sortabadass's review against another edition
4.0
After finishing this trilogy all I have to say is this: Octavia E. Butler, where have you been all my life?
"Humans had evolved from hierarchical life, dominating, often killing other life. Oankali had evolved from acquisitive life, collecting and combining with other life."
These species are at odds with each other in Butler's Xenogenesis trilogy. The rash, violent Humans we all know so well have nearly annihilated themselves and their planet. They are saved from the brink of extinction by the space-faring Oankali, but at what price?
First things first, the Oankali are one of the best alien races I have ever encountered in fiction. Their form is something like Lovecraft's Great Race and their attitude is akin to Clarke's Overlords. They seem to be monsters with angelic intentions, but Humanity is too intelligent and shrewd not to wonder whether this scene from "To Serve Mankind" is too good to be true. Like the best speculative fiction, the answer to this question depends upon the perspective of the asker.
Over the course of the novels, my perspective was shifted further and further from Humanity until it seemed like I was the one becoming something else. The progression from familiar to alien was insidious because the setting was a slightly distorted version of Earth where nothing was quite as it used to be. I applaud Bulter's ability to make her readers look at their own species from the outside and, perhaps, as a less attractive alternative to another.
I think what I like most about these novels is the way Butler seamlessly the beautiful with the disturbing. After I read some scenes to him, my partner took to calling the Xenogenesis trilogy my "weirdest boner" books. My prudish Humanity wants to reject what I'm reading but I am enraptured... snared.
My biggest criticism is with the continuity of [b:Adulthood Rites|116249|Adulthood Rites (Xenogenesis, #2)|Octavia E. Butler|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344264376s/116249.jpg|249001]. This second book just felt like a letdown after the wonder and distress of [b:Dawn|60929|Dawn (Xenogenesis, #1)|Octavia E. Butler|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344269934s/60929.jpg|1008111]. Akin was the weakest protagonist of the trilogy and the descriptions of the resisters were dull contrasted with the trade villages. The characters were still well written and the tension between the species kept me engrossed; however, the plot just wasn't as interesting or important as [b:Dawn|60929|Dawn (Xenogenesis, #1)|Octavia E. Butler|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344269934s/60929.jpg|1008111] or [b:Imago|60934|Imago (Xenogenesis, #3)|Octavia E. Butler|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344267012s/60934.jpg|6589483].
In all, this trilogy is a fast favorite. I love a story that will leave a bit of itself with me after I finish it, and I think this one will stay with me for a long time.
"Humans had evolved from hierarchical life, dominating, often killing other life. Oankali had evolved from acquisitive life, collecting and combining with other life."
These species are at odds with each other in Butler's Xenogenesis trilogy. The rash, violent Humans we all know so well have nearly annihilated themselves and their planet. They are saved from the brink of extinction by the space-faring Oankali, but at what price?
Spoiler
First things first, the Oankali are one of the best alien races I have ever encountered in fiction. Their form is something like Lovecraft's Great Race and their attitude is akin to Clarke's Overlords. They seem to be monsters with angelic intentions, but Humanity is too intelligent and shrewd not to wonder whether this scene from "To Serve Mankind" is too good to be true. Like the best speculative fiction, the answer to this question depends upon the perspective of the asker.
Over the course of the novels, my perspective was shifted further and further from Humanity until it seemed like I was the one becoming something else. The progression from familiar to alien was insidious because the setting was a slightly distorted version of Earth where nothing was quite as it used to be. I applaud Bulter's ability to make her readers look at their own species from the outside and, perhaps, as a less attractive alternative to another.
I think what I like most about these novels is the way Butler seamlessly the beautiful with the disturbing. After I read some scenes to him, my partner took to calling the Xenogenesis trilogy my "weirdest boner" books. My prudish Humanity wants to reject what I'm reading but I am enraptured... snared.
My biggest criticism is with the continuity of [b:Adulthood Rites|116249|Adulthood Rites (Xenogenesis, #2)|Octavia E. Butler|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344264376s/116249.jpg|249001]. This second book just felt like a letdown after the wonder and distress of [b:Dawn|60929|Dawn (Xenogenesis, #1)|Octavia E. Butler|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344269934s/60929.jpg|1008111]. Akin was the weakest protagonist of the trilogy and the descriptions of the resisters were dull contrasted with the trade villages. The characters were still well written and the tension between the species kept me engrossed; however, the plot just wasn't as interesting or important as [b:Dawn|60929|Dawn (Xenogenesis, #1)|Octavia E. Butler|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344269934s/60929.jpg|1008111] or [b:Imago|60934|Imago (Xenogenesis, #3)|Octavia E. Butler|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344267012s/60934.jpg|6589483].
In all, this trilogy is a fast favorite. I love a story that will leave a bit of itself with me after I finish it, and I think this one will stay with me for a long time.
booksybookbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
espiri_reads's review against another edition
3.0
If I could give half points, I would give this a 3.5. I do like the trilogy, but I wish I would have loved it more. The book definitely presents mind blowing concepts. And I have to hand it to her, Octavia Butler is the genius everyone says she is. The concept of the Oankali is the most unique fictional alien creation I have ever seen or read.
I really enjoyed much of the first book. How she presents Lilith's awakening, this alien world, and the plans to reinhabit Earth is fascinating. Lilith's character was so complex, but so very human. My biggest complaint about the trilogy is that the book doesn't continue to center Lilith in book two and three. It is a multigenerational saga. I get it, but Lilith's internal conflict was so powerful. I would have really enjoyed reading how it played out as she had construct children and as she became this legendary, misunderstood Mother to all of humanity.
Speaking of humanity, Butler's critique of humanity is spot on. I just wasn't sure what she was trying to say with the Oankali. Like I mentioned, some of the concepts she introduced with the Oankali really challenge convention, which I appreciate. The Oankali do not have a central leadership. They work with nature and reach consensus. They have a third gender which is NOT a combination of male and female, but just a whole other gender. The family structure really pushes our understanding of what defines a family. In so many ways, they were a superior species. But I was really disturbed by the ooloi and their insatiable sexuality. And I was disturbed by the issues of consent. There was a lot of "your mouth says no, but your body says yes" logic coming from the ooloi and that REALLY bothered me. The consent issues did not just come in the form of sexual activity, but also in how they sterilized all humans who refused to mate. I mean this mirrors a lot of what has been done to indigenous people and people of color in the Americas. Throughout the book, I could never tell what Butler was really trying to say with that, if in fact she critiqued it at all. Maybe she was trying to say all living species are problematic. Maybe I just need help with the analysis.
In the end, I just had a harder time relating to Lilith's construct children, Akin and Jodahs, who became central figures in book two and three. I had a hard time relating to the Oankali in general. They were just too alien for me, which I guess is to Butler's credit for creating a truly alien species.
It was no Kindred, but if you're deep into Sci-Fi, then this book is okay.
I really enjoyed much of the first book. How she presents Lilith's awakening, this alien world, and the plans to reinhabit Earth is fascinating. Lilith's character was so complex, but so very human. My biggest complaint about the trilogy is that the book doesn't continue to center Lilith in book two and three. It is a multigenerational saga. I get it, but Lilith's internal conflict was so powerful. I would have really enjoyed reading how it played out as she had construct children and as she became this legendary, misunderstood Mother to all of humanity.
Speaking of humanity, Butler's critique of humanity is spot on. I just wasn't sure what she was trying to say with the Oankali. Like I mentioned, some of the concepts she introduced with the Oankali really challenge convention, which I appreciate. The Oankali do not have a central leadership. They work with nature and reach consensus. They have a third gender which is NOT a combination of male and female, but just a whole other gender. The family structure really pushes our understanding of what defines a family. In so many ways, they were a superior species. But I was really disturbed by the ooloi and their insatiable sexuality. And I was disturbed by the issues of consent. There was a lot of "your mouth says no, but your body says yes" logic coming from the ooloi and that REALLY bothered me. The consent issues did not just come in the form of sexual activity, but also in how they sterilized all humans who refused to mate. I mean this mirrors a lot of what has been done to indigenous people and people of color in the Americas. Throughout the book, I could never tell what Butler was really trying to say with that, if in fact she critiqued it at all. Maybe she was trying to say all living species are problematic. Maybe I just need help with the analysis.
In the end, I just had a harder time relating to Lilith's construct children, Akin and Jodahs, who became central figures in book two and three. I had a hard time relating to the Oankali in general. They were just too alien for me, which I guess is to Butler's credit for creating a truly alien species.
It was no Kindred, but if you're deep into Sci-Fi, then this book is okay.
crabbrc's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- 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? No
3.5
robothistorian's review against another edition
The first book is incredible, but it takes a sharp dive in book two.
mathiasaurous's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-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
angelinamasino's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
bethebookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Octavia Butler. Enough said. She really was a remarkable writer. Even when her characters were deeply strange. Or maybe especially then.
verafiedreader's review against another edition
4.0
Incredible trilogy engaging in some truly speculative thought leaving you constantly at the limit between the familiar and the alien. The constant widening of perspective, leaving you unsure what to think, what is right, and what is "human". Might be said to have some objectionable content, but I consider that to be a part of how it leaves you constantly unsure what to think, which in turn suits the trilogy very well.