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A review by lon3rston3r
Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
THIS IS THE SECOND BOOK OF A SERIES
Umm ok...I know this book series is already depressing, but it starts so depressing because Lauren is DEAD?! And she had a daughter?! We learn more about what happened to Lauren after the events of the first book due to her daughter having her journals. Lauren fell in love with a doctor (super weird and creepy age gap, I don't care what she says) and cultivated the Earthseed community that she dreamed of. Her community is threatened by a new Christian fascist president whose campaign motto is "Make America Great Again'. How the hell did Octavia E. Butler know that?! I'm telling you she's a time traveller! This is supposed to be FICTION!
Lauren's daughter is filled with resentment towards her mother and her mother's other child, Earthseed. I feel like her daughter resents her only because of the demise of Earthseed, her father, and the relationship she desires with her mother. She grows up pretty privileged with relatives who have bowed down to the Christian fascist system that allows them to be safe, rich, and educated. Lauren's daughter is almost an antithesis to who she was. I also believe that given how Lauren's daughter grew up, she is definitely indoctrinated into a system her mother fought hard against.
Much like the first book, it requires more than one reading to see all the themes and messages laid out in the book. Some of the themes I noticed are the historical patterns of societal desperation and the turn to Christian fascism which sounds really familiar. Almost like what's occurring right now. It touches on how society yearns for community and safety and how religion and extremism (from those in power) take over.
Lauren's daughter is filled with resentment towards her mother and her mother's other child, Earthseed. I feel like her daughter resents her only because of the demise of Earthseed, her father, and the relationship she desires with her mother. She grows up pretty privileged with relatives who have bowed down to the Christian fascist system that allows them to be safe, rich, and educated. Lauren's daughter is almost an antithesis to who she was. I also believe that given how Lauren's daughter grew up, she is definitely indoctrinated into a system her mother fought hard against.
Much like the first book, it requires more than one reading to see all the themes and messages laid out in the book. Some of the themes I noticed are the historical patterns of societal desperation and the turn to Christian fascism which sounds really familiar. Almost like what's occurring right now. It touches on how society yearns for community and safety and how religion and extremism (from those in power) take over.