Rating: Summary: Science Fiction for People of Color... Review: With this book, I was first introduced to Octavia Butler's writing and I must say how priviledged I felt and still feel to have been led to her works. In "Kindred," the author has managed to combine history, science and fantasy to make this a compelling read for almost anyone who is aware of America's "Slave Past" and is either new to or an avid reader of science fiction. Required reading for anyone who has imagination left but folks let me tell you, this book is ONLY the beginning. Please seek out her books in the obscure corners of the bookstores and open the doors to Octavia Butler's scientific world. You have to go there! It will jumpstart YOUR imagination!
Rating: Summary: An attempt to bring the past alive with SF Review: Portraying a topic as sensitive as slavery is difficult. Much of the existing literature depicts the Old South's "peculiar institution" from the standpoint of the white slaveholders. Some of these stories, such as Margaret Mitchell's "Gone with the Wind" are wildly inaccurate. In "Kindred", Ms. Butler attempts to bring to life both slaves and slaveholders through the eyes of a young black woman from the late 20th century who somehow slides back to ante-bellum Maryland. The woman arrives at times in which she can prevent the death of an ancestor who has yet to produce the progeny in the line that eventually leads to her. Should the ancestor die before completing this important task, her existence presumably would end. The protagonist faces the "grandfather paradox" of time travel.Ms. Butler's attempt to put a human face on slaves and slaveholders is, in my view, weakened by the protagonist's multiple jumps between modern and ante-bellum times. This device allows us to see the slave-slaveholder relationship in different lights. However, I was troubled logical inconsistencies produced by these multiple jumps. For instance, why did the protagonist not arm herself with an Uzi submachine gun and a few cases of ammo in anticipation of being pulled back into the dangerous ante-bellum South. In a society armed with muzzle-loading muskets, she would have had the firepower to hold off a brigade of soldiers. If she was not going armed, why not include some penicillin in addition to the aspirin that she did take. It is cheap and could have cured almost any illness she might have contracted in the pre-antibiotic era. Ms. Butler is an excellent writer. The story is interesting and worth the read.
Rating: Summary: As good, or better than, Morrison's "Beloved" Review: This was an amazing book. One of the best works of fiction about slavery. Everyone should read it.
Rating: Summary: Starts off very slow, but don't give up it is worth the effo Review: Butler's book is well worth the time it takes to get into it. My cousin and I read it and had the same reaction, after the first chapter we were ready to stop. I told her to stick with it, it would get better and it did. I was reading like a demon trying to finish it so that that I could get to the end. Butler was required reading but I am glad because I thoroughly loved reading the book. Great read, get it!!!!!
Rating: Summary: The best book I've ever read!!!! Review: From the first sentence I was mezmerized. "I lost my left arm on my last trip home"! Even though Ms. Butler's books are classified as Science Fiction this book also gave me a history lesson. An inside look at how our ancestors came to be.
Rating: Summary: LOVED this book Review: My husband is really into sci-fi type books. I like them when (and only when) there is good character development. This one was great! I loved the characters and couldn't read the book fast enough to see what was going to happen. I recommend this book to everyone - true enjoyment!
Rating: Summary: I love this book!! I could never put it down! Review: This is one of my favorite books of all time. I am in seventh grade at germantown friends school and we read this for an english assignment. Our whole grade loved it. The plot was really suspenceful and you could never guess what was coming next. I think the mystery in the end of the book is one best parts. Also if you look closly at the cover and the title you notice some very cool things that are realating to the book. When our grade finished reading this book we picked a few students to have a confrence call with Octavia Butler. This really helped us understand the book and how she wrote it. Over all this book should get SIX stars!!
Rating: Summary: This is a "can't put down" book Review: This is one of the most captivating books that I've ever read. I feel that the autohr did such a wonderful job, I felt as if I was travelling across time and space with Dana, the main character. The book was remarkable in that you not only begin to identify with the main character, but everyone in the book comes alive. You literally form mental pictures of the characters from the beginning. This book was so compelling that it is not easily forgotten. I'd recommend this book to everyone. It is classified as a science fiction book, but it also has historical information and the story itself is good. It's entertaining and informative. This is the first book that I've ever read by Ms. Butler, but it sure won't be the last!
Rating: Summary: Fantastic! Review: Generally, I do not enjoy science fiction and predicted that I would find Kindred mildly interesting at best. Boy, was I wrong! Butler is a marvelous author and Kindred is a fantastic and riveting book. I highly recommend it to all... science fiction fan or not!
Rating: Summary: A MUST READ!! Review: I was assigned to read this book for my black studies class last semester, and I was a little apprehensive about reading a sci-fi. I was so impressed with this book, I couldn't put it down. Butler has an amazing way of getting into the reader's head and playing with emotions until you, the reader, are right there in the story. I was so impressed, I even started giving science fiction a shot and some of it's not half bad. Octavia Butler has changed my life.
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