Parable of the Talents

Erica reviewed Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler (Earthseed, #2)

Sometimes you have to bury your gifts to ensure survival

3 stars

This book definitely felt like a bridge to what could have been the next in a whole series. In fact I wonder if what was put in the epilogue traces the overarching plot of what could have been. I really would have liked to see a conversation between Olamina's space colonization desires with her daughter's view of "let's make sure we've figured out how to live on Earth in peace before we head to the stars."

This book does seem to put a cap on the 'Pox that treats it as just a stumbling block in the world's progress, but I would like to have heard Butler's answer to the question of "now that we've overcome our greatest trials, how do we move forward?" I guess what I'm asking for is more spiritual and philosophical introspection, but the narrative stays pretty focused on events.

benwerd@bookwyrm.social reviewed Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler (Earthseed, #2)

All that you touch, you change

5 stars

I fought my way through Parable of the Talents, not because it isn’t masterful - it is - but because Octavia Butler’s writing unflinchingly covers ideas and traumas that have become more relevant in the time since its publication. Butler was a soothsayer, unfortunately able to accurately predict the future based on the treatment of people in her present. It’s a harrowing read with obvious parallels to our current right-wing context. But it wasn’t until the epilogue that it completely destroyed me. This is a human story at its heart, with living, breathing characters who love and yearn, sometimes messily. It’s real, for every definition of real. I fought my way through Parable of the Talents, not because it isn’t masterful - it is - but because Octavia Butler’s writing unflinchingly covers ideas and traumas that have become more relevant in the time since its publication. Butler was a soothsayer, …

I fought my way through Parable of the Talents, not because it isn’t masterful - it is - but because Octavia Butler’s writing unflinchingly covers ideas and traumas that have become more relevant in the time since its publication. Butler was a soothsayer, unfortunately able to accurately predict the future based on the treatment of people in her present. It’s a harrowing read with obvious parallels to our current right-wing context. But it wasn’t until the epilogue that it completely destroyed me. This is a human story at its heart, with living, breathing characters who love and yearn, sometimes messily. It’s real, for every definition of real. I fought my way through Parable of the Talents, not because it isn’t masterful - it is - but because Octavia Butler’s writing unflinchingly covers ideas and traumas that have become more relevant in the time since its publication. Butler was a soothsayer, unfortunately able to accurately predict the future based on the treatment of people in her present. It’s a harrowing read with obvious parallels to our current right-wing context. But it wasn’t until the epilogue that it completely destroyed me. This is a human story at its heart, with living, breathing characters who love and yearn, sometimes messily. It’s real, for every definition of real.

Anuradha Reddy reviewed Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler

Fantastic read and too real!

5 stars

I loved the sequel as much as the first book. It's simultaneously tragic and utopian; I don't know how Butler (and other black women authors) does it!

jv reviewed La parábola de los talentos by Octavia E. Butler

Review of 'La parábola de los talentos' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

El segunto tomo de Earthseed introduce una nueva narradora, responsable de alguna pequeña trampa narrativa pero que ayuda a tirar de la novela. La esclavitud entra en escena con fuerza y se desvela la tesis del libro: la obligación de hacer frente a la propia responsabilidad.

No ha terminado de atraparme.

Sam

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April 18

Torfinn Nome

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Aug. 21, 2023

Eivind (like the Terrible)

rated it

Aug. 31, 2017

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