Reviews tagging 'Rape'

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

699 reviews

queenclio's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful sad 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism

Minor: Rape, Cannibalism, and Murder

timmytunter's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower is a harrowing and immersive dystopian narrative set between 2024 and 2027—a world uncomfortably close to our own reality. Butler masterfully crafts a terrifyingly plausible future, where environmental collapse, greed, and power imbalances have pushed society to the brink. I was entirely absorbed by the vivid, desolate landscape Butler shapes, filled with as much danger as it is potential for hope.

At the heart of this grim world is Lauren Olamina, our compelling and deeply interesting protagonist. Lauren begins the story at age 15, living in a gated community that offers some semblance of safety amidst the chaos outside. She possesses a unique condition called “hyperempathy,” which forces her to feel the pain and emotions of others as though they were her own—a vulnerability she must conceal to survive. This condition becomes particularly perilous when Lauren is driven out of her sanctuary and forced to defend herself against murderous scavengers. If she wounds her attackers, she feels the pain as if inflicted on her own body; if she kills them, she endures their agony up until their final moments. This constant struggle adds a deeply personal and visceral layer to her journey, making her already treacherous path even more harrowing.

Lauren’s character is captivating not only because of this physical condition but also because of her unique perspective on the nature of God and human existence. Raised by a pastor father, she develops her own belief system, Earthseed, which serves as both a coping mechanism and a driving force behind her actions as she grows into a spiritual leader.

The narrative flows well, with the early chapters offering rich backstory that helps contextualize Lauren’s journey and her evolving beliefs. As Lauren navigates the brutal world beyond her community, we witness her fledgling (no pun intended, Butler fans) leadership and her evolving philosophy, which begins to shape those around her. Though some of Lauren’s ideas and theological musings feel a bit immature and repetitive at times, it’s a reflection of her youth and the accelerated maturity thrust upon her by the collapsing world around her.

Parable of the Sower is not just a dystopian novel; it’s a thought-provoking exploration of resilience, faith, and the human need for connection amidst chaos. Butler’s prose is sharp, immersive, and unflinching, making for an intense reading experience that lingers long after the final page. I’m eagerly looking forward to continuing Lauren’s story in The Parable of the Talents and hope the sequel lives up to the high standard set by this unforgettable novel.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Police brutality, and Classism

effection's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Trafficking, Cannibalism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail

thssmysrnm's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Death of parent

iamcarlib's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective fast-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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Gun violence, Slavery, Violence, Cannibalism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Drug abuse, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

racheltheripper's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective 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? No

5.0

Reading this in 2024 is surreal. I had a good time noting both the similarities and differences in the world created by Octavia Butler and the current state of the world.

This is my favorite brand of science fiction, and Butler's examination of social interactions, who we are when we're comfortable and safe vs. what we're willing to do to survive.

I will admit I found Lauren unbearable at times, almost hypocritical in a lot of ways. But I think that was part of her story - everything we touch changes, and it in turn changes us, right? An ever-changing person in an uncertain world is bound to piss you off sometimes. 

I bet that's how people felt about Socrates...

From beginning to end I was enthralled, and I'm looking forward to obsessing over Octavia Butler for a while. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Infertility, and Cannibalism

emmasiporatyler's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark fast-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

5.0

I absolutely adored this book. Definitely worth ALL the hype it receives. I started reading on July 4th, 2024, which was spooky because the first chapter was set on July 20th of the same year. This plot pulled me along like no other book has in years! The characters and setting are captivating and chillingly prophetic of the current state of the U.S. Eerily relatable and yet, in a way, inspiring. Like idk I might want to join the church of Earthseed? I will probably never shut up about this book. Can't wait to read the next book and reread these until the end of time (which might be sooner than we think!).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Slavery, Violence, and Death of parent

Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Rape, Sexual content, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Blood, Kidnapping, and Cannibalism

mikayla_h'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? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

geminisoul's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

msharlotbronte's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

A classic of the genre, feeling incredibly relevant in our times. Loved it, would read it over and over again. A+ age gap romance, the birth of a new religion, and apocalypse= perfection.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Rape, Cannibalism, and Murder