A review by bites_of_books
Kindred, by Octavia E. Butler
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
4.5
One of my favorite genres is historical fiction mixed with some magical/fantastical aspect and Kindred fits the bill perfectly.
We follow Dana, a Black woman living in California in the 70s, who is pulled back in time to 1815 Maryland to save a boy from drowning. This boy, Rufus, grows to be the key to her suffering but also her literal existence. As she navigates this time travel paradox, she is also faced with the social aspects of the time, slavery, freedom, education, heritage, and many others.
It is not an easy book to read because there are so many horrific things that happen throughout it. However, it is impossible to want to stop reading to find out how it is/if Dana will ever be able to go back to her normal life. The book as a whole also has this theme of heritage, those things that we carry within us from our ancestors. How the decisions they made decades ago have repercussions today and also the psychological trauma that is carried from generation to generation.
I'd recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction with a touch of something fantastical as well as for anyone who wants a story with very high stakes.
We follow Dana, a Black woman living in California in the 70s, who is pulled back in time to 1815 Maryland to save a boy from drowning. This boy, Rufus, grows to be the key to her suffering but also her literal existence. As she navigates this time travel paradox, she is also faced with the social aspects of the time, slavery, freedom, education, heritage, and many others.
It is not an easy book to read because there are so many horrific things that happen throughout it. However, it is impossible to want to stop reading to find out how it is/if Dana will ever be able to go back to her normal life. The book as a whole also has this theme of heritage, those things that we carry within us from our ancestors. How the decisions they made decades ago have repercussions today and also the psychological trauma that is carried from generation to generation.
I'd recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction with a touch of something fantastical as well as for anyone who wants a story with very high stakes.