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A review by an_library_stan
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
dark
emotional
tense
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? No
4.25
Bleak. Reminded me of the Road, the Year of the Flood, the last of us, and general zombie apocalypse genre.
Does a great job relaying the constant insecurity the characters feel / face. There are degrees of safety throughout and that nuance is not lost. But nowhere is ever secure, which works with the theme of god as change.
Class struggle, racism, environmental apocalypse, economic depression, company towns, hired guns, drugs / nihilism, prostitution, crime, SA.
I've only read two Butler novels now, but both have involved relationships between a much older man and a much younger woman.
A lot of the characters they welcome into their crew are super well educated. That part felt a bit random / improbable, or reflecting a bias toward who they feel is trustworthy.
Despite the overwhelming pessimism of the premise, I think it's a story of hope. The community they build is out of strangers, randomness and acts of kindness, but becomes its own family. There is a vague conservatism in here around in vs. out group. In is good, out can't be trusted. But this feels true about apocalyptic lit more broadly, and feels plausible given the context.
Does a great job relaying the constant insecurity the characters feel / face. There are degrees of safety throughout and that nuance is not lost. But nowhere is ever secure, which works with the theme of god as change.
Class struggle, racism, environmental apocalypse, economic depression, company towns, hired guns, drugs / nihilism, prostitution, crime, SA.
I've only read two Butler novels now, but both have involved relationships between a much older man and a much younger woman.
A lot of the characters they welcome into their crew are super well educated. That part felt a bit random / improbable, or reflecting a bias toward who they feel is trustworthy.
Despite the overwhelming pessimism of the premise, I think it's a story of hope. The community they build is out of strangers, randomness and acts of kindness, but becomes its own family. There is a vague conservatism in here around in vs. out group. In is good, out can't be trusted. But this feels true about apocalyptic lit more broadly, and feels plausible given the context.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, Sexual assault, and Fire/Fire injury