erica_sj's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
mixedgirlreading's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
elkieb's review against another edition
5.0
Based on the author's reflections on Butler's personal archive - this isn't your typical biography. But it is inspiring to me as I am creating my own "Free and Clear" goals. I listened to the audiobook & realize I will need to track down a physical copy to really get the full experience.
seeceeread's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
💭 "What if the world was turned to a different slant, what if she had more power, what if? What if what if? [...] She had gravitated toward science fiction as a genre because it lifted the ceiling and dissolved the walls; it presented the sort of freedom and brazenness she needed for creating new possibilities."
Alice Walker's essay, 𝗜𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 (also the name of a collection) speculates on how ancestral women translated genius into functional treasures such as quilts and flower displays — or perhaps didn't find expression, forced as they were to "make biscuits for some backwater tramp." Walker demands attention to the ways Black women's artistry has been thwarted.
George picks up the mantle, offering a blueprint for becoming a writer, an artist, a MacArthur "genius," a first, based on Octavia Estelle Butler's archived ephemera. George also shows the loneliness, doubt and agita of a woman haunted by ambitions that even her closest family largely thought nonsensical, unattainable. Butler was formidable for her capacity to plough through obstacles; she was determined to realize her dreams, her 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧. At times, she planned to pawn essentials, like her typewriter, to make rent. Waiting on publisher's checks, she bemused, "𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘱𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘯?????" Her coping strategies were wholly unique: she curated "Octavia" as a public persona, a sort of alter ego whose badassery would protect the softer, inner Estelle.
This book reminds me of how much goes into the making of any book, how class is often reflected in the final product, how much gentler I could be with works I don't enjoy ... because the process is often admirable, even if I don't feel the same way about the final product.
Alice Walker's essay, 𝗜𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 (also the name of a collection) speculates on how ancestral women translated genius into functional treasures such as quilts and flower displays — or perhaps didn't find expression, forced as they were to "make biscuits for some backwater tramp." Walker demands attention to the ways Black women's artistry has been thwarted.
George picks up the mantle, offering a blueprint for becoming a writer, an artist, a MacArthur "genius," a first, based on Octavia Estelle Butler's archived ephemera. George also shows the loneliness, doubt and agita of a woman haunted by ambitions that even her closest family largely thought nonsensical, unattainable. Butler was formidable for her capacity to plough through obstacles; she was determined to realize her dreams, her 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧. At times, she planned to pawn essentials, like her typewriter, to make rent. Waiting on publisher's checks, she bemused, "𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘱𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘯?????" Her coping strategies were wholly unique: she curated "Octavia" as a public persona, a sort of alter ego whose badassery would protect the softer, inner Estelle.
This book reminds me of how much goes into the making of any book, how class is often reflected in the final product, how much gentler I could be with works I don't enjoy ... because the process is often admirable, even if I don't feel the same way about the final product.
tyrshand's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adored this and need to get my hands on a physical copy, since it sounds like there's a huge visual element I missed by listening to this instead. However, the narrator was excellent. You know how some narrators not only have a great voice and perform well, but also have this extra something that shows they're really working with the words? Like, I don't know exactly how to describe it, but to me it's what takes an audiobook from a good listen to a great one. For instance, there are some repetitive elements to the book, particularly when it comes to the lists that Butler kept. The narrator is able to make these fascinating, making them feel like updates or growth. And though this is a biography, both the writing and the narrator make this feel almost like a novel.
Anyhow, even if you aren't interested in Octavia E. Butler (though, why wouldn't you be? Her writing was amazing!) there are so many other reasons to be drawn to this book. The writer's journey. The history of science fiction. The struggles of being Black and female on the path to success. Or learning to accept who you are, no matter how others see you, and finding the strength in the pieces of yourself. Plus there is a ton of love for libraries in here, so I've got to adore that.
Anyhow, even if you aren't interested in Octavia E. Butler (though, why wouldn't you be? Her writing was amazing!) there are so many other reasons to be drawn to this book. The writer's journey. The history of science fiction. The struggles of being Black and female on the path to success. Or learning to accept who you are, no matter how others see you, and finding the strength in the pieces of yourself. Plus there is a ton of love for libraries in here, so I've got to adore that.
bookaneer's review against another edition
3.0
This is unlike the usual writer biography I read. There's a disclaimer by the author at the beginning so I guess it's enter at your own risk. The prose is poetic, it's dreamlike, describing more the inner thoughts (from third person perspective) and behavior based on the author's research especially Butler's journals. It's almost like a musing on someone's daily life. I was confused since I am used to facts given in biographies. I felt I did not get much information.
I almost gave the book two stars but finally increased the rating since the last parts were good. It finally opened the window to Butler's thoughts when she wrote sci-fi. Some parts I just had to highlight.
I am still interested to read a more biographical account so if any of you have any recommendation, let me know.
I almost gave the book two stars but finally increased the rating since the last parts were good. It finally opened the window to Butler's thoughts when she wrote sci-fi. Some parts I just had to highlight.
I am still interested to read a more biographical account so if any of you have any recommendation, let me know.
jessthanthree's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Classism
Minor: Bullying