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A review by dejnozkova
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is definitely one of the more refreshing dystopian type books I’ve read. While “Parable of the Sower” warns us of the consequences of climate change, poverty, and corruption, it also emphasizes the importance of community, self-determination, and the acceptance of change and hardship.
Firstly I have to say this is probably the first dystopian novel I’ve read that centers a young black girl as the protagonist, which offers a glance into additional struggles some people in such an environment would have to deal with in regards to survival (being denied resources, being excluded from groups, being refused assistance, all on the basis of prejudice —all things that are already potentially deadly now, but would make survival much harder if order crumbles).
Secondly I loved Butler’s inclusion of hyper-empathy. I think a lot of people in our society view kindness or empathy as more of a weakness than a strength, seeing as many people in this country value individuality and defending their own over a community of strangers. Initially hyper-empathy is presented this way and is an obstacle for Lauren who needs to hide her “sharing” as a means of survival because it does leave her vulnerable. But we also see how it shapes Lauren’s behavior. She avoids conflict. She kills to avoid suffering. She feels the pain of those in her cohort. Her empathy makes survival tough but I think it makes her a tougher and a more moral person. She considers others in her decision-making, even when she comes off a hard ass.
Which brings me to Butler’s emphasis on community in this book. Because so many dystopian novels are so quick to focus on brutality and the failure of humanity without much regard for the fact that indeed humans do have a great capacity for empathy and resiliency. Humans seek community and comfort and strength in numbers. The characters are realistic in being wary of vulnerability but they do desire to reach out and they are capable of forging meaningful relationships.
I also appreciate Lauren’s Earthseed religion/philosophy. The reverence of Change over constancy. I think when you are a person who has experienced trauma or some other kind of extreme difficulty, learning to accept that things are only temporary but also that YOU are an also an agent of change is a very powerful way to lift yourself out of despair. Which makes this honestly a quite hopeful novel despite its darkness. Lauren recognizes her power as an individual, and also accepts that pain and suffering come and go just as growth and fulfillment. That she has more control than she thinks, but that change and plot twists are also inevitable. Lauren isn’t tough because she’s a scrappy little badass or because she believes in righteous justice. She’s tough because she is hopeful and empathetic and accepting. I just really love this lens in light of all things that are currently wrong in our world, that even our current hardships can be treated with a focus on community and the willingness to change or try new things.
Firstly I have to say this is probably the first dystopian novel I’ve read that centers a young black girl as the protagonist, which offers a glance into additional struggles some people in such an environment would have to deal with in regards to survival (being denied resources, being excluded from groups, being refused assistance, all on the basis of prejudice —all things that are already potentially deadly now, but would make survival much harder if order crumbles).
Secondly I loved Butler’s inclusion of hyper-empathy. I think a lot of people in our society view kindness or empathy as more of a weakness than a strength, seeing as many people in this country value individuality and defending their own over a community of strangers. Initially hyper-empathy is presented this way and is an obstacle for Lauren who needs to hide her “sharing” as a means of survival because it does leave her vulnerable. But we also see how it shapes Lauren’s behavior. She avoids conflict. She kills to avoid suffering. She feels the pain of those in her cohort. Her empathy makes survival tough but I think it makes her a tougher and a more moral person. She considers others in her decision-making, even when she comes off a hard ass.
Which brings me to Butler’s emphasis on community in this book. Because so many dystopian novels are so quick to focus on brutality and the failure of humanity without much regard for the fact that indeed humans do have a great capacity for empathy and resiliency. Humans seek community and comfort and strength in numbers. The characters are realistic in being wary of vulnerability but they do desire to reach out and they are capable of forging meaningful relationships.
I also appreciate Lauren’s Earthseed religion/philosophy. The reverence of Change over constancy. I think when you are a person who has experienced trauma or some other kind of extreme difficulty, learning to accept that things are only temporary but also that YOU are an also an agent of change is a very powerful way to lift yourself out of despair. Which makes this honestly a quite hopeful novel despite its darkness. Lauren recognizes her power as an individual, and also accepts that pain and suffering come and go just as growth and fulfillment. That she has more control than she thinks, but that change and plot twists are also inevitable. Lauren isn’t tough because she’s a scrappy little badass or because she believes in righteous justice. She’s tough because she is hopeful and empathetic and accepting. I just really love this lens in light of all things that are currently wrong in our world, that even our current hardships can be treated with a focus on community and the willingness to change or try new things.