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Parable of the Sower

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Parable of the Sower

By: Octavia E. Butler
Narrated by: Lynne Thigpen
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About this listen

 Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author Octavia E. Butler paints a stunning portrait of an all-too-believable near future. As with Kindred and her other critically-acclaimed novels, Parable of the Sower skillfully combines startling visionary and socially realistic concepts.

God is change. That is the central truth of the Earthseed movement, whose unlikely prophet is 18-year-old Lauren Olamina. The young woman's diary entries tell the story of her life amid a violent 21st-century hell of walled neighborhoods and drug-crazed pyromaniacs - and reveal her evolving Earthseed philosophy. Against a backdrop of horror emerges a message of hope: if we are willing to embrace divine change, we will survive to fulfill our destiny among the stars.

For her elegant, literate works of science fiction, Octavia E. Butler has been compared to Toni Morrison and Ursula K. LeGuin. Narrator Lynne Thigpen's melodious voice will hold you spellbound throughout this compelling parable of modern society.

©1993 Octavia E. Butler (P)2000 Recorded Books, LLC Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction Emotionally Gripping Scary Heartfelt

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This is one of the most extraordinary stories. I’ve listened to in a very long time. It’s heartfelt, well considered, and deeply moving. It feels so possibly real and a potential future that we could face very soon. The characters are genuine and the wish for survival for the lead character drives the reader on wood. Can highly recommend this book. Although it can be tough to listen to their is an extraordinary amount of hope.

Extraordinary story and well read

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I loved the twists and turns. The love for humanity even in desperate times. I wanted more, I wanted to listen again, a sequel, continuation...

The Unexpected

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I sought this book out as i saw a post elsewhere that said it and the Handmaid’s Tale were warnings not guidance. I was about a third of the way through when i read more about Octavia Butler and was shocked to discover it was written more than 30 years ago. It is not a cheery book and the violence is ever present but some how not in a way that makes you recoil, it is shocking but both the writing and the reader manage to convey a horror and despair without inducing only horror and despair in this reader, nor glamourising or glossing over. It is a rare skill to be able to educate about danger, as opposed to simply scaring people into paralysis, a point well made early on in this book.

Prophetic

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At first it seemed not for me, but after the fist 15 min I was absolutely hooked.

Surprisingly absorbing

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An utterly compelling, thought-provoking dystopian vision. I finished the book in two days flat. Much recommended.

Eerily prescient

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An incredible performance of an important piece of literature. Like bell hooks writing fiction. Was Octavia Butler into Alfred North Whitehead? God is change.

At once terrifying and inspiring

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Sumptuous, incisive prose. I devoured this! The world and the characters Butler created will stay with me a long time.

Incredibly narrated

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I loved this book & read it whilst listening to the audible narration which was read beautifully, as if the narrator had written it herself with so much heart and feeling. It is a story about hope for humanity in the midst of utter societal devastation, despair and destruction. A message that we can still save and create a better world starting within our own little communities. That change is a constant but that we can shape our change. A call to action to save our lives, our environment, our peoples combined, our Earth. Our humanity. It is not always an easy read, highlighting with an almost casual unerring ease the cruelty that we commit and are capable of within a few short steps towards poverty the fight for survival at any cost. It is set in 2024/25 and is highly prophetic (being published in 1993). It is truly a work of art and a call to action. An incredible writer and such a beautiful vision..

Thank you Octavia E. Butler.

This story is a work of Art!

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I have read several books by Butler and have been moved by them all. This is no exception. There are bits that are really hard to listen to, but it is ultimately hopeful. There is a fair bit about the religion the MC has “received”. It is always in context also serves to bring the group of stragglers encountered together. The initial set up is slow and seems more like slice-of-life than a plot, but then it morphs into a road trip, which gives the story more direction.

I will read the sequel soon.

Another meaningful novel by OEB

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Fell in love with this book. I can't wait to read the next one.

Excellent excellent excellent

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