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luminous's review against another edition
5.0
Anyanwu = Oankali. After a fashion. You can see the beginnings of their design in her character. I'm thinking of her ability to manipulate her body's matter at the cellular or even atomic level for healing. (As well as shapeshifting, birth control, etc.)
No idea what the "misandry" (lol) reveiwer was smoking. This book is not about gender politics at all, save for minor observations of enforced gender roles in the eras the book covers. Butler is, as always, concerned with humanity and the nature of humanness, as well as with exploring themes of enslavement, colonialism, consent and coercion, and body autonomy.
Her characters are compelling and complex. Even the antagonist, Doro, is made sympathetic when his background is revealed. How terrible for him to undergo his change with no knowledge of what was happening, and to wind up killing his family and entire village unknowing because of it. Yeah, in the several thousand years that followed he should have gotten over his trauma and quit being such an asshole, so his villainy is never excused by this sad origin story.
Anyanwu herself, a healer, grows and matures. Even though she is 300 years old at the start of the book and we think she's super wise, that version of her seems like a naive child by the end of the book. Her hardships do make her grow and become stronger.
Anyhwo, great book as usual.
No idea what the "misandry" (lol) reveiwer was smoking. This book is not about gender politics at all, save for minor observations of enforced gender roles in the eras the book covers. Butler is, as always, concerned with humanity and the nature of humanness, as well as with exploring themes of enslavement, colonialism, consent and coercion, and body autonomy.
Her characters are compelling and complex. Even the antagonist, Doro, is made sympathetic when his background is revealed. How terrible for him to undergo his change with no knowledge of what was happening, and to wind up killing his family and entire village unknowing because of it. Yeah, in the several thousand years that followed he should have gotten over his trauma and quit being such an asshole, so his villainy is never excused by this sad origin story.
Anyanwu herself, a healer, grows and matures. Even though she is 300 years old at the start of the book and we think she's super wise, that version of her seems like a naive child by the end of the book. Her hardships do make her grow and become stronger.
Anyhwo, great book as usual.
sundragonheartt's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.0
elijahbit's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Seminal stuff! Not a perfect book but a fun listen. Some stockholm.syndrome.stuff.going on though.
benmeyer50's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
directorpurry's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Child death, Trafficking, Violence, Incest, Sexual violence, Slavery, Racism, Murder, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Rape
nishat14's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this read. It felt so mystical but also connected in reality in a strange way. With OB being a black author, I always feel as if this fact (as with most black authors) adds something of an undertone to everything that is being discussed. The themes of black women and their care of their children as those children are neglected by their black fathers (Doro). Also the struggle between two equals, one wishing to rule with fear and the other with love. I can honestly say that the only thing that would've really tipped this to a 5 star for me is if she completed the act and Doro has to forever live with the consequences of resisting growth and change. But I know this is a series, and his vulnerability in the end shows that he had not let all of his human traits fall to the side.
abasdeo's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
easytocrash's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
Wild seed is the 4th book that I've read by Octavia Butler. As with the other Butler books that I've read, this one is SFF featuring black main characters. This one spans several centuries, starting in 17th century Africa and going up until 19th century America. Doro is an ancient spirit who can take over any human body that he comes in contact with. In this way, he is immortal. He has a mission to breed the most supernaturally gifted humans that he can. He creates villages and settlements and choses who to breed with who. He calls the villagers his seed. One day he encounters a wild seed who is not part of one of his settlements. Anyanwu has her own special gifts and has lived for hundreds of years. She is a shape shifter and healer. Doro is drawn to Anyanwu and the promise that she has for good breeding. BUT, Anyanwu doesn't agree at all with Doro's mission. She tries to push back against him
Anyanwu is a strong female character who stands up to the seemingly unstoppable Doro. Fight the patriarchy! As expected there is also some commentary about white/black relations particularly between slave trader/owner and slaves. Overall, this was an entertaining book that also covered multiple social issues.
I won a copy of this book in a goodreads giveaway. Thank you to the publisher!
Anyanwu is a strong female character who stands up to the seemingly unstoppable Doro. Fight the patriarchy! As expected there is also some commentary about white/black relations particularly between slave trader/owner and slaves. Overall, this was an entertaining book that also covered multiple social issues.
I won a copy of this book in a goodreads giveaway. Thank you to the publisher!