A review by racheltheripper
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Reading this in 2024 is surreal. I had a good time noting both the similarities and differences in the world created by Octavia Butler and the current state of the world.

This is my favorite brand of science fiction, and Butler's examination of social interactions, who we are when we're comfortable and safe vs. what we're willing to do to survive.

I will admit I found Lauren unbearable at times, almost hypocritical in a lot of ways. But I think that was part of her story - everything we touch changes, and it in turn changes us, right? An ever-changing person in an uncertain world is bound to piss you off sometimes. 

I bet that's how people felt about Socrates...

From beginning to end I was enthralled, and I'm looking forward to obsessing over Octavia Butler for a while. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Infertility, and Cannibalism