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jpluff2334's review against another edition
5.0
When I opened the book and saw that this grim dystopian novel starts out in the year 2024, I knew this story would be unsettling. This book definitely overwhelmed me in the sense that it felt way too real. Octavia E. Butler is an incredible writer and she wrote this is in the early 1990s thinking that this was the path our country was heading. It certainly seems like it could come true. This book is heavy and discusses themes of social inequalities, race, gender, climate change, politics, and religion.
The main character Lauren was multi-dimensional and without her this story wouldn’t have been nearly as good. She has an illness where she is hyper empathetic meaning she can feel others’ pain and it adds an interesting element to the story. The whole book is supposed to be acting as her “bible” of sorts because she has discovered/created a new religion called Earthseed and the main concept is “God is change”. It’s what keeps her going and she plans her whole future around it.
This book definitely gets dark, there’s lots of death and horror surrounding them. The characters don’t know who they can trust but even with betrayal, found family and friendships blossom. The world is truly left in utter chaos and just keeps getting more fractured. Although Lauren has hope while navigating what community means to her, I’m left with a feeling of despair and dread for what might be our future.
The main character Lauren was multi-dimensional and without her this story wouldn’t have been nearly as good. She has an illness where she is hyper empathetic meaning she can feel others’ pain and it adds an interesting element to the story. The whole book is supposed to be acting as her “bible” of sorts because she has discovered/created a new religion called Earthseed and the main concept is “God is change”. It’s what keeps her going and she plans her whole future around it.
This book definitely gets dark, there’s lots of death and horror surrounding them. The characters don’t know who they can trust but even with betrayal, found family and friendships blossom. The world is truly left in utter chaos and just keeps getting more fractured. Although Lauren has hope while navigating what community means to her, I’m left with a feeling of despair and dread for what might be our future.
chocolatechip's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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? No
smirm's review against another edition
3.0
For a book written in the 90s, it eerily depicts a life in 2024 that could easily become our reality. It took so long to read this book for that very reason. Too many moments were uncomfortable to get through in one sitting. Outside of the content, the characters were easy to connect to and visualize, but sometimes it felt repetitive. Though I am curious what happens next for the characters, I don't think I have it in me to go beyond book #1.
goopmoth's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
taniadoes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
the fact that it was written in what seemed like a far future to Butler, but to me is the near future tripped me out. this book as is a must read though as there are some aspects of our world that are looking way to close to the events of this book. It made me reflect on the importance of contributing time and talents and skills towards the good of the collective.
podanotherjessi's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I recognize the objective quality of this book. The writing is really incredible. There was a reflective and moving quality to the book that I enjoyed. But there was just no plot, and I was so bored.
This book is very episodic, which is a style that almost never works for me. There were some really exciting moments that I liked, when there was action or good character moments or conflict that was engaging. But most of the book was slow and plodding.
I also was lost by the worldbuilding. The explanation around what has happened to the world was just too vague. "Environmental disaster" is just too vague, and how di things escalate so quickly to be where it is? When it comes to apocalyptic stories, I just need more details.
And it's a small thing, but Lauren is just too competent and perfect. She never messes up, never has an emotional response. She's not unbelievable, but she's boring.
And yet, I still appreciate the book as a whole. Beautifully written. Poignant social commentary. As a vehicle for discussion, it's great. But as a story, it's just kind of dull.
This book is very episodic, which is a style that almost never works for me. There were some really exciting moments that I liked, when there was action or good character moments or conflict that was engaging. But most of the book was slow and plodding.
I also was lost by the worldbuilding. The explanation around what has happened to the world was just too vague. "Environmental disaster" is just too vague, and how di things escalate so quickly to be where it is? When it comes to apocalyptic stories, I just need more details.
And it's a small thing, but Lauren is just too competent and perfect. She never messes up, never has an emotional response. She's not unbelievable, but she's boring.
And yet, I still appreciate the book as a whole. Beautifully written. Poignant social commentary. As a vehicle for discussion, it's great. But as a story, it's just kind of dull.
txa1265's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
This book has been on my TBR for ages and I FINALLY got to it - and am so glad I did. It is gorgeous, insightful, depressing, and way too prescient as we look back from 30 years after release.
iridescentjemz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-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? No
3.5
I wanted to like this a lot more than I did as I’d read and heard such great reviews but I found it really difficult to get through. The premise is great and I loved Octavia’s writing but I didn’t feel connected to the story or any of the characters.
It felt like a lot of build up for not much to happen, weirdly, even though the characters do go through a lot of peril. I hope that this book is the world building for the next book and that can give me the connection to the story and characters that I was missing.
I thought the idea of Lauren’s sharing/hyperempathy was intriguing but I think it felt a bit flat, as it only really becomes important when it puts her in peril. I thought it might make her feel more connected to the other characters, especially the other sharers but it didn’t. However the other sharers didn’t arrive until quite late in the story so perhaps there wasn’t time to explore that.
I will read more of Octavia Butler’s work as I think I would like her writing more with a different story.
It felt like a lot of build up for not much to happen, weirdly, even though the characters do go through a lot of peril. I hope that this book is the world building for the next book and that can give me the connection to the story and characters that I was missing.
I thought the idea of Lauren’s sharing/hyperempathy was intriguing but I think it felt a bit flat, as it only really becomes important when it puts her in peril. I thought it might make her feel more connected to the other characters, especially the other sharers but it didn’t. However the other sharers didn’t arrive until quite late in the story so perhaps there wasn’t time to explore that.
I will read more of Octavia Butler’s work as I think I would like her writing more with a different story.