allymute's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Violence and Body horror
Minor: Incest
savvylit's review
4.5
Lastly, one of my favorite features of this particular collection was the afterwords written by Butler explaining her reasons for writing, which appeared after each story. This is the first time I've read a collection with that level of behind-the-scenes insight into an author's mind and I really appreciated it!
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Violence, Racism, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Death
trips's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I don't really want to spoil anything, so here is how I felt about each story in a few words:
Blood Child: Oh wow, that is terrifying.
The Evening And The Morning And The Night: Creepy, yet made me feel empathy towards the characters.
Near of Kin: Eh? Huh?...Why?
Speech Sounds: Powerful in an unexpected way.
Cross over: Haunting.
Positive Obsession: I loved this!
Furor Scribendi: Beautiful and helpful!
Amnesty: What did I just read??
The Book of Martha: I wonder how it would work!
That is all I will say. I hope to read more Butler in the months to come, her words are always so powerful and gripping to me.
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Violence, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Gun violence
Moderate: Gore, Xenophobia, Child death, and Death
Minor: Alcohol
sup3r_xn0va_maya's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
My favorite stories in the book are The Evening and The Morning and The Night, Speech Sounds, Amnesty, and The Book of Martha. Although the other stories aren't my favorite, I still think they were very good.
Overall I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Graphic: Suicide, Terminal illness, Incest, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, Violence, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Murder, Rape, and Sexual violence
alspacedout's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Least Favorites: Crossover by a good margin, can't remember what happened in it for the life of me, even after rereading the afterword to try to spark my memory.
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Self harm, Xenophobia, War, Violence, Suicide attempt, Torture, Incest, Toxic relationship, and Rape
Every short story has its own number of content warnings as they are all pretty dark, but none are tittilating or explicit with the exception of BloodChild. light spoiler ---->Spoiler
Description of non-sedated surgery involving parasites. Doesn't go on for pages and pages on end but its gross!noahsingh's review
4.25
Moderate: Police brutality, Medical trauma, Genocide, Colonisation, Confinement, War, Violence, Suicide, Racism, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Blood, Grief, Torture, Gun violence, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Rape, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Forced institutionalization, Death, Death of parent, Body horror, Incest, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
annamorgan27's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, Violence, Torture, Medical trauma, Gore, Blood, Body horror, Animal death, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Incest
Minor: Rape and Sexual violence
sharonmm's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
- The evening and the morning and the night
- Speech Sounds
- The Book of Martha
I loved this. And I can't wait to own a copy of my own and reread them. Already know someone I'd want to gift this to. It's also such a treat to hear from Octavia after each short story. She was such a fascinating individual. I love how her mind worked. It's such a privilege to have access to her work.
Graphic: Self harm and Violence
Minor: Incest
lmaowolf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Violence, Body horror, Gore, and Self harm
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Abortion and Rape
minor self cannibalism, male pregnancypeachani's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Violence, Incest, Xenophobia, Death, Death of parent, Body horror, Colonisation, Gore, War, Torture, and Murder
Minor: Blood, Kidnapping, Vomit, Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, Rape, and Pregnancy