This highly acclaimed post-apocalyptic novel of hope and terror from award-winning author Octavia E. Butler "pairs well with 1984 or The Handmaid's Tale" (John Green, New York Times)--now with a new foreword by N. K. Jemisin.

When global climate change and economic crises lead to social chaos in the early 2020s, California becomes full of dangers, from pervasive water shortage to masses of vagabonds who will do anything to live to see another day. Fifteen-year-old Lauren Olamina lives inside a gated community with her preacher father, family, and neighbors, sheltered from the surrounding anarchy. In a society where any vulnerability is a risk, she suffers from hyperempathy, a debilitating sensitivity to others' emotions.

Precocious and clear-eyed, Lauren must make her voice heard in order to protect her loved ones from the imminent disasters her small community stubbornly ignores. But what begins as a fight for survival soon leads to something much more: the birth of a new faith . . . and a startling vision of human destiny.

Item Information Item Information

Format: TradePaperback
Author: Butler, Octavia E.
ISBN: 9781538732182
Condition: New
Dimensions: 7.90 x 1.10
Number Of Pages: 368
Publication Year: 2019

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5 ★ 57%

4 ★ 14%

3 ★ 14%

2 ★ 0%

1 ★ 14%

7 Ratings

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Melvin S. - 4 years 10 months ago

A beautiful and gripping novel. The graphic novel adaption is also fantastic.
Contemporary US Dystopia

Tim M. - 4 years 11 months ago

In the last couple decades contemporary dystopia has become a popular subject, in film, TV and literature. Octavia Butler was ahead of the curve with 'Parable of the Sower'. Published in 1993 and set in 2023 is written by, just slightly, Looking Through the Glass Darkly. You could call it a “road story” as much of the novel takes place on the California’s highways and Interstates, as the main characters flee, on foot, a disintegrating Los Angeles for the assumed safety of Northern California. Ms. Butler is able to fill the pages with a sundry of plot twists and incidents, which made the book very compelling reading and sets the stage for the second volume, 'Parable of the Talents'. Ms. Butler got away from us much too soon, and we are the worse for it.
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Pickup C. - 4 years 11 months ago

One of the most important books I have ever read, Octavia Butler is practically a soothsayer with this story, and it is one I will never forget. #SpringPicks
Beautiful and brutal

Anna B. - 5 years 8 months ago

This book was incredible. It had similar vibes to The Road by Cormac McCarthy, and although very different in writing style had the same poetic lyricism. To me, this book felt so real and visceral. I’m not one to love post-apocalyptic books usually, but this was so character driven, poignant, and thought provoking. I appreciated the commentary on racism and environmental justice. I loved it. TW: violent images particularly ones revolving around race and gender. Violence towed children and rape are also themes.
10/10

Kayla H. - 5 years 10 months ago

I read this book for my sci-fi class and expected to hate it, but actually ended up thoroughly enjoying it. The apocalyptic world that Octavia Butler created was terrifyingly realistic, especially in the current state of our world. The book is written as Lauren's journal and the typos are not as bad as others say. Overall an amazing book that I would recommend to anyone. #SummerReading

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Beautiful and brutal

10/10