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growintogardens's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.25
I've been meaning to read her work and this book fit one of my reading challenges. A great collection of stories. Some were super disturbing at times, but all them were well written and made me think. The second to last one was probably my favorite. So strange, but powerful. She's definitely great at Sci fi and I'm excited to read more of her stuff.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Gore, Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual content, Medical trauma, War, Grief, Misogyny, Torture, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Incest, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Slavery, Body horror, Confinement, and Medical content
Minor: Death of parent, Child death, Drug use, and Racial slurs
I'm probably forgetting stuff- there's a lot of triggers.bluedinerbusboy's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kdawn999's review against another edition
3.0
I like Butler and I liked these stories overall—especially the two having to do with aliens—but I think her best work is in novel form.
knicke's review against another edition
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I think that Bloodchild is perfectly composed. It includes some lovely afterwards and essays that add a nice touch to the storytelling. Particular favourite entries of mine are “The Book of Martha”, “Near of Kin”, and “Bloodchild”. The two essays, “Positive Obsession” and “Furor Scribendi” are also fantastic. In the afterward to “Positive Obsession”, Butler writes that she has “no doubt at all that the best and most interesting part of [her] is [her] fiction” (136). Her writing is interesting full stop — fiction and otherwise. Reading her fiction never gets old; reading her non-fiction is a perfect treat.
quarkie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
4.75
I've never read any Octavia Butler before, and now I'm wondering what took me so long. Even though in the preface she talks about how she's nor really a writer of short stories, I found these very compelling.
The overarching theme seemed to be "take a societal rule or norm, break it, and then tell a very human and empathic story about those who are involved." In this collection, Butler picked a few very heavy topics such as forced pregnancy, genetic disease, incest, paranoia and delusion, government interrogation, and utopia. But in all cases, she shines such a human light on these challenging topics, and presents you with such different perspectives. I also love that she gives a brief afterward for every story, giving you a glimpse into her thought process or the inspiration for the story.
Really, the only reason I took off a fraction of a star is because sometimes the topics are quite heavy, making them difficult to read.
The two essays that she includes are incredibly compelling. She says that the best part of her is her fiction, but the contents of her essays had me in tears. They contain so much wisdom not just for writers, but for everyone pursuing a path that is difficult.
There were a few quotes that I liked so much that I am considering buying the book, just so I can look back on them:
"If you hard enough at something that doesn't matter, you can forget for a while about the things that do."
"Decide what you want. Aim high. Go for it."
"Make a habit of doing your best."
"If the idea of doing this scares you, fine. Go ahead and be afraid."
"It's amazing what we can do if we simply refuse to give up. I suspect that this is the most important thing I've said in all my interviews and talks as well as in this book. It's a truth that applies to more than writing. It applies to anything that is important, but difficult, important, but frightening. We're all capable of climbing so much higher than we usually permit ourselves to suppose. The word, again, is "persist"!"
The overarching theme seemed to be "take a societal rule or norm, break it, and then tell a very human and empathic story about those who are involved." In this collection, Butler picked a few very heavy topics such as forced pregnancy, genetic disease, incest, paranoia and delusion, government interrogation, and utopia. But in all cases, she shines such a human light on these challenging topics, and presents you with such different perspectives. I also love that she gives a brief afterward for every story, giving you a glimpse into her thought process or the inspiration for the story.
Really, the only reason I took off a fraction of a star is because sometimes the topics are quite heavy, making them difficult to read.
The two essays that she includes are incredibly compelling. She says that the best part of her is her fiction, but the contents of her essays had me in tears. They contain so much wisdom not just for writers, but for everyone pursuing a path that is difficult.
There were a few quotes that I liked so much that I am considering buying the book, just so I can look back on them:
"If you hard enough at something that doesn't matter, you can forget for a while about the things that do."
"Decide what you want. Aim high. Go for it."
"Make a habit of doing your best."
"If the idea of doing this scares you, fine. Go ahead and be afraid."
"It's amazing what we can do if we simply refuse to give up. I suspect that this is the most important thing I've said in all my interviews and talks as well as in this book. It's a truth that applies to more than writing. It applies to anything that is important, but difficult, important, but frightening. We're all capable of climbing so much higher than we usually permit ourselves to suppose. The word, again, is "persist"!"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Terminal illness, and Body horror
Moderate: Incest
nicolembradbury's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
_maren_'s review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Octavia Butler is unmatched when it comes to Weird™ sci-fi. Only 4 stars because not all of these are equally good but there are some stories in here that blew me away. Her mind…
lilaceous's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
characters - ⭐️
plot - .5⭐️
engaging to read - ⭐️
would recommend - ⭐️
would read again - ⭐️
surprising and fascinating. some stories are more noteworthy than others, but none of them are disappointing.
surprising and fascinating. some stories are more noteworthy than others, but none of them are disappointing.
gingerbright's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0