Parable of the Talents cover art

Parable of the Talents

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Parable of the Talents

By: Octavia E. Butler
Narrated by: Patricia R. Floyd, Peter Jay Fernandez, Sisi Aisha Johnson
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About this listen

Environmental devastation and economic chaos have turned America into a land of horrifying depravity. Assault, theft, sexual abuse, slavery, and murder are commonplace. Taking advantage of the situation, a zealous, bigoted tyrant wins his way into the White House.

Directly opposed is Lauren Olamina, founder of Earthseed - a new faith that teaches "God Is Change". Persecuted for "heathen" beliefs as much as for having a Black female leader, Earthseed's followers face a life-and-death struggle to preserve their vision.

Best-selling author Octavia Butler's fluid writing and keen observations about race, gender, politics, and religion make for a moving parable that will be pondered for generations. A powerful reading from three standout narrators captures the multi-generational sweep of this poignant tale.

Butler's acclaimed novels have won numerous awards, and she is a recipient of a "genius" grant from the MacArthur Foundation. Parable of the Talents was selected as one of the best books of the year by Publishers Weekly.

©2007 Octavia Butler (P)2007 Recorded Books, LLC Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction Suspense Thriller & Suspense Emotionally Gripping Scary Paranormal

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Critic reviews

  • Nebula Award, Best Novel, 1999

"Octavia E. Butler is one of the finest voices in fiction....period." (Washington Post Book World)
"These...are the keynotes of Talents: family and characters, warmth and endurance, hope and determination. It's a worthy book, well up to Butler's standard for thoughtfulness and insight." (Analog Science Fiction & Fact)
"Though not for the faint-hearted, this work stands out as a testament to the author's enormous talent, and to the human spirit." (Publishers Weekly)
All stars
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What a writer. I'd love to see her books as films. Great writing. Loved it

I wish I read both this and Sower years ago

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Another great book from Octavia Butler. Hard to hear but so important.

My only criticism is that Aubible once again have messed up the editing and chapters start far too soon. They need to get better editors.

A great story

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A great follow up story but difficult to stomach a dystopian future novel that has already largely come true. This book was not forgiving and will break your heart in many different ways. Truly she was a gifted author.

Brutal but brilliant sequel

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The constant swallowing sounds are off-putting and I found them annoying and gross although the narrator was good and the story INCREDIBLE

The story is amazing and the narration but…

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The story is great and so is the narration. However there is a significant flaw in the production: at the end of every chapter, as soon as the last word finishes, the next chapter immediately begins, without even a fraction of a second between one word and the next. This is quite jarring, because the chapters end in a way that invites contemplation, but the instantaneous jump to the next chapter prevents it. would be great if Audible could fix this -- it should be a simple fix!

Great story and performance, marred by one flaw

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