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A review by lucybbookstuff
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.75
Wow. What an absolutely brilliant, intelligent, thought-provoking book.
This had me thinking about slavery in ways I never really had before. I've always known that it's horrible, reprehensible, unforgivable. But I haven't encountered anything before that has made me consider all the nuances so thoroughly. Now I feel like I actually understand the myriad big and small ways in which it was so horrible. And why/how it went on for so long in the US. In Dana's words, "I never realized how easily people could be trained to accept slavery."
In addition to the brilliant theme exploration, this book also had excellent character work. I always love authors that can acknowledge the fullness of human beings. Hardly anyone is all good or all bad. And that was true here of even the most detestable characters.I hated Rufus passionately, but the author, the main character, and I still all understood why he is the way he is. Dana came into the story a pretty good person, but she also learned a lot AND had her goodness challenged quite a bit. And Kevin... no matter how good and moral someone is, that can never quite overcome the nature of being a white man in our society.
Also very good, suspenseful, nerve-wracking storytelling. Just an incredible book. (I also HIGHLY recommend the essay by Robert Crossley that was in the back of the standard paperback.)
Not quite a full 5 for a couple reasons:
• I'm not sure I'll ever be able to give a magical realism book 5 stars. I know the "why" of the time travel is not at all the point and is just a device, and I could mostly forget about it. But not totally. I'll never be able to engage with this kind of plot device and not ask questions, and therefore I can't ignore it when I get no answers.
• I felt the ending, like the literal last page, was quite abrupt. I found myself wanting just a bit, even a couple paragraphs, more aftermath/reflection.
That's it, though. Otherwise perfect.
This had me thinking about slavery in ways I never really had before. I've always known that it's horrible, reprehensible, unforgivable. But I haven't encountered anything before that has made me consider all the nuances so thoroughly. Now I feel like I actually understand the myriad big and small ways in which it was so horrible. And why/how it went on for so long in the US. In Dana's words, "I never realized how easily people could be trained to accept slavery."
In addition to the brilliant theme exploration, this book also had excellent character work. I always love authors that can acknowledge the fullness of human beings. Hardly anyone is all good or all bad. And that was true here of even the most detestable characters.
Also very good, suspenseful, nerve-wracking storytelling. Just an incredible book. (I also HIGHLY recommend the essay by Robert Crossley that was in the back of the standard paperback.)
Not quite a full 5 for a couple reasons:
• I'm not sure I'll ever be able to give a magical realism book 5 stars. I know the "why" of the time travel is not at all the point and is just a device, and I could mostly forget about it. But not totally. I'll never be able to engage with this kind of plot device and not ask questions, and therefore I can't ignore it when I get no answers.
• I felt the ending, like the literal last page, was quite abrupt. I found myself wanting just a bit, even a couple paragraphs, more aftermath/reflection.
That's it, though. Otherwise perfect.