About the Book
Title: Parable of the Sower
Author: Octavia E. Butler
Series: Earthseed #1
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian
Pages: 368
Edition Read: Paperback
Dates Read: August 24 – 27, 2026
Blurb: In 2024, with the world descending into madness and anarchy, one woman begins a fateful journey toward a better future.
Lauren Olamina and her family live in one of the only safe neighborhoods remaining on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Behind the walls of their defended enclave, Lauren’s father, a preacher, and a handful of other citizens try to salvage what remains of a culture that has been destroyed by drugs, disease, war, and chronic water shortages. While her father tries to lead people on the righteous path, Lauren struggles with hyperempathy, a condition that makes her extraordinarily sensitive to the pain of others.
When fire destroys their compound, Lauren’s family is killed and she is forced out into a world that is fraught with danger. With a handful of other refugees, Lauren must make her way north to safety, along the way conceiving a revolutionary idea that may mean salvation for all mankind.
Review
How funny is it to read something published back in the 90s talking about the distant future of . . . 2024. I didn’t even notice that until I copied over the blurb from GoodReads.
I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to read this book. It’s been on my bookshelf for a long time and on my radar for even longer. Butler is an absolute legend, but sadly, I’ve only read one of her books before this. After reading Parable, I definitely need to read more.
The story world that Butler sets is grim and dark. The fact that it’s our own world where things have gone terribly, horribly wrong makes it even more scary. This is a very difficult thing to do, and I’ve seen other authors really mess that up. The world needs to still feel real, yet completely different. It needs to be familiar and recognizable while also being completely foreign. Butler does this perfectly. Her descriptions of everything are gritty and visceral and, although things are incredibly bleak, there is still a shred of hope left that keeps everyone going, including the reader.
Moving on to the story itself, starting with the main character. I absolutely loved Lauren. She is a fighter, a survivor, and despite all the horrible things happening to her, she never loses her compassion or humanity. She is supportive of her family and her community, right up until the time that she loses everything. Even on her travels northward, she is reaching out to help others on the same journey, despite the constant threat of gangs and other dangers. Her concept of Earthseed, which is essentially a new religion she is creating through her writing, is really beautiful. It embraces change as its central concept.
All that you touch
You Change.All that you Change
Changes you.The only lasting truth
Is Change.God
Is Change.
I can’t help but compare that to a lot of modern religion that fights to stay the same. Earthseed not only embraces change, it welcomes it and reveres it. I think that’s beautiful.
This book is a modern day classic for a reason. It was absolutely captivating and I couldn’t put it down.
GoodReads rating: 5 stars
Categories: Books I've Read
Leave a Reply