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Parable of the Sower

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Parable of the Sower

By: Octavia E. Butler
Narrated by: Lynne Thigpen
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About this listen

Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author Octavia E. Butler paints a stunning portrait of an all-too-believable near future. As with Kindred and her other critically-acclaimed novels, Parable of the Sower skillfully combines startling visionary and socially realistic concepts.

God is change. That is the central truth of the Earthseed movement, whose unlikely prophet is 18-year-old Lauren Olamina. The young woman's diary entries tell the story of her life amid a violent 21st-century hell of walled neighborhoods and drug-crazed pyromaniacs—and reveal her evolving Earthseed philosophy. Against a backdrop of horror emerges a message of hope: if we are willing to embrace divine change, we will survive to fulfill our destiny among the stars.

For her elegant, literate works of science fiction, Octavia E. Butler has been compared to Toni Morrison and Ursula K. LeGuin. Narrator Lynne Thigpen's melodious voice will hold you spellbound throughout this compelling parable of modern society.

©1993 Octavia E. Butler (P)2000 Recorded Books, LLC African American Dystopian Fiction Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Fantasy Emotionally Gripping Scary Tear-jerking

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Most relevant
I have read several books by Butler and have been moved by them all. This is no exception. There are bits that are really hard to listen to, but it is ultimately hopeful. There is a fair bit about the religion the MC has “received”. It is always in context also serves to bring the group of stragglers encountered together. The initial set up is slow and seems more like slice-of-life than a plot, but then it morphs into a road trip, which gives the story more direction.

I will read the sequel soon.

Another meaningful novel by OEB

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Quite possibly the best post-apocalyptic novel ever. The narrator has a voice that fits the character and gives a very good performance.

Outstanding

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Excellent world building, extremely vivid story world. Even though I'm writing this review in 2022, and the book was published in 1993, it feels like it predicts a possible near future. The story makes you think a lot about how we set up the world we live in and how well (or not) that is working out for everyone. Great stuff.

Also really liked the narrator's voice. Strong and warm.

A very engaging listen

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This is an apocolyptic story of a young girl, personal and written with an incredible depth of thought of where our world might go one day in the not so near future. It has tragedy, tenderness, hope and promise delivered with a haunting reality. Gives one a lot to think about

I have am about to start Mrs Butler's Parable of Talents having just finished listening to this one. Can't wait.

The narration fit well with the subject and was pleasing in tone. Happily Recommended and am now a big fan of Octavia Butlers writing.

Beautiful story

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What a book. Octavia Butler punches hard. The Parable of the Sower feels too real, almost palpable - maybe that's what makes it such a good book. The protagonist is likeable and easy to connect to, which is good because she is the driver. The characters that she meets along her hard road are sometimes complex and sometimes clear as day. The world is scary, desolate, real and haunting. Underneath the many layers of the story is a directional pull toward compassion and solidarity, after listening to this I am left with a feeling akin to a call to action - to be kind, to remember love and empathy as a way to survive the harshness of our very real, very scary world.

The book is well read, the voice actors narration is steady and easy to get along with, and I think, a nice voice.

Watch out, this book is brutal and not for the feint of heart!

Heavy, hopeful, resilient.

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