Has anyone happened to read "Parable of the Sower" or any other Octavia Butler before?
I started it today and got ~8 chapters in...and so far it's probably the best "post-apocalyptic" sci-fi I've read in a bit. There's stuff here I feel like are related to things Rod and I have discussed about surviving a collapse and preserving knowledge and resources as supply chains and wide communication becomes harder and falls apart.
I LOVE N.K. Jemisin and have eaten up and re-read her Broken Earth trilogy, and every time I talk about her my other book-nerd friends tell me I *need* to read Octavia Butler...and I can see why. I'm seeing so many seeds that got planted in NK Jemisin's head just from the start of this one book.
I'm also seeing ideas from Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" series here, but done in a way that makes me...less concerned and more invested and on board with them. Which...is sorely needed for me at this point in time x3
i hadn't heard of her before, but from what the little bit i just read about her and what you have said, i am definitely sold! i enjoyed the first 'Foundation' book mainly because of the writing style and while i plan to finish the trilogy, i can see the overtly colonial mindset in which it was written and would love to see more diverse voices explore some of the ideas. So, Octavia Butler will probably be the top author on my to-read list now thanks Tinc!
Quote from: Tinc on Jun 18, 2025, 10:19 PMHas anyone happened to read "Parable of the Sower" or any other Octavia Butler before?
I started it today and got ~8 chapters in...and so far it's probably the best "post-apocalyptic" sci-fi I've read in a bit. There's stuff here I feel like are related to things Rod and I have discussed about surviving a collapse and preserving knowledge and resources as supply chains and wide communication becomes harder and falls apart.
I LOVE N.K. Jemisin and have eaten up and re-read her Broken Earth trilogy, and every time I talk about her my other book-nerd friends tell me I *need* to read Octavia Butler...and I can see why. I'm seeing so many seeds that got planted in NK Jemisin's head just from the start of this one book.
I'm also seeing ideas from Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" series here, but done in a way that makes me...less concerned and more invested and on board with them. Which...is sorely needed for me at this point in time x3
OH MY GOD you are going to find this so funny, but not only do I own this book, I have a signed copy! ...Somewhere!!
A friend gave it to me as a gift and I cherished the book so much I made sure to keep it in a safe space it could never be harmed and then I forgot where that was, lmao. I think it may still be in NYC. I need to make sure and see if it's there next time I go up.
Ironically I haven't read the book, though. I tried a few times but I was still in college and had too much going on to make time for it. But this is so funny to me that this is the book you were wanting to talk to me about!!
Of course Hawk! And yeah, when I read the first Foundation novel I did find it fascinating as well (I do love most of Asimov's work!), and maybe the rest of the series does show some interesting subtlety here. If you read the rest I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts~
And Rod what the HECK!!! My book nerd friends are probably gonna go wild when they hear that you have a signed copy :D and it's also hilarious it was that book ;D
I'm not sure how much of a reader you are these days buuuuuuut ::pushes you to read it:: (and barring having access to your signed copy, I've been told her estate does really amazing work and to not feel guilty buying a copy....there's also THE LIBRARY!)
I binged it a bunch and finished it today.
I *need* to get part 2. And for those who are worried about reading an "unfinished" trilogy, there was an afterword from NK Jemisin and an interview excerpt that implied book 2 still had a satisfying ending to it (Book 1 did not as much x3).
The afterword also almost made me cry--seeing my favorite author talk about the impact of this book on her life.
It was also really cute, the book had a "Reading Group Guide" at the end with a bunch of discussion starting questions :D:D:D I've never seen this kinda thing before! Young Tinc would have found it really corny. Present Tinc now wants to start a reading group >;3c
Quote from: Tinc on Jun 25, 2025, 02:49 AMI binged it a bunch and finished it today.
I *need* to get part 2. And for those who are worried about reading an "unfinished" trilogy, there was an afterword from NK Jemisin and an interview excerpt that implied book 2 still had a satisfying ending to it (Book 1 did not as much x3).
The afterword also almost made me cry--seeing my favorite author talk about the impact of this book on her life.
It was also really cute, the book had a "Reading Group Guide" at the end with a bunch of discussion starting questions :D:D:D I've never seen this kinda thing before! Young Tinc would have found it really corny. Present Tinc now wants to start a reading group >;3c
That's so lovely!! I love the idea of encouraging people to engage with a work together. Hmm. Maybe as I develop my paintings more and make more complicated pieces I can provide some of these questions myself to get people thinking about art and how it's made and thought about!
A reading group you say? i can't say i wouldn't be interested ;D