A review by iridescentjemz
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

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.