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Parable of the Sower

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Parable of the Sower

By: Octavia E. Butler
Narrated by: Lynne Thigpen
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About this listen

Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author Octavia E. Butler paints a stunning portrait of an all-too-believable near future. As with Kindred and her other critically-acclaimed novels, Parable of the Sower skillfully combines startling visionary and socially realistic concepts.

God is change. That is the central truth of the Earthseed movement, whose unlikely prophet is 18-year-old Lauren Olamina. The young woman's diary entries tell the story of her life amid a violent 21st-century hell of walled neighborhoods and drug-crazed pyromaniacs - and reveal her evolving Earthseed philosophy. Against a backdrop of horror emerges a message of hope: if we are willing to embrace divine change, we will survive to fulfill our destiny among the stars.

For her elegant, literate works of science fiction, Octavia E. Butler has been compared to Toni Morrison and Ursula K. LeGuin. Narrator Lynne Thigpen's melodious voice will hold you spellbound throughout this compelling parable of modern society.

©1993 Octavia E. Butler (P)2000 Recorded Books, LLC
Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction Emotionally Gripping Heartfelt
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What listeners say about Parable of the Sower

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Surprisingly absorbing

At first it seemed not for me, but after the fist 15 min I was absolutely hooked.

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2 people found this helpful

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At once terrifying and inspiring

An incredible performance of an important piece of literature. Like bell hooks writing fiction. Was Octavia Butler into Alfred North Whitehead? God is change.

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Extraordinary story and well read

This is one of the most extraordinary stories. I’ve listened to in a very long time. It’s heartfelt, well considered, and deeply moving. It feels so possibly real and a potential future that we could face very soon. The characters are genuine and the wish for survival for the lead character drives the reader on wood. Can highly recommend this book. Although it can be tough to listen to their is an extraordinary amount of hope.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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The Unexpected

I loved the twists and turns. The love for humanity even in desperate times. I wanted more, I wanted to listen again, a sequel, continuation...

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Exceptional. Can’t believe I’ve not listened to it before!

What an excellent writer. This is the first book of hers I’ve ever read but it won’t be the last. She’s so bold yet so subtle in her storytelling. The plot rips along like a blockbuster movie but it never feels contrived or unrealistic. The characters are beautifully drawn and the themes are nuanced, yet it’s pretty shocking and terribly exciting. Don’t listen before bed! One of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to in a while. The only downside is the terrible cover, which nearly put me off buying it!

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Well told story with its feet grounded in past

Well told story with its feet grounded in past, but looking to a future that is not too far from happening.

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Beautiful story

This is an apocolyptic story of a young girl, personal and written with an incredible depth of thought of where our world might go one day in the not so near future. It has tragedy, tenderness, hope and promise delivered with a haunting reality. Gives one a lot to think about

I have am about to start Mrs Butler's Parable of Talents having just finished listening to this one. Can't wait.

The narration fit well with the subject and was pleasing in tone. Happily Recommended and am now a big fan of Octavia Butlers writing.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fantastic performance

Good though flawed writing. Amazing performance. Engaging and entertaining. The originality of the story wore off for me about half way through and the plotting became somewhat predictable. Reads a bit like the personal hero fantasy of the author.

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A prescient tale for our time!

Brilliant story, very thought provoking. It gave me lots to think about, and will be rattling around in my head for years to come.

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Heavy, hopeful, resilient.

What a book. Octavia Butler punches hard. The Parable of the Sower feels too real, almost palpable - maybe that's what makes it such a good book. The protagonist is likeable and easy to connect to, which is good because she is the driver. The characters that she meets along her hard road are sometimes complex and sometimes clear as day. The world is scary, desolate, real and haunting. Underneath the many layers of the story is a directional pull toward compassion and solidarity, after listening to this I am left with a feeling akin to a call to action - to be kind, to remember love and empathy as a way to survive the harshness of our very real, very scary world.

The book is well read, the voice actors narration is steady and easy to get along with, and I think, a nice voice.

Watch out, this book is brutal and not for the feint of heart!

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