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Kindred

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Kindred

By: Octavia E. Butler
Narrated by: Kim Staunton
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Summary

The first science-fiction written by a Black woman, Kindred has become a cornerstone of African-American literature. This combination of slave memoir, fantasy, and historical fiction is a novel of rich literary complexity. 

Having just celebrated her 26th birthday in 1976 California, Dana, an African-American woman, is suddenly and inexplicably wrenched through time into antebellum Maryland. After saving a drowning White boy there, she finds herself staring into the barrel of a shotgun and is transported back to the present just in time to save her life. 

During numerous such time-defying episodes with the same young man, she realizes the challenge she's been given: to protect this young slaveholder until he can father her own great-grandmother. 

Author Octavia E. Butler skilfully juxtaposes the serious issues of slavery, human rights, and racial prejudice with an exciting science-fiction, romance, and historical adventure. Kim Staunton's narrative talent magically transforms the listener's earphones into an audio time machine.

 African American Classics Fiction Historical Fiction Science Fiction Time Travel Fantasy Scary Thought-Provoking

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Critic reviews

"[Kindred] is a shattering work of art with much to say about love, hate, slavery and racial dilemmas, then and now." (Los Angeles Herald Examiner)

"Truly terrifying." (Essence)

"Butler's literary craftsmanship is superb." (The Washington Post Book World)
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This is obviously a classic sci-fi novel, so I'm sure people will be well aware of its importance in general (This is a really good general review of the book: http://brownfemipower.com/archives/329) . But this is also a fantastic reading, I was on tenterhooks from beginning to end...

Gripping

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Ostensibly a time travel novel, Butler’s book is a study of slavery, codependency and race. It’s a good read but, for me as a white woman, not a comfortable one.

Powerful stuff

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A compelling and unusual sci-fi tale of being transported back to a slave times in the USA. unputtadownable, a striking the careful balance between realism and barability of bleakness.

Another absolute gem from Octavia E Butler

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A masterful weaving of the slave history in the 1800s US using sci-fi as a tool to bring depth to the story

Wow incredible story

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loved the story ..hope there's a second book to find out more about how she was chosen to time travel and maybe more on the husbands story. or her kids go back too !

black history with time travel

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