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What Members Thought
Well... This book was great, but horrifying.
The thing I kept thinking about as I read: how as the history of slavery persisted in our culture? How many ways do we continue to perpetuate the version of "white people are masters over black people" in our current society/economy/cultural identity? Certainly in our expectations of who a white or black person can become (careers, etc.). For example, the NFL and NBA have very much the same setup as slavery: white people "own" the teams, and black peop ...more
The thing I kept thinking about as I read: how as the history of slavery persisted in our culture? How many ways do we continue to perpetuate the version of "white people are masters over black people" in our current society/economy/cultural identity? Certainly in our expectations of who a white or black person can become (careers, etc.). For example, the NFL and NBA have very much the same setup as slavery: white people "own" the teams, and black peop ...more
I can't believe I'm just now getting around to reading this.
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A time-hopping first hand account of slavery, giving a perspective on what it really meant to be treated as an enslaved person and the effects of slavery. I like Octavia’s ideas a bit more than her writing style, which tends to be evenly paced without much slowing to really get descriptive details. A worthwhile read.
Astounding, and hard to put down, says after reading it I am still considering the literary implications of how the the characters related to each other and their times and environments. Despite the subject matter of slavery in the south, this book felt less depressing than I remember the parable books to be. It is heartwrenching, but with enough emotional complexity to make it feel like an honest exploration into life choices and relationships.
Super interesting and original plot, that engaged me from the beginning. Enjoyable and accessible writing style. Quick read!
Overall, I really liked the book, particularly the way Butler clearly illustrated a few social issues/constructs: how a similar incident can be seen differently by a white person and black person, due to different histories and privileges; and how people can be broken to accept a terrible situation, for example.
Overall, I really liked the book, particularly the way Butler clearly illustrated a few social issues/constructs: how a similar incident can be seen differently by a white person and black person, due to different histories and privileges; and how people can be broken to accept a terrible situation, for example.
I first read some of Octavia Butler's work relatively recently. And this is one of her earlier works. It is an Accra Book Club choice, and I enjoyed it. This time travel novel is a little different from many others, but it does work.
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It's an interesting story of a woman who travels back in time to save her ancestor every time he is in danger. She is an African American woman based in 1976 and her ancestor is a slave owner in antebellum Maryland.
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Dec 31, 2012
Danita
marked it as to-read
Apr 26, 2015
eloise
marked it as to-read
Jul 05, 2015
Sarah
added it
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review of another edition
Shelves:
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Jul 24, 2016
Cristella
marked it as to-read
Feb 07, 2017
Claire
marked it as to-read
Jul 22, 2017
ainsley
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Sep 05, 2017
Apeksha
marked it as to-read
Oct 29, 2017
Colleen
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Jan 07, 2018
Carrie
marked it as to-read
