A review by krisheiney
Bloodchild and Other Stories by Octavia E. Butler

dark reflective medium-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

4.25

I have been wanting to enjoy Butler’s writing more than I have—having previously read Kindred and Parable of the Sower—and this book was the one to get me there. Butler is an oddity all her own, a self-taught writer with a startling imagination and a strange view of the world, molded in part by her hermit tendencies and in part by her standing in society as a black American. With these stories, essays, and the accompanying commentary, I have an image of her that makes me see my concerns with her other books in a new light, and I also have a handful of new favorite stories. Bloodchild, the title story, in particular is astonishing, brutal, and beautiful. Other favorites are Amnesty and The Evening and the Morning and the Night, which left me shuddering and with many thoughts. With many of these stories Butler creates power dynamics that are uncomfortable in their reach and shine a light on our own human relationships. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings