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A review by coralinejones
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
My thoughts are conflicted.
I, by no means, hate or dislike this novel. In fact, I would like to purchase my own personal copy for my collection. I acknowledge Octavia E. Butler's brilliance and I fully agree that the idea of this novel is just a shining example of her intelligence. I totally understand why, and how, this became a beloved classic in the first place. Even as hard of a read as this is (not through text, but through content; more on this later) I wouldn't mind reading it again. However, I thought I was going to absolutely love this more than I actually did given it's place in literature's history. It's perhaps my expectation that ruined my read than anything else.
I can't quite put my finger on what I didn't enjoy about Kindred... I was going back and forth between giving this a 4 star or a 3 star rating, and my rating is by no means a hateful 3.75 either.
As stated, this is an easy read. Butler's writing style is very tell not show, which is another reason why I have this at 3 stars but I digress. It's easy to get immersed and pulled into the story being told. It's gruesome, it's hard to get through, it makes you angry, sad, confused, and overall feel alllll the overwhelming emotions whilst Dana goes through these rotten events but it still didn't feel like enough?
I don't know, something about Kindred was way more engaging during the beginning of this novel than in the end. Like the "what if" factor kept me interested. But then... It kind of got uninteresting? I think if I had read this while I was in high school I would've gotten waaaay more out of this.
And to be fair, as a black person who is not shy of the tragedies my ancestors have gone though; someone not ignorant of the bitter realities my people, past and present, have had to go through... I really couldn't stand the constant racism (Hard R racism) back to back. I know that's the point! And I absolutely expected it going into this, but man... Man :/
On page 208 Dana declares, “I wanted so much for it to be over.”
Same girl.
I, by no means, hate or dislike this novel. In fact, I would like to purchase my own personal copy for my collection. I acknowledge Octavia E. Butler's brilliance and I fully agree that the idea of this novel is just a shining example of her intelligence. I totally understand why, and how, this became a beloved classic in the first place. Even as hard of a read as this is (not through text, but through content; more on this later) I wouldn't mind reading it again. However, I thought I was going to absolutely love this more than I actually did given it's place in literature's history. It's perhaps my expectation that ruined my read than anything else.
I can't quite put my finger on what I didn't enjoy about Kindred... I was going back and forth between giving this a 4 star or a 3 star rating, and my rating is by no means a hateful 3.75 either.
As stated, this is an easy read. Butler's writing style is very tell not show, which is another reason why I have this at 3 stars but I digress. It's easy to get immersed and pulled into the story being told. It's gruesome, it's hard to get through, it makes you angry, sad, confused, and overall feel alllll the overwhelming emotions whilst Dana goes through these rotten events but it still didn't feel like enough?
I don't know, something about Kindred was way more engaging during the beginning of this novel than in the end. Like the "what if" factor kept me interested. But then... It kind of got uninteresting? I think if I had read this while I was in high school I would've gotten waaaay more out of this.
And to be fair, as a black person who is not shy of the tragedies my ancestors have gone though; someone not ignorant of the bitter realities my people, past and present, have had to go through... I really couldn't stand the constant racism (Hard R racism) back to back. I know that's the point! And I absolutely expected it going into this, but man... Man :/
On page 208 Dana declares, “I wanted so much for it to be over.”
Same girl.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Slavery, and Racism
Moderate: Misogyny and Physical abuse