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A review by sincerelymarika
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I feel like I frequently dock a star toward the end of books because something about the ending feels incomplete, rushed, or unsatisfying in some other sense. This book gained a star.
The end has hope, but also a theme of progress in the face of an American society that has overall regressed, and a sense that community, real community, and change is what is going to save individuals, families and the world.
The first half of the book was a slog though. It felt like the inciting incident happened at the 50% mark - and even once Lauren and co started traveling north, it took a bit for me to get invested in the group.
It’s hard to say that I enjoyed this book, but it certainly made me think. For a novel that was published in 1993, there are certainly striking similarities to where we are now. I can’t imagine what Butler would think if she were alive to see current day USA.
The end has hope, but also a theme of progress in the face of an American society that has overall regressed, and a sense that community, real community, and change is what is going to save individuals, families and the world.
The first half of the book was a slog though. It felt like the inciting incident happened at the 50% mark - and even once Lauren and co started traveling north, it took a bit for me to get invested in the group.
It’s hard to say that I enjoyed this book, but it certainly made me think. For a novel that was published in 1993, there are certainly striking similarities to where we are now. I can’t imagine what Butler would think if she were alive to see current day USA.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Rape