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Summary: Wild Seed
Review: I have read three of Butler's books, the Parable of the Sower, Clay's Ark and Wild Seed. This is my third favorite. Butler is an imaginative and masterful writer. I continue to be impressed by her.
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Summary: Truly marvelous and different
Review: I read this book because Orson Scott Card recommended it in his "How To Write Science Fiction and Fantasy" book. He recommended it because Octavia Butler loads a tremendous amount of meaning into every phrase. I read the book, then, as a technical example of good writing, but was blown away by a story that defies categorization. It is a battle between two immortals, but it is also a strange love story. This tale would make Machiavelli rethink about the uses and abuses of power. I will never forget this story.
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Summary: Best Author Ever
Review: This was the first book by O. Butler I read. I still re-read it sometimes. The woman is brilliant and truly, honestly, unbelievably original. You won't find her ideas cropping up elsewhere. They are new and completely original to her. Extremely satisfying read; though my favorite is still the series Dawn; Adulthood Rites and Imago. Riveting. I'd live there in a heartbeat.
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Summary: Ultimately a downer
Review: I disagree with the majority vote here. I found the writing and story line to be like a bad Anne Rice novel. At least with Rice's vampires, you get a sense of their passion. Butler's book lacks this passion. For this reason, I found the characters not very well developed. To me, Doro was flatly evil and Anyanwu was long-suffering. And the various powers the characters possess end up seeming X-men cartoonish.I do think Butler writes well, and loved the Lillith's Brood series. But this book disappointed me and didn't leave me any the better for having invested my time in reading it.
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Summary: Buy it! Read it! Pass it on!
Review: What's good about Butler's writings is that she challenges your imagination, and compels & encourages your mind to react outside the norm. The book is easy to read; but be forewarned, if you want it as a book to read on the train while commuting, it'll be hard to put down (not to mention you'll almost forget where you are). Immortality, sexual gratification and death, at the hands of one who thinks he owns your very essence, is not to far removed from what some extremists in our world feel is necessary for the existence of their race or nationality. You'll find yourself immediately empathizing with any of the characters. Butler is on to something, so much so that you want more. And though not many have said it, you get it in Patternmaster (but on an entirely different plane and vision). Buy it! Read it! Pass it on to someone who may not have considered it!
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Summary: EXCELLENT, one of her best
Review: I am not a fan of Science Fiction but I am a fan of this book. I haven't read a book of any genre lately that can compete with the character development or storyline. This book, simply put, is... fantastic. The story of Doro and Ayanawu is a story I am sure to read again and again.
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Summary: Intriguing...
Review: I picked up this book on no less a recommendation than Orson Scott Card (in his book "How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy"). He said the book was compelling and Butler's writing flawless -- and I was not disappointed. The premise of "Wild Seed" is slightly disturbing, as is most of the book, but the book teaches a good lesson. Doro is a -- being that cannot die; or rather, his body(ies) die(s) often, but his essence doesn't. He is trying to "breed" a more perfect race of humans, who will live longer than average; after so many millennia, he is more than a little cold to the feelings of such "transient" people. But then he meets Anyanwu, a woman who is several thousand years younger but more powerful, in a way, than Doro, with a strong will to survive and great compassion for other people; and she herself is no youngster at 350 years of age. They meet, and Doro tries to control her; but soon he realizes that he can't -- not completely. Yet the two need each other, although they don't realize it at first. They have an effect on each other. Anyanwu learns real fear; Doro learns a little humility and humanity. And their relationship(s), their actions, are told beautifully and skillfully by Butler. The themes of immortality have been explored in other books, such as the children's book "Tuck Everlasting." But here we get the feeling that Butler really knows what it would really be like to (have to) live forever. This is what would truly happen to someone who died constantly, yet lived forever. The book ends satisfyingly with respect to the main plot and relationship; the characters' effects on and relationship to the world aren't resolved, but then, that was not the point. By the end of the book, all the sex started to bother me. None is even remotely explicit, but in a book about breeding, what can you expect? It occurs often. Still, for such a delicate topic, Butler handles it with dignity and tact. Overall, a good read, one to get you thinking.
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Summary: the sheer power of imagination
Review: This is the first Octavia Butler book I read, recommended by a friend who is a fan of hers. I was not disappointed. Her "speculative fiction" contains ideas which are only a few degrees removed from our current reality. At the rate humanity is evolving, there may come a time in the future when psychic gifts, immortality, supernatural healing abilities and astral travel are innate characteristics, as opposed to legend or the rare, often disputed examples that exist today. In this story, Doro and Anyanwu, two powerful beings, cross paths. The core story of Wildseed is the developing and deepening relationship between these two beings, and their relationships to lesser evolved, but still powerful, beings like them. Doro "farms" these poweful beings with rare gifts; he engineers them. Anyanwu just is; she is "wildseed," and occasionally out of Doro's control. Although Anyanwu is female and Doro male, their power, sensitivity, passion, and determination transcend; they are portraits of the most powerful, the most full, that a human spirit can be. Seen as metaphors for human spiritual development, Anyanwu and Doro are the fantasies many of us carry in ourselves, the fantasy of ultimate power, a power of Creation that borders on the divine. Butler's writing is strong, supple and gorgeous. She's the type of writer than can turn a phrase so beautifully, that you'll read it over several times, letting her insight and creativity sink in. Butler's imagination is wide open. Only a mind totally open could dream up characters such as these. Although I haven't read any other Butler books, I did buy "Earthseed" to read next. Butler's writing is a gift, a magnificent talent that cuts to the heart of the matter.
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Summary: Read this book, please! You'll be glad you did.
Review: The unaminity that we who have read this book give it five stars is no mistake. If you haven't read this book: read it! One quibble I do have: others are calling it science fiction, it's not, it's fantasy. That is, the "powers" that the main characters Doro and Anyanwu are not explained scientifically but are magic. Whether you like sf or fantasy or novels with strong African-American protagonists or excellent stories or historical fiction or all of the above: read this book.
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Summary: finally a bit of background
Review: The title character of this book is encountered in the first few books of this series. Thus it was wonderful to read a book that focuses on her and why she is so important to the "plan". A strong but yet realistic woman, readers will be able to empathize and understand if not like the choices that are made. Felt a bit slow at points and more focus onto the main character would make the book enough stronger in my humble opinion.
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