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A review by yevolem
Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler
5.0
This is a book about vampires. It would be reasonable to conclude that it's a horror novel. Many others would agree. The majority probably even find it to be quite disturbing and a very uncomfortable read. This is a transgressive novel in terms of social dynamics and societal expectations. I don't know if it was specifically intended to trouble others or if was meant to be a sincere exploration of other ways of being. I think it's the the latter, and it's possible the average reader was too shocked for that to be acceptable.
As I've written before, I incriminate myself by saying so, but this wasn't a horror novel to me at all, or for that matter disturbing or uncomfortable. What I read was 3/4s murder mystery and 1/4 I'm unable to say why I was so enthralled. Does it merit what I think about it? I don't know and I don't care. What I know is that I felt this was amazing and none of its flaws could detract from it in any way. It had so much to say and I loved how it was said.
Six months after this novel was published, Butler died. This could've became a series and if it had, it may have become one of my favorites. After I finished reading I began mourning. What an utterly devastating loss of what should've been. All that I can do is to give the benefit of the doubt to all else she wrote and allow it a far greater chance.
As I've written before, I incriminate myself by saying so, but this wasn't a horror novel to me at all, or for that matter disturbing or uncomfortable. What I read was 3/4s murder mystery and 1/4
Spoiler
legal thriller.Six months after this novel was published, Butler died. This could've became a series and if it had, it may have become one of my favorites. After I finished reading I began mourning. What an utterly devastating loss of what should've been. All that I can do is to give the benefit of the doubt to all else she wrote and allow it a far greater chance.