Kindred

by Octavia Butler, Octavia E. Butler
Kindred cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
Technical:
  • ID: 1576
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-10-11
  • Publisher: Beacon Press (MA)
  • Published: 1988-01-01
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 4
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99–£10.99

Dana, a young Black woman, finds herself repeatedly transported back to the antebellum South, where she must save the life of Rufus, a white plantation owner who is also her ancestor. Each visit becomes more harrowing as she becomes deeply entangled in the lives of the enslaved people on the plantation, confronting the brutal realities of slavery and her own complicated connection to the past. /n/nOctavia Butler's groundbreaking novel blends science fiction with historical fiction, exploring themes of race, power, and identity. The novel's unique narrative structure and unflinching portrayal of slavery make it a powerful and thought-provoking read.

Reviews
Grimdark Magazine · 2023-01-19
harrowing 4.50

The book is a harrowing tale that effectively highlights the impact of a country's history and generational trauma. It is praised for its brilliant storytelling.

This review emphasizes the book's ability to confront readers with the brutal realities of slavery and its lasting effects. The reviewer finds the narrative compelling and impactful, noting that the author's skillful writing makes the harrowing content bearable. They appreciate how the story forces readers to engage with difficult themes, making it a significant and thought-provoking read.

Quick quotes

    Kindred is a magnificent read.

    A harrowing, horrible tale told brilliantly to make a significant point about a country's history and the generational trauma.

    It's a book that demands to be read and discussed.

Kara Reviews · Kara Babcock · 2021-08-10
brilliant 5.00

The book is both discomforting and brilliant, admired for its intensity and standalone brilliance. The reviewer finds it energizing despite its challenging content.

Kara Babcock describes the book as discomforting yet brilliant, praising its intensity and the way it stands alone as a powerful work. They admire the author's ability to tackle difficult subjects with such skill and energy. While the content is challenging, the reviewer finds the book to be a masterful piece of literature that is well worth the emotional investment.

Quick quotes

    Discomforting in its intensity yet energizing in its brilliance.

    I admire it especially for being a discrete, standalone work.

    This is a book that demands to be read and discussed.

What Kate Read Next · 2020-08-10
powerful 4.00

The first-person perspective makes the story incredibly powerful and effective. The narrative is both intense and energizing.

The reviewer emphasizes the effectiveness of the first-person perspective in placing readers directly into the protagonist's shoes, making the experience deeply personal and impactful. They appreciate the book's intensity and brilliance, noting how it stands out as a discrete, standalone work. The narrative's ability to engage and challenge readers is particularly highlighted.

Quick quotes

    Through using the first-person perspective, Butler directly places the reader in Dana's shoes - it is so powerful and effective.

    Discomforting in its intensity yet energizing in its brilliance

    I admire it especially for being a discrete, standalone work.

Black and Bookish · 2018-11-07
haunting 3.50

The book is haunting and honest, but some aspects may be frustrating. The protagonist is loved, but certain elements are hard to reconcile.

This review acknowledges the book's haunting and honest portrayal of its themes, which makes it a memorable read. However, the reviewer also expresses moments of frustration, particularly with certain aspects of the narrative and character development. Despite these frustrations, the protagonist is praised for being well-developed and engaging, making the book a compelling, if challenging, read.

Quick quotes

    Kindred is haunting and honest

    I loved the character Dana but couldn't reconcile some of the ...

    It's a book I find difficult to recommend because it's filled with ugliness and brutality

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