A review by helenareadsbooks
A Handful of Earth, a Handful of Sky: The World of Octavia Butler by Lynell George

hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

This book is not a biography, but an examination of what made Octavia E. Butler the writer we know and love. George spent four years exploring Butler's archives at The Huntington Library, and has gifted us with an intimate look inside Butler's mind and process. By referencing Butler's diaries and journals, George has reimagined a narrative of Butler's daily life, presenting us with her struggles and frustrations, along with her dreams and determination. But this book is also so much more than that, it offers hope, inspiration, peace and encouragement on how to move through the world and pursue a creative life. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever read and I can’t stop thinking about it.

Looking back at my journey reading Butler’s work, I was already in awe of Butler's imagination and intelligence. And now that I've read A Handful of Earth A Handful of Sky, I have so much more context and a newfound appreciation for who Butler was. I’m so grateful for this book!