maigahannatu 's review for:

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

4.0

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This book is billed as Science Fiction, which is my least favorite genre. But other than time travel, it didn't feel like science fiction. In this story, Dana is taken from 1976 to the 1830’s. She is called to that time period whenever her ancestors, Rufus, a slave owner is in mortal danger. It is a fascinating look at slavery through the eyes of a woman living in the 1970's. The author manages to get across the horrors of slavery without graphic, gruesome details. For example, we know Rufus routinely rapes one of his slaves (Dana's great grandmother) and we know it's brutal, but the author spares us the ugly details. Instead, she reveals through the girl's personality and conversations what it was like for her. Overall a good book.