fearlessfictionalfemme 's review for:

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

---

Kindred is a classic for a reason. Going in, I did not know the premise of the story, and that made the experience even more powerful. The novel pulls you in immediately through Dana’s shocking reveal, and from that point forward every trip keeps you on edge. Is this the trip where it happens, or the next one? The intensity of the story is unrelenting, but it is also an unflinching look at American history, told through the raw reality of slavery.

I appreciated the subtle touches Butler weaves throughout. The way she connects Dana’s family history with Kevin, Rufus, and the enslaved people of the time is seamless. The time travel itself felt grounded, especially when Dana had to educate herself on the time period in order to survive. I loved the historical details, like the last meeting happening on July 4, 1976, the two-hundredth anniversary of America, or the mention of malaria before it even had that name. These details bring another layer of intentionality to the book.

One of the hardest elements for me was Rufus. At times, I felt genuine sympathy for him even though I knew exactly what he represented. His complicated, destructive “love” for Alice was heartbreaking, and Butler captures the tension between personal connection and systemic oppression so well. That emotional pull is part of what makes this book so unforgettable.

This is a quintessential read.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Trafficking, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Gun violence, Rape, Sexual violence

Minor: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Abandonment

I was not expecting Alice’s death. I audibly gasped while reading in bed because it completely caught me off guard. And Dana’s arm being trapped between the wall and time itself was such a powerful conclusion. Butler has said that Dana could not return with her whole self, that she had to leave something behind, and that choice made the ending both dramatic and unforgettable.