Reviews

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

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octophile's review against another edition

4.0

Startlingly deep and complex from what I thought initially was a rather simplistic premise. Should have known better than to doubt one of the greats!

zeev's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative tense medium-paced

5.0

wallflowerbookshop's review against another edition

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5.0

I can't stop thinking about the complexities of these characters - their parallels and differences. Dana v. Alice, Kevin v. Rufus, strange and very complicated. I definitely want to read this book again. I didn't know what I was in for!

soph_or_sofa's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring 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

4.75

Content Warnings

wordmind's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful 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? No

5.0

dreadandsolace's review against another edition

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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.