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

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A compelling vision of hope & love in the face of a bleak future. I can see why this book is such a classic. I can also see why people say it's relevant to the times we're living in. Butler's prediction of the 2020s is different in some ways but in other ways all too similar.

This story feels revolutionary in a lot of ways. Butler takes a hard, honest look at late-stage capitalism, racism, the police state, American fascism, and tells us there's a better way. Hope and solidarity for these characters is deeply practical, an absolutely necessity for survival. It's a more grounded approach than in most dystopian fiction IMO, and I find it refreshing and inspiring.

Also, Lauren Olamina is a bold and fascinating protagonist, both in terms of her personality and her religion. Earthseed itself is one of the most unique, thematic religions I've ever seen in speculative fiction. I just loved it all💗
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