[Image Description: Book cover of Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler. There is an image of a black woman holding an open notebook in her lap. There is additional text that reads “Multiple award-winning author of Kindred and Fledgling.” and a review quote that says “Gripping...Poignant...Succeeds on multiple levels. - New York Times Book Review.”]
Title: Parable of the Sower
Author: Octavia E. Butler
Prompt: 5 - A book that takes place in the future with a protagonist of color
Summary (from Goodreads): In 2025, with the world descending into madness and anarchy, one woman begins a fateful journey toward a better future. Lauren Olamina and her family live in one of the only safe neighborhoods remaining on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Behind the walls of their defended enclave, Lauren’s father, a preacher, and a handful of other citizens try to salvage what remains of a culture that has been destroyed by drugs, disease, war, and chronic water shortages. While her father tries to lead people on the righteous path, Lauren struggles with hyperempathy, a condition that makes her extraordinarily sensitive to the pain of others. When fire destroys their compound, Lauren’s family is killed and she is forced out into a world that is fraught with danger. With a handful of other refugees, Lauren must make her way north to safety, along the way conceiving a revolutionary idea that may mean salvation for all mankind.
Review: I also read this book for a different prompt in 2020 and my review is here.
This book is very bleak but impactful. I love the poetry and philosophy of Earthseed, and how it adds hope in a very grim world. Lauren is a great protagonist, and the writing is wonderful. Overall, I highly recommend it, but look up trigger warnings beforehand, because there are a lot of upsetting things that happen.
