A review by ruthhelizabeth
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

I feel like this is a book I should read at least every few years for the rest of my life. Deeply challenging, immersive and deliberate, this book is up there with some of the most life changing I've ever read. The depths of what it has to say means I think it needs more than one journey through for a reader, so I think I will be back here for a second review not so far in the future. A true modern classic, and one I think which should be studied as standard in school.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Religious bigotry and Pregnancy

Minor: Incest, Forced institutionalization, and Fire/Fire injury