Earthseed Series — Octavia Butler

Finally, after almost six months, I managed to finish Octavia Butler’s Earthseed series. For those who may not know, Octavia was one of the most extraordinary science fiction writers ever to grace this universe. I’m a huge fan of her work, and I deeply regret that she passed away so young. I mention this because the Earthseed series is one that Butler never got to finish, leaving us without the continuation of what was meant to be a trilogy.

Octavia Butler - Font: Pinterest.

The Dystopian World of Parable of the Sower

The first book in the trilogy is Parable of the Sower, a dystopian tale set in a future where American society collapses due to political and environmental crises. In this context, we meet the main character, Lauren Olamina, and follow her struggle to survive after her community is destroyed in an attack by outsiders. What deeply moves us in this book, and what is part of Octavia Butler’s genius, is that the dystopian world she describes is not far from the reality we are living in today. In a world increasingly hostile to minorities and differences, Butler's insights resonate powerfully.

Within this context, Octavia Butler is surgical in showing that Black people, Latinos, and religious minorities suffer the most in the aftermath of societal collapse. Parable of the Sower does not merely describe the calamities and horrors following this true apocalypse. It also illustrates how Lauren rebuilds her sense of purpose through Earthseed: The Books of the Living. Here, a new philosophy emerges from the ruins of Lauren’s life and the cities around her. Octavia strongly warns us to be prepared in case we ever find ourselves amid such social collapse. We must cultivate knowledge of our surroundings, our environment, and the instincts for communal survival that have been part of humanity since its dawn.

The Impact of Shared Experiences

Another important point to mention is that several characters possess a physical condition allowing them to share the feelings, pain, and pleasure of those around them. This condition is a direct result of the drug abuse rampant in society during this period. It compels us to reflect on how the exploitation of others by the powerful has always existed. This theme shows us the depths humanity can reach when power is concentrated in the hands of a few.

I must admit that this reading left me pondering deeply about our current world. It raises questions about the consequences that can arise when a society’s decision-making power is left in the hands of extremists or large corporations.

Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents cover. Font: The Christian Century.

Continuing the Journey in Parable of the Talents

In the second book, Parable of the Talents, Octavia continues Olamina’s story after the events involving the first Earthseed community. This reading is accompanied by a profound sense of hopelessness about whether things will improve—for Lauren, her community, or society at large. At several moments, I thought about giving up due to this overwhelming despair that clings to you as you follow Lauren in her search for answers about her family, her brothers, and her daughter. It also explores her faith in the philosophy she created.

Still, Octavia Butler does not disappoint us. She brings this arc of the series to a close in a way that leaves us feeling a bit more relieved and hopeful about the future.

The Unfinished Legacy of The Parable of the Trickster

A third book, The Parable of the Trickster, was begun by Octavia Butler, but she was unable to finish it due to her premature death. While researching for this text, I found a very interesting article that discusses what was discovered about this third book in Butler’s archives. It leaves us to imagine whether the legacy created by Lauren Olamina and the philosophy that God is Change would continue to spread throughout the universe.

Reflecting on Octavia Butler's Influence

As I reflect on Butler's work, I find myself contemplating the themes of resilience and community. The Earthseed series invites us to consider how we can build a better future, even in the face of despair. It encourages us to connect with one another and to recognize the power of our shared experiences.

And you? Have you read these works or any other book by Octavia Butler in her afrofuturism universe? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Note: As a fan of this wonderful writer, you’ll see other posts here about more of her books that I’ve read.

For those who became interested in the books—or for those who have already read them and would like more information about their context directly from Octavia Butler herself—I recommend reading this interview she gave to Amazon about the series and her experience as a writer.

Book Synopsis

Parable of the Sower

This first Earthseed novel by groundbreaking writer Octavia E. Butler feels like a prophetic nod to our current world. If you were glued to The Handmaid's Tale, you'll love this beautiful new edition of a seminal American classic.

"If there is one thing scarier than a dystopian novel about the future, it's one written in the past that has already begun to come true. This is what makes Parable of the Sower even more impressive than it was when first published." - Gloria Steinem

We are coming apart. We're a rope, breaking, a single strand at a time. America is a place of chaos, where violence rules and only the rich and powerful are safe. Lauren Olamina, a young woman with the extraordinary power to feel the pain of others as her own, records everything she sees of this broken world in her journal. Then, one terrible night, everything alters beyond recognition, and Lauren must make her voice heard for the sake of those she loves. Soon, her vision becomes reality, and her dreams of a better way to live gain the power to change humanity forever.

"All that you touch, You Change. All that you Change, Changes you."

What readers are saying about Octavia Butler:

• "Kindred was written in 1979 but could have been written last year. Incredible. I couldn't put it down."

• "Emotionally and viscerally alive and challenging. I don't know how I missed it before now."

• "A masterpiece by a matchless artist. Butler is simply sublime."

• "Reading these books will change your life."

• "A finely crafted work, rife with emotional power, horrifying in its believability, with a message that cannot be ignored."

  
  

Publisher: HACHETTE INTL

Publication date: August 20, 2019

Edition: International Edition

Language: English

Print length: 320 pages

ISBN-10: 1472263669

ISBN-13: 978-1472263667

Item Weight: 8 ounces

Dimensions: 7.6 x 0.91 x 4.88 inches

Parable of the Talents

In 2032, Lauren Olamina has survived the destruction and ruin of everything she knew. Her peaceful community, based on her newly founded faith, Earthseed, provides refuge for outcasts facing persecution after the election of an ultra-conservative president. Under his rule, Lauren's colony—a minority religious faction led by a young Black woman—becomes a target for the president’s reign of terror and oppression.

Years later, Asha Vere reads the journals of a mother she never knew. As she searches for answers, she struggles to reconcile with the legacy of a mother caught between her duty to her chosen family and her calling to lead humankind into a better future.

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Publication date: August 20, 2019

Edition: Reprint

Language: English

Print length: 448 pages

ISBN-10: 153873219X

ISBN-13: 978-1538732199

Item Weight: 12.2 ounces

Dimensions: 7.05 x 1.13 x 8.65 inches