Reviews

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

strategineer's review

3.0

A post-apocalyptic story following a messiah-like figure who wishes to both: survive the horrific world she lives in with ripped from the 90s headlines / Mad Max roving gangs of murderers and rapists while also founding her own religion.

Uhhhhh very interesting. It's a shame that Octavia E. Butler wasn't able to finish the series. Her work is always interesting if a little uneven.

bebe4l's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective 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

5.0

megoates's review

dark

3.5

nboudreau21's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

hgullegrogan's review against another edition

3.0

The way OEB writes a romance between an 18 and 57 year old is very strange. In a matter of days, Bankole goes from disgust at Lauren's young age to asking for her hand in marriage. It's very weird and unnecessary.

In all, I feel that Lauren's age was a significant part of the story but her character's thinking and behavior (after leaving her gated community) wasn't in line with an 18 yo.

The story line was interesting at times, but I felt it was too on the nose with some of the commentary.

breedee95's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense 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? No

5.0

Octavia Butler knew something! This book is timely, eerie, and just really puts all of us right in the middle of all of our fears. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Blood, and Grief

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Animal death, Child death, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, and Addiction

gilbertbg1's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.5

allthingseryn's review

medium-paced

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

4.75

kadijatu's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

annabtlr's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

4.75