writers, many of these stories were underdeveloped and ended abruptly, and some of the messaging was very ham-fisted.
There were some gems that were well-written and thought provoking. I especially enjoyed: the river, little brown mouse, Manhunter, The Long Memory
hannah_gallagher's review against another edition
favs: the river, Sanford and Sun, Homing Instinct, Small and Bright
corngod31's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.25
Love the idea of visionary fiction, but the stories all left me hanging at the end and that was a challenge for me. I need more of these stories!
tvevangelist's review against another edition
Not enough bandwidth to read a short story collection before book club that quickly
suhly's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
lee_loryn_'s review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed all of the stories in this book. I'm definitely for sure so very inspired to read, 'Fire On The Mountain' by Terry Bisson - in its entirety. It sucked me in and when the excerpt was over it was all sad and yearny in my head.
mariannes's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
seascape62's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
read this one as a part of a readalong with some other fellow book club members, and enjoyed (and still am enjoying!) the commentary and conversations that it fostered. having only read one of octavia's books so far (parable of the sower), i could still understand and appreciate the octavia-inspired central thread of change throughout this anthology. there were definitely some stories that resonated more than others, and a few that i was just dying to get even a few more pages of, given their intensity and intrigue. overall, a neat read by a collection of very talented artists, writers, researchers, and authors.