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A review by cinnamonmarti
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
dark
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
There's an eerie, enthralling quality to a novel written 30 years ago which acts as a perfect cautionary tale for present times. I was captivated by the direct and bleak tone of the story, told through diary entries, and I couldn't help but think how prescient everything felt.
Butler took into account many issues that are undoubtedly relevant to today's world (climate change, drug crisis, income inequality, unfair work conditions under capitalism, just to name a few) and shaped a tale that is simple, but very gripping.
I'm usually not one for overt religious themes in sci-fi or fantasy novels, but I found the idea of God seen as the unstoppable force of change to be quite apt. The concept of Earthseed as a belief and as a cornerstone for the birth of a new community is the element that truly sets this book apart for me.
Reading this also reminded me of all the great times spent playing Fallout, which is one of my favourite videogames ever :)
Butler took into account many issues that are undoubtedly relevant to today's world (climate change, drug crisis, income inequality, unfair work conditions under capitalism, just to name a few) and shaped a tale that is simple, but very gripping.
I'm usually not one for overt religious themes in sci-fi or fantasy novels, but I found the idea of God seen as the unstoppable force of change to be quite apt. The concept of Earthseed as a belief and as a cornerstone for the birth of a new community is the element that truly sets this book apart for me.
Reading this also reminded me of all the great times spent playing Fallout, which is one of my favourite videogames ever :)