Questions About Parable of the Sower (Earthseed, #1)

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Answered Questions (13)

This book reminds me of what is happening in our society in 2015. With Donald Trump's rise in the polls and the Black Lives Matter movement, I see alot of simularities. What do you think?

Charles Sheehan I come from the future. He won. It's four months into the Trump presidency. It's worse than you could imagine. Leave now. …moreI come from the future. He won. It's four months into the Trump presidency. It's worse than you could imagine. Leave now. (less)

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I am in the middle of this book and it seems riddled with typos, incorrect words in sentences, unmatched or just randomly placed quotation marks. I have the first edition. I have heard good things about this author, but this is driving me crazy. Is it just the first edition that was poorly edited or are all of her works like this?

Val Kay It's the character’s writing. Octavia E. Butler's works are wonderful, unique, and certainly transcending. Her other works are written well. I’ve read…moreIt's the character’s writing. Octavia E. Butler's works are wonderful, unique, and certainly transcending. Her other works are written well. I’ve read most all of her books. I studied her in college. This woman’s stories should be required reading in schools. Learn about the author. Watch some of her interviews. This woman has contributed to the human race tremendously, and helped me to look through a different lens. Exactly what a story should do -- take me somewhere else, and suspend my disbelief. (less)

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I thank anyone who has given an unbiased opinion on this book since I heard that it is a good read. The other "questions" that are just negative remarks about Donald Trump I wish would be limited as this is supposed to be about the book. Queries about the writing style, author, and the such would be much more helpful. My question is, do you ask politically motivated questions about all items non-political?

Mariana Lopes If you think this book, and inquiries about it, should be limited to non-political, then you aren't reading it with a critical mindset. How can a dyst…moreIf you think this book, and inquiries about it, should be limited to non-political, then you aren't reading it with a critical mindset. How can a dystopian science fiction novel about a young black girl in America be assessed purely non-politically? What is the point of reading it, in that case? (less)

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Parental rating? Also, does the main character feel the pain of others in a strictly empathetic way or is it a superhuman quality?

John Marshall This book has sex and violence, and depictions of gore and human misery, but no bad language or particularly bawdy content. It's probably suitable for…moreThis book has sex and violence, and depictions of gore and human misery, but no bad language or particularly bawdy content. It's probably suitable for older teens, especially ones with a strong stomach. Ones around Lauren Olamina's age (18 or 19).

As for her "hyperempathy," it's a physical condition that makes her feel pain she sees in others. She can bleed if she sees other people bleeding, her leg feels broken if she sees a broken leg, and she feels a gunshot wound even if she was the one who took the shot. She's not actually injured or harmed by it, but it can be debilitating. It's not really a moral imperative of her's; she has to consciously repress it, most times. It separates her from others, and makes it difficult for her to commit violence, even in self-defense.(less)

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How heavy is the presence of religion (or specifically Christianity) in this book? I'm craving a good speculative fiction, one that especially echoes what's going on today, but if it has a huge Christian influence I want to avoid it.