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A review by loxeletters
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A very interesting look into a contemporary world falling apart: how slavery would play out in the modern day; the effects of chemical drug use, climate change, lack of information; the slow breakdown of the state. Related to this, the protagonist explores some very interesting ideas about religion and philosophy.
There is an age gap romance in this that made me somewhat uncomfortable, and I would have liked to see some exploration of the world beyond the United States. (Even with the limited communication technology available in the setting, I would expect at least some knowledge about the rest of the world. Esp. given that they do have a TV in the beginning, plus radio.) This might be simply an accurate portrayal of American news coverage, though it speaks nevertheless to the general issue of US American self-centredness. Hopefully the sequel will give some insights here.
There is an age gap romance in this that made me somewhat uncomfortable, and I would have liked to see some exploration of the world beyond the United States. (Even with the limited communication technology available in the setting, I would expect at least some knowledge about the rest of the world. Esp. given that they do have a TV in the beginning, plus radio.) This might be simply an accurate portrayal of American news coverage, though it speaks nevertheless to the general issue of US American self-centredness. Hopefully the sequel will give some insights here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence, Gun violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide, Rape, Cannibalism, and Slavery
Minor: Sexual content