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A review by whatevanreads
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Excuse my language…but HOLY. FUCK. This is one of the biggest Five Stars I’ve ever given any book. Octavia Butler was a pioneer, a genius, and one hell of a writer. Kindred is without a doubt one of the best books I’ve ever read.
Let’s start with the basis of the novel itself - time traveling between “modern day” and the antebellum south was quite the juxtaposition and unlike anything I’ve read before. The way Butler deftly interlaced both time periods from Dana’s POV was masterful. Her writing is so immersive, I almost felt like I was with Dana throughout her constant journey back and forth.
As perfect as the writing, plot, and characterization all were, the content, however, is abhorrent, brutal, triggering, and violent as Dana has to witness first-hand and experience herself the atrocities committed against enslaved people. I physically cringed, jumped, and shook with anger more times than I could count.
There’s so much more I want to say, and I’ll more than likely come back to this review in the next few days to more concisely put my thoughts down. I’m still on the high of finishing this masterpiece…
Let’s start with the basis of the novel itself - time traveling between “modern day” and the antebellum south was quite the juxtaposition and unlike anything I’ve read before. The way Butler deftly interlaced both time periods from Dana’s POV was masterful. Her writing is so immersive, I almost felt like I was with Dana throughout her constant journey back and forth.
As perfect as the writing, plot, and characterization all were, the content, however, is abhorrent, brutal, triggering, and violent as Dana has to witness first-hand and experience herself the atrocities committed against enslaved people. I physically cringed, jumped, and shook with anger more times than I could count.
There’s so much more I want to say, and I’ll more than likely come back to this review in the next few days to more concisely put my thoughts down. I’m still on the high of finishing this masterpiece…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Torture, Slavery, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Violence, and Racism
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault