A review by knicke
Bloodchild and Other Stories by Octavia E. Butler

hopeful relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

I think that Bloodchild is perfectly composed. It includes some lovely afterwards and essays that add a nice touch to the storytelling. Particular favourite entries of mine are “The Book of Martha”, “Near of Kin”, and “Bloodchild”. The two essays, “Positive Obsession” and “Furor Scribendi” are also fantastic. In the afterward to “Positive Obsession”, Butler writes that she has “no doubt at all that the best and most interesting part of [her] is [her] fiction” (136). Her writing is interesting full stop — fiction and otherwise. Reading her fiction never gets old; reading her non-fiction is a perfect treat.