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A review by balladofreadingqueer
Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I love Octavia Butler and I loved this book. It amazes me that she predicted our recent realities. Covid 19 and the ‘pox’ and she also predicted a conservative demagogue with ‘make America great again’ as his slogan.
The story follows Lauren Olamina as she survives the collapse of society and tries to create a life for Earthseed, the religion based on God is Change. It starts positively with building community, skills and teaching. It is difficult in sections with enslavement and rape in the middle section as well as the murder of her husband and kidnapping of her child. The end is positive for the religion but not so much for her relationship with her estranged daughter.
I think that Butler encourages readers to consider their own power and influence to change the world, the negative impacts of climate change, religious right demagoguery, othering of poor or unhoused and more.
The story follows Lauren Olamina as she survives the collapse of society and tries to create a life for Earthseed, the religion based on God is Change. It starts positively with building community, skills and teaching. It is difficult in sections with enslavement and rape in the middle section as well as the murder of her husband and kidnapping of her child. The end is positive for the religion but not so much for her relationship with her estranged daughter.
I think that Butler encourages readers to consider their own power and influence to change the world, the negative impacts of climate change, religious right demagoguery, othering of poor or unhoused and more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery, Murder, Kidnapping, Rape, and War