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Title: Bloodchild: And Other Stories by Octavia E. Butler ISBN: 1888363363 Publisher: Seven Stories Press Pub. Date: December, 1996 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $10.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.55
Rating: 5
Summary: One of the great voices in contemporary science fiction
Comment: There are good science fiction writers. There are great science fiction writers. And then there are those extraordinary science fiction writers whose work both transcends and ennobles the genre. Such a writer is Octavia E. Butler, and "Bloodchild and Other Stories" is a stunning testament of her talent and vision. The pieces in this book have garnered two Hugo Awards and one Nebula (very distinguished honors in the SF world).
"Bloodchild" contains 5 stories (2 of them on the longer side) as well as two illuminating essays. In addition, Butler provides an afterword for each piece. The best of these stories are true masterpieces. "Bloodchild" is about the strange symbiotic relationship between a colony of humans and a very different alien species. In "The Evening and the Morning and the Night" the author creates a haunting portrait of a human subculture that has evolved as the result of a terrifying new disease. Also outstanding is "Speech Sounds," about what happens after a mysterious force impairs humanity's ability to communicate with written and spoken language.
Butler's essay "Positive Obsession" is an illuminating exploration of her distinctive life as a African-American woman who is also a successful SF writer.
Butler's writing style has a stark, painful clarity to it. She writes scenes of horror and despair, but also includes moments of tenderness and hope. Through it all, her stories are rich with insights into the universal human condition. If you are interested in science fiction, in African-American literature, in women's writing, or in the art of the short story, read this book.
Rating: 5
Summary: A top-rate but tiny collection
Comment: In the introduction to this small collection, Octavia Butler tells us why it is so short: she doesn't like writing short stories and her ideas are too big for the short story format. I understand completely. The five short stories she does share (two of which are not science fiction in nature) are excellent and demonstrate the high level and intense emotional content we expect from Butler. Two of these, "Bloodchild" and "Speech Sounds" I read in sci fi magazines years ago and they are what made me search for more of her work. The two essays also included are good insights to Butler's philosophy and experiences as a writer. She may not be a "short story writer" but I am glad that she has shared these five pieces with us.
Rating: 5
Summary: A small book with a big impact.
Comment: Contains 5 short stories, each a gem. Both the title story "Blood Child",
and "Speech Sounds" deservedly won Hugos. A 3rd "The Evening, the Morning,
and the Sun" is equally moving and thought-provoking. Two shorter stories,
"Near of Kin" and "Crossover" are closer to main-stream fiction, and give
us still another look into Butler's heart and mind.
There are also two essays on writing, which are wonderful for any beginning
writer, but also provide still another window into Butler's soul, since she
is above all else a Writer with a capial W.
Octavia Butler is slowly creating the most distinguished body of science
fiction of anyone of her generation. Though she's been honored with the
Hugo twice, her work is still under-appreciated because it deals with issues
more complex than science fiction readers are yet comfortable with, especially
male science fiction readers. But, speaking as a male S/F reader, I recommend
her to all.
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Title: Mind of My Mind by Octavia E. Butler ISBN: 0446361887 Publisher: Warner Books Pub. Date: August, 1994 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Clay's Ark by Octavia E. Butler ISBN: 0446603708 Publisher: Warner Books Pub. Date: December, 1996 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Wild Seed by Octavia E. Butler ISBN: 0446606723 Publisher: Aspect Pub. Date: February, 1999 List Price(USD): $6.50 |
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Title: Patternmaster by Octavia E. Butler ISBN: 0446362816 Publisher: Warner Books Pub. Date: May, 1995 List Price(USD): $6.50 |
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Title: Kindred by Octavia E. Butler ISBN: 0807083054 Publisher: Beacon Press Pub. Date: September, 1988 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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