Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower (no spoilers)

[@Talking_Story]

Had a chance to see Octavia Butler speak when I got my copy of Parable of the Sower signed. What a grand person!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

What an incredible experience, John! I’d love to hear that story next time we chat!

[@arabellawillow]

That's to cool! Il second Philip's request to hear the story 🤭

[@AnithaGadeReads]

That's so cool, John.

[@someokiedude9549]

Who haven't you met or seen John?!

[@Talking_Story]

@@someokiedude9549 I been around a while. What can I say. 😂

[@ACriticalDragon]

I thought that you might like this one. Butler was a fantastic author and her work is both moving and important.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you, Nemesis! I look forward to reading more of Butler's novels in the future.

[@mariareadsssf]

The "Earthseed" duology left such a mark on me not only as a reader, but also as a human being. Octavia E. Butler has that gift of changing a reader in subtle ways.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@mariareadsssf Beautifully said! It’s a life-changing read, for sure.

[@mattkean1128]

This felt like such a believable, and realistic take on how things could go. I was really infected with the character's desire to plan. Her affliction is an interesting component. One I think she could have easily written around and left out completely without much trouble. So much so that it must've been a strong conscious choice to include.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I think Lauren’s hyperempathy serves a couple functions. One is in how she came to have it, emphasizing the broken state of the world through drug addiction and corporate exploitation simultaneously (just look at how people the pharmaceutical industry knowingly got addicted to opioids in the name of profit). But I feel like her condition also might be one reason why she’d come up with something like Earthseed. It’s an interesting piece of Lauren and the story. Cheers, Matt!

[@thedrownedkingdomsaga7847]

What an incredible review Philip. Have always wanted to read this one. You've pushed it up my TBR even more. Always appreciate your wonderful insights.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I have no doubt you will take so much from this story, PL. Also, the good news for you is that Canada is in much better shape in the story, so you can feel much safer while reading!

[@YouTubdotCub]

She is such a brilliant writer and so good at weaving characterization and themes together.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I absolutely agree! Lauren is a beautiful example.

[@Charles_Reid]

Intro was awesome. "It is 2024, and things are falling apart. No I'm not referring to current events, I'm referring to Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower" Made me laugh.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@Charles_Reid Ha ha! I’m glad! Sometimes we need to laugh!

[@thefantasythinker]

You're very right about how relevant this book is. I like that idea, just change the date a bit and beware the possibilities of what might come! Excellent review Philip!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you, Jarrod! Butler’s portrayal of the future is definitely still on the table, I fear. Hopefully, we can find the wisdom to avoid the worst of it.

[@perrywakefield1698]

Parable of the Sower and Dune are my two favorite scifi books. Octavia Butler is underrated in my opinion. Great review, as always.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you, Perry! Now that I've read it, I can enthusiastically agree that Parable of the Sower is a book that should be widely read and celebrated. All the best!

[@ZOMGfantasy]

An excellent, eloquent review as always Philip! Thank you for sharing your thoughts 😊

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you for watching, Zammar!

[@BookishChas]

Great review Philip! I’ve never read this, but it’s been on my list.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I think you’d take a lot from this one, Chas!

[@someokiedude9549]

Dr. Fantasy doing sci-fi? What is this? Alternate universe Philip? Seriously, this was a really good review as always Philip! I myself also read my first Butler book this year, Kindred, and it's my only 5 star read that I've had so far this year. Also my favorite book I've read this year thus far. I wish more science fiction authors were like Butler, though I think one could get away with describing Kindred as fantasy or even magical realism. Anyway, great video!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you, Britton! I’m looking forward to reading Kindred as well!

[@lucasrogers9055]

I want to be like you one day you articulate what your getting across very well

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

You are very kind, Lucas! Thank you for watching!

[@domokosjapi]

I am currently reading it, just about finishing the first book. It's a great read as well Octavia's other novels. Thanks for the review, great work.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you! My best wishes to you for the finish!

[@domokosjapi]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy just finished it, can't wait to start the next book 📚

[@DoUnicornsRead]

I always love your reviews, Philip, but this time is especially appreciated! For me Octavia E. Butler together with Ursula K. LeGuin is one of the greatest women writers. And by far not talked about enough.Was this the first book you read by her? And are you going to read the sequel, Parable of the Talents? Thank you, for this brilliant review!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you, Angela! This was indeed my first read of a book by Butler. I haven't decided whether to follow up with Parable of the Talents or read Kindred first. Either way, this will not be my last Butler book as she was obviously brilliant!

[@AnithaGadeReads]

Fantastic review, Philip. This series is one of the first buddyreads' I did with friends and the first review I ever did in my channel. Its always going to be special for me. What Butler did with such a young protagonist with philosophical perspective in a bleak society is just brilliant.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Your first review? That’s so cool, Anitha! You said it very well - it really is brilliant.

[@StoryGirl1128]

Thanks for the review! I’ve not read it, but maybe sometime!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

If you do read it, I hope you’ll take a lot from the experience! Thank you for watching!

[@The8BitPianist]

I've read Kindred by Octavia Butler, and it was very good. The Parable of the Sower sounds very interesting, especially the themes you laid out! I'll make sure to check it out, thanks!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I hope you'll get a lot from The Parable of the Sower! Cheers!

[@Nasser851000]

The Book that predicted the future XD

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Yes, indeed! It would be nice if we could avoid the worst of Butler's vision in The Parable of the Sower, but I'm not sure we'll wise up enough as a species.

[@Johanna_reads]

Excellent review! I loved hearing your thoughts on this book and all the elements of hope you noticed. “Kindred” is one of my favorite books, and I need to get to this one sometime. Smart move reading it in 2024!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you, Johanna! I had the book ready to read on my TBR, but when AP pointed out that it starts in 2024 (in July, no less!), I bumped it up a little. I'm confident you'll get a lot from this one.

[@Snally38]

Great review Philip! I haven't read this one yet, but your description of the book as bleak and visceral but with some hope aligns with my experience reading other Butler books (especially Kindred). Looking forward to reading this based on your recommendation!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I hope you'll take a lot from the experience if you do pick up this one! It is so timely.

[@arabellawillow]

This was recommended to me years ago but I think you may have just sold it 😉

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I hope you'll gain a lot from the experience of reading Parable of the Sower, Arabella!

[@BrettDornoff]

Adding to my list another recommendation is the stand by Stephen king big big world building similar situations

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I intend to read The Stand someday. I enjoyed The Dark Tower series too much to not want more books by King.

[@CombativeRoboGuy]

I looked up Parable of the Sower after your Weeks that were and realized that it was set in 2024 and by Butler so I went out and bought it to read next month. The guy there was telling me that when his coworker read it he asked how it was and they said “Don’t talk to me”

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Yikes! I don't know if "Don't talk to me" is a good thing or a bad thing . . . But I do hope that you'll take a lot from the experience when you read The Parable of the Sower. Not only does it begin in 2024, but it starts in July, so you picked the right month!

[@CombativeRoboGuy]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Oh wow, even better. I think they were actually talking about Parable of the Talents but I hope to take a lot from the experience. I saw a delightful quote on TBB editions which said “Everything you touch you change. Everything you change changes you,” and I think that it is very poignant.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@CombativeRoboGuy That quote is very much at the heart of the story.

[@CombativeRoboGuy]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy That makes me VERY excited. Thank you

[@currangill430]

The empathy power reminds of the show "The Haunting of Hill House" I wonder if it was inspired by this book

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I haven’t seen the show, but you never know!

[@currangill430]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy I don't think you'd like it. It's a horror based show. And I've heard a rumor that you don't have a TV 😁

[@bryson2662]

Was this your first Butler. Parable is excellent but Kindred killed me

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

This was my first read of a book by Butler. It won't be my last!