Dawn (Xenogenesis, #1) in Overdue Podcast

Jan 24, 2024 Laurie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. A lot more alien-human sex than I anticipated.

This book really blew me away. I could barely put it down once I got into it. Because the premise is so ... unsettling.

It's no spoiler to say that the story begins after humanity has wiped itself out in an apocalyptic war. In fact, it's several centuries afterwards. The protagonist, Lilith, has been reconstituted centuries later in a cell on an alien spacecraft. She soon finds that she is a prisoner of the Oankali, a band of space vagabonds with a p A lot more alien-human sex than I anticipated.

This book really blew me away. I could barely put it down once I got into it. Because the premise is so ... unsettling.

It's no spoiler to say that the story begins after humanity has wiped itself out in an apocalyptic war. In fact, it's several centuries afterwards. The protagonist, Lilith, has been reconstituted centuries later in a cell on an alien spacecraft. She soon finds that she is a prisoner of the Oankali, a band of space vagabonds with a penchant for getting down with whoever they find. But not for pleasure (well, not only for that), but because this is how they evolve. They bring the genetic material of the species they find within themselves and change as a species overall. It's hardcoded into their DNA - it is who they are and how they progress.

What follows is a deep and involved story where themes of colonialism, freedom, power, hierarchy and gender are all broken down and discussed. And while you read it, you will find yourself confronting these questions yourself. Which is great, because it's what good literature does.

The Oankali have an unshakable certainty that Humanity was always, and is always, doomed to self-destruction due to hard-coded hierarchy within our species. This is Butlers' critique not just of humanity, but of gender and gender relations in the book. And it's fair enough. But because of this, they have sterilised all humans that they have reconstituted and woken up. And then it turns out that they want to breed with humanity, and this is the only way humanity will proceed. As a hybrid.

What is uncomfortable is the overtones of colonialism. The certainty of the coloniser that the heathen is doomed for self-destruction, is uncivilised, and must be saved - and their culture is not worth continuing. The overtone of assimilation by procreation of a colonised society is also there, with the Oankali insisting this is the only way that humanity has a chance of surviving in some way or form - simply continuing on as before is not an option.

The novel explores this in depth, as Lilith is broken/accepts a new role through bonding with her Oankali Nikanj. Nikanj ... we are not meant to like them, but to make our own mind up. And they are complicated, as is the relationship they form with Lilith. It's unsettling, the power dynamics are there, and one admires Lilith in how she balances how she is drawn to Nikanj (biochemical manipulation?) but also manipulates them to advance her own agenda.

The story explores her bond with Nikanj, her bond with a male partner, and her leadership of other awoken humans, and their reaction to the new situation. It explores the questions of hierarchy in humanity, and whether it is innate, how people would react, and ends with a colony on the earth's surface, where they can be free, but cannot reproduce. The horror of this kind of life is explored in the next novel.

In the end, I highly recommend this book. But damn, it'll sit with you.

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Feb 07, 2018 Caitlin rated it really liked it

well, that was bleak

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Nov 11, 2024 Marie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2024-faves

My first Octavia Butler, finally! I'm gonna need to sit with my feelings on this one for a while. But wow, I definitely get why Butler is so highly regarded. I will absolutely be continuing this series and reading more of her other works. ...more

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