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gabfat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Slavery
kimco_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was my first Octavia E. Butler book and man, this woman knew how to punch you in the gut with complicated feelings. I tried to go into this book as blind as possible and was surprised at the choice of characters Butler placed throughout the story, particularly the main character's ancestor that drew her back in time. The story brings the reader into an unapologetic look at the daily lives of slaves in the 1800s United States south. Butler's matter-of-fact prose and storytelling from the perspective of a modern day (1970s) black woman brought forth viscerally brutal moments that were slightly dampened because the main character knew slavery was temporary for her and she understood the atrocities of the past from reading history.
Aside from the main character, Butler mastered the art of building incredibly deep and complicated side characters. I don't want to give too much away so I won't go into further detail.
I would argue that this book needs to be taught in schools in lieu of some outdated and (often times) harmful classics. It's an up-close history lesson and a lesson in the complexities of the human condition. The fact that Octavia E. Butler was able to get this published in 1979 is something short of a miracle, and one that I am incredibly thankful for.
Aside from the main character, Butler mastered the art of building incredibly deep and complicated side characters. I don't want to give too much away so I won't go into further detail.
I would argue that this book needs to be taught in schools in lieu of some outdated and (often times) harmful classics. It's an up-close history lesson and a lesson in the complexities of the human condition. The fact that Octavia E. Butler was able to get this published in 1979 is something short of a miracle, and one that I am incredibly thankful for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
Moderate: Rape, Violence, and Suicide attempt
rachaelrene's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
Moderate: Gore
caspersmom's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Trafficking, and Murder
michealasharp's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use
baduiszm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide, and Violence
graceybookster's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
5.0
🎧 Audiobook 🎧
WOW! This was outstanding!
I came across this via someone on bookstagram and was so captivated by the blurb I just had to read it!
This is not your usual historical fiction book depicting slavery, it is also a modern tale entwined with elements of sci-fi/magical realism at its finest!!
We follow Dana, a 26 year old black woman from the 70s, who suddenly keeps getting pulled back in time to save Rufus, the white son of a plantation owner during the antebellum south! Where slavery and racism was rife and at its harshest, it’s difficult to imagine just how Dana could navigate and survive such a dangerous place.
This had me hooked from the very beginning. It was mysterious, incredibly gripping and kept you guessing as to what would happen next throughout with regards to timelines and particular relationships of the characters. Through Dana’s own eyes and footsteps we as readers were pulled along with her, and shown firsthand just how atrocious black people and slaves were treated during this time. It was shocking and brutal and I’m sure just the tip of the iceberg to what actually happened.
This not only highlighted the white privilege of its time, but also of todays day and age and that racism is something most definitely taught. It broke my heart to see how an innocent child was influenced so negatively at such a young age into believing that other human beings held such little value in society compared to their own, purely for the fact that their skin colour was different. It also explored the example of how the tiniest bit of empathy taught in place of the bigotry, could change an impressionable mind and so many lives for the better if only given the chance, but also just how quickly things could turn if that compassion and understanding was absent and inconsistent.
This was a complex story covering many dark and hard topics not only including the above and many more, but one of which also stood out to me which was emotional and domestic abuse. It encapsulates how the feelings and hope of change could keep a person stuck in a toxic environment or relationship much to their detriment, but also how easily it is for someone to become trapped in that pattern and life with no other choice or options. It’s tragic.
I’ve since found that there is a tv series which has been based on this book so I’m definitely eager to watch that now.
This book is definitely worth a read not only for your own education, but also for the children of our future. I know I will be teaching my own son to treat all people with empathy, kindness and respect and hope that in time, the world will become a much better and safer place for all if only everyone else did the same.
WOW! This was outstanding!
I came across this via someone on bookstagram and was so captivated by the blurb I just had to read it!
This is not your usual historical fiction book depicting slavery, it is also a modern tale entwined with elements of sci-fi/magical realism at its finest!!
We follow Dana, a 26 year old black woman from the 70s, who suddenly keeps getting pulled back in time to save Rufus, the white son of a plantation owner during the antebellum south! Where slavery and racism was rife and at its harshest, it’s difficult to imagine just how Dana could navigate and survive such a dangerous place.
This had me hooked from the very beginning. It was mysterious, incredibly gripping and kept you guessing as to what would happen next throughout with regards to timelines and particular relationships of the characters. Through Dana’s own eyes and footsteps we as readers were pulled along with her, and shown firsthand just how atrocious black people and slaves were treated during this time. It was shocking and brutal and I’m sure just the tip of the iceberg to what actually happened.
This not only highlighted the white privilege of its time, but also of todays day and age and that racism is something most definitely taught. It broke my heart to see how an innocent child was influenced so negatively at such a young age into believing that other human beings held such little value in society compared to their own, purely for the fact that their skin colour was different. It also explored the example of how the tiniest bit of empathy taught in place of the bigotry, could change an impressionable mind and so many lives for the better if only given the chance, but also just how quickly things could turn if that compassion and understanding was absent and inconsistent.
This was a complex story covering many dark and hard topics not only including the above and many more, but one of which also stood out to me which was emotional and domestic abuse. It encapsulates how the feelings and hope of change could keep a person stuck in a toxic environment or relationship much to their detriment, but also how easily it is for someone to become trapped in that pattern and life with no other choice or options. It’s tragic.
I’ve since found that there is a tv series which has been based on this book so I’m definitely eager to watch that now.
This book is definitely worth a read not only for your own education, but also for the children of our future. I know I will be teaching my own son to treat all people with empathy, kindness and respect and hope that in time, the world will become a much better and safer place for all if only everyone else did the same.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
elange's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual harassment
elohorsewell's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
slrich9024's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
Moderate: Rape, Suicide, Violence, and Suicide attempt