A review by ninamanon
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

adventurous challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

A haunting read, but how could a book about slavery ever be anything but?

I was as naïve as Dana in the beginning , thinking she could make a difference, influence Rufus for the better. Of course she couldn’t. No one could have. I grew disgusted of him more and more, but it was really insightful to learn about his worldview. He didn’t understand love. Relationships were transactional to him, especially when it came to black people.

Only reason I didn’t give a higher score is that I didn’t like the writing style. It was just fine, but never beautiful or remarkable. And the ending felt a little disconnected and flat. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Torture, Classism, Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, and Vomit

Minor: Cursing, Addiction, Alcohol, Child death, and Drug use