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Parable of the Sower

Book 1 in the series:Earthseed

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In the book 'Parable of the Sower' by Octavia E. Butler, readers are taken on a journey through a dystopian near future California where society has collapsed due to climate change, political discord, violence, and social unrest. The story follows a young African American woman named Lauren Olamina who possesses hyperempathy syndrome, allowing her to feel the pain and pleasure of those around her. As she navigates the chaos and destruction around her, Lauren creates a new religion called Earthseed, aiming to prepare for a new society among the stars. The novel delves into themes of survival, community-building, philosophical reflections on change, and the power of resilience in the face of adversity.

Characters:

The characters, especially Lauren, are complex and diverse, often reflecting societal issues while contributing to themes of community and survival.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is clear and concise, using journal entries to convey realism, while balancing lyrical descriptions with stark portrayals of violence and societal collapse.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot of the book centers around a dystopian future where society is collapsing. The protagonist, Lauren, embodies the struggle for survival and community-building as she establishes a new belief system called Earthseed.

Setting:

The setting features a post-apocalyptic California ravaged by climate change and societal collapse, profoundly affecting the characters and their beliefs.

Pacing:

The pacing starts slower to develop characters and the world but quickens after significant conflicts arise, increasing emotional intensity.
I HAD MY RECURRING dream last night. I guess I should have expected it. It comes to me when I struggle—when I twist on my own personal hook and try to pretend that nothing unusual is happening. It com...

Notes:

The main character, Lauren Olamina, is a teenage girl with hyperempathy, meaning she feels the pain and pleasure of others.
The story is set in a dystopian future California, starting in the year 2024.
It was first published in 1993, making its predictions eerily relevant to modern society.
Lauren creates her own belief system called Earthseed, which centers on the idea that 'God is Change.'
The narrative is presented in the form of Lauren's diary entries, giving it a personal and introspective perspective.
The book explores themes of survival, community, and the human condition amidst societal collapse.
Butler addresses serious social issues such as climate change, economic inequality, and systemic racism through the lens of a dystopian world.
The novel has been praised for its character development and exploration of personal and societal resilience.
The characters in the book are diverse, reflecting the racial and social makeup of modern America.
Parable of the Sower is considered a precursor to many contemporary apocalyptic and dystopian narratives that followed it.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains high content warnings for sexual violence, murder, drug abuse, and general violence.

From The Publisher:

Parable of the Sower is the Butlerian odyssey of one woman who is twice as feeling in a world that has become doubly dehumanized. The time is 2025. The place is California, where small walled communities must protect themselves from hordes of desperate scavengers and roaming bands of people addicted to a drug that activates an orgasmic desire to burn, rape, and murder. When one small community is overrun, Lauren Olamina, an 18 year old black woman with the hereditary train of "hyperempathy"-which causes her to feel others' pain as her own-sets off on foot along the dangerous coastal highways, moving north into the unknown.

Ratings (119)

Incredible (31)
Loved It (46)
Liked It (27)
It Was OK (7)
Did Not Like (7)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (335):

Read It (115)
Currently Reading (2)
Want To Read (173)
Did Not Finish (5)
Not Interested (40)

2 comment(s)

Loved It
3 months

Distopia escrita hace 30 años pero que acierta bastante.

Como alguien que vive en California que es donde esto esta situado, puedo dar fe de que el cambio climático esta haciendo que el agua sea un recurso muy escaso y que hay mucho vagabundo suelto.

Siempre es impresionante cuando un libro hace eso.

Otra cosa que hace bien son los personajes, los delimita muy bien, aunque hay un gran elenco esta bastante diferenciado y sin caer en tópicos.

La prosa fluye y siendo un libro relativamente corto, se le muy rapido.

La conclusion en cambio me pareció bastante floja, por eso no le doy 5 estrellas, no voy a entrar en detalles.

 
Did Not Like
6 months

Deeply uncomfortable to read

 

About the Author:

Octavia E. Butler (1947-2006) was the author of many novels, including Dawn, Wild Seed, andParable of the Sower. She was the recipient of a MacArthur Award and a Nebula Award, and she twice won the Hugo Award.

 
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