Book Review: Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

Title: Parable of the Sower

Author: Octavia E. Butler

Series/Standalone: Earthseed Duology (Book #1)

Genre: Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopia

Pages:  345

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Year Published: 1993

Format: Paperback Copy (Library Copy)

"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 extraordinary sensitve 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."

My Rating: 2.5/5

I was interested in this book as it was a book that came recommended after The Handmaid's Tale. I can see why people recommend it, it has similar narration styles, the dystopian aspects etc. That being said, this book wasn't what I expected. It spent a lot of time setting up the world, and then the end of the book felt a little rushed to me. That being said, I do plan to try the next book on audio. 

Sidny

Book Review: Voyageur by Diana Gabaldon

Title: Voyageur

Author: Diana Gabaldon

Series/Standalone: Outlander (Book #3)

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Adult

Pages: 870

Publisher: Delta

Year Published: 1993

Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)

First Line: "When I was small, I never wanted to step in puddles."

"From the author of the breathtaking bestsellers Outlander and Dragonfly in Amber, the extraordinary saga continues.

Their passionate encounter happened long ago by whatever measurement Claire Randall took. Two decades before, she had travelled back in time and into the arms of a gallant eighteenth-century Scot named Jamie Fraser. Then she returned to her own century to bear his child, believing him dead in the tragic battle of Culloden. Yet his memory has never lessened its hold on her... and her body still cries out for him in her dreams.

Then Claire discovers that Jamie survived. Torn between returning to him and staying with their daughter in her own era, Claire must choose her destiny. And as time and space come full circle, she must find the courage to face the passion and pain awaiting her... the deadly intrigues raging in a divided Scotland... and the daring voyage into the dark unknown that can reunite or forever doom her timeless love."

My Rating: 4/5

So I started out in this really enjoying where we were going. The story made sense, everybody was having a good time. But then there were some dicey things said. Some characters were just portrayed in problematic ways, and some of the conversations just weren't what I wanted them to be... but then I had to remember when this was set, and when it was published. 1993 wasn't exactly known for PC culture, which is a damn shame. I think that the plot itself was still interesting and kept me reading, but the other factors threw me off enough that it took me a long time to finish. I hope to continue the series within the next year, but due to life stuff, I need to read some smaller books for the next little while.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny