Parable of the Sower

Forget 1984, Butler's Earthseed series are the books one should read to get insight into our world today. Written in the mid-1990's about the 2020's and 2030's they tell the story of a world not unlike the one we live in today. Corporate influence is suborning and even sublating government authority. A dissolute population turning inward with drugs and virtual entertainment and outward with violence and suspicion towards the 'other'. Those who can, build walls to keep the 'other' out. Sometimes the walls work, but inevitably they fail.Amid all this two leaders arise: one, a demagogue playing on the nation's fears and religious sensitivities promising to 'make America great again' (the author's words in 1993, mind you) convinces a large swath of the population to turn against those who don't conform even as his 'Crusaders' commit atrocities in his name (but never of course with his *official* sanction).The other is a young, very precocious black woman with a vision to transcend human misery and build a community to seek humankind's Destiny. Barely escaping with her life when her once solid middle-class neighborhood is overrun by a violent gang, she sets off on a trek through a country that is much like ours if things were just a little more desperate, a little more divided, and a lot less caring. It is a stark portrait made even more ominous by being entirely possible and exposing a lot about us as a society we may not care to confront. These books aren't so much a portrait as a mirror.If there is a weak spot, it's that Olaimina is too obviously an author avatar, but then again this *is* Butler's philosophy and much of her personal experience laid bare. It is the closest thing to an autobiography of the notoriously private author as we are likely to see nearly 10 years after her death. It provides a warning...and, perhaps, a pathway out.

This is one of those books that was so gripping, I didn't want to put it down, and also was so *scary* I sometimes needed to. It's not meant as a horror book, but whereas most apocalyptic dystopia fantasy novels feel like some far away idea, the author clearly researched the environmental effects of global warming and created a projected societal breakdown that is INTENSELY realistic-feeling.As a child-bearing aged woman with extremely limited survival skills, this book got me feeling like I should learn some basic self defense, or how to start a fire, or shoot a gun, to teach my children in case we end up in this warped world that feels just a few steps away from the reality we live in currently.The characters are rich and dimensional. A lot of their history and personality shines in their dialogue and responses to various situations. What a great book, I can't wait to start the second part of this series!

I want to like this book, because I like the author, but I just can't get into it. I've tried it twice--first on audio, then kindle. Maybe I just need a physical copy. I don't find the writing exciting--it's very flat--and the characters are all one-dimensional to me. The social critique isn't that penetrating either. I think one of the other reviewers had it correct in writing that the book simply reflects the American penchant for doomsday prepping.NYT's review insinuates that this book anticipated Trump's rise with the presidential character in it running on the slogan, "Make America Great Again"--but Reagan had already coined this phrase in the 1980s and Clinton used it in '92, a year before the book was released. The book is much more a reflection of THAT time; it's just that we've continued along the same course and things have only gotten more exaggerated since then.

It’s as though the author had a crystal ball & saw the future of the US beginning in 2016. Butler’s dystopian society of American fascism under a near oligarchy/dictatorship is truly haunting. As I’ve read, I’ve found myself pausing & dwelling on the societal foundations her characters have seen crushed under their new government (whose sole aim appears to be enslaving portions of the population, forcing their warped & authoritarian form of Christianity on everyone, & destroying entire community ecologies with denial of climate change).Truly disturbing.Read this (& the Talents) as cautionary tales.

A very haunting and at times truly disturbing read. Even though this dystopian thriller was written many years ago the comentary on climate change, extreme poverty, and inequality is very relevant to today. It makes Mad Max look sane. I borrows it's title from a biblical verse in the book of Luke about a farmer who sows seeds indiscriminately tossing some in places where they fail. Those that land in good soil thrive. When reading this book you interpretation of what author is trying to say can in the direction of believing it's a religious commentary with God as the reckless farmer or a hopeful tome about the lucky ones. Either way you will come away having felt something. I came away from it totally dismayed and recklessly inspired. I hope this seed of a story finds its way to good soil.

Very U.S.A. The book is based on the premise that the world as we know it will inevitably end soon, and so we should all prepare, which means get lots of guns and ammo. If you're into that sort of thing then it's a jolly good romp. If you're not then it's really boring.

If you have a pageant for optimism, this is not the book for you. What Octavia E. Butler does achieve is a rich roster of well fleshed out characters in harrowing circumstances and stories that address issues of race, religion and sexuality, embedded within what essentially a 'survivalist' story with guns.

A masterpiece by a matchless artist. Butler is simply sublime and Parable of the Sower exemplifies why this is so.

so far so good!

One of the best post-apocalyptic books ever written. My copy is falling apart - this one was a gift for a friend.