Anyone Ever Read Octavia Butler's Xenogenesis?

[Bianca_Sommerland]

When I was a preteen it was my absolute favourite book. Since then I can still say it's right up there, but going to a book store to ask if it's in stock usually gets me a blank look and a "How do you spell that?"

Recently I decided I wanted a copy of that book again, I lost the other in a basement flood. So I looked it up. Turns out, the name's been changed. It's now called Lilith's Brood.

While searching I found some interesting reviews that wouldn't have meant much to me as a child--I was pretty colorblind and was fortunate to know many people who didn't acknowledge any differences and had never dealt with any prejudism. Now, reading the review and knowing more then I did then I found the deeper views compelling.

Probably doesn't mean anything to some people but I figured I'd share.

Octavia Butler’s Xenogenesis Trilogy: A Biologist’s Response
by Joan Slonczewski, presented at SFRA, Cleveland, June 30, 2000


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Octavia E. Butler’s novels share with readers her extraordinary vision of what it means to be "other," based on intelligent biological speculation. Her Xenogenesis trilogy, now retitled Lilith’s Brood for reissue by Warner, creates a stunningly vision of abduction and seduction by an alien species. This vision is presented in terms remarkably consistent with modern molecular biology, even predicting developments that have occurred since the novels were written.

As the trilogy’s first book, Dawn, opens, the human race has nearly destroyed itself by nuclear war--"humanicide," as Butler calls it--a fate that seemed all too plausible in the eighties, when the book was written, and that remains a distinct possibility if the effects of humanity on our environment are not reversed. The few humans who survive the war are rescued and captured by the Oankali, a nomadic alien species that travels through the universe seeking partner species with whom to "trade" their own genes. The story is told from the viewpoint of Lilith Iyapo, a human woman whom the Oankali adopt into their family and try to enlist in recruiting other humans. Lilith is torn between accepting the medical enhancements and the sexual advances of her captors while trying to help other humans escape.

Unlike the vast majority of alien abduction tales, Dawn actually presents a biologically plausible explanation for why the Oankali need to interbreed with humans--despite their own abhorrence for the human race, which to them appears monstrous for its combination of high intelligence and self-destructive violence, the "human contradiction." The Oankali have evolved specialized organs and subcellular structures which manipulate their own genes to maximize fitness in their environment, a self-sustaining starship which is itself a living organism. Paradoxically, because the Oankali are such successful genetic engineers, they tend to engineer themselves into an evolutionary dead end; losing all genetic diversity, they lose the ability to adapt to change. The only way they can recover genetic diversity is to interbreed with an entirely new species, which contributes new genetic strengths--and weaknesses.

the rest of the review is here for those that are interested http://biology.kenyon.edu/slonc/books/butler1.html

Something else I read really struck me. Octavia had to make her human character's white for the cover. I was surprised. The book came out in the late eighties!

Anyway great lady, great writer. If you like sci-fi and haven't read it then you should.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

You know, I think I just might. I was a SF bug from away back. Today, there isn't much being written. Instead it's all sword and sorcery, or as I like to call it, thuggery and wishful thinking. This looks intriguing.

 

[Bianca_Sommerland]

You know, I think I just might. I was a SF bug from away back. Today, there isn't much being written. Instead it's all sword and sorcery, or as I like to call it, thuggery and wishful thinking. This looks intriguing.

The character developement is awesome! If you do read it, let me know what you think

I like a little sword and sorcery myself, but once in awhile I like something with a bit more depth.

 

[Dragonlipz]

Yes I have read it along with nearly every other thing she ever published.....very accomplished and insightful writer.....I met her a few years ago in a bookstore (RIP) - had a nice spirited exchange and a latte'.....but this is Seattle........

 

[Stella_Omega]

You've reminded me to order these books! I remember hearing "Xenogenesis" and didn't connect it with "Lilith's Children." The series is getting some rave reveus amongst the SF-F bloggers I read.

 

[Bianca_Sommerland]

Yes I have read it along with nearly every other thing she ever published.....very accomplished and insightful writer.....I met her a few years ago in a bookstore (RIP) - had a nice spirited exchange and a latte'.....but this is Seattle........

You're lucky. I wish I'd had the chance. Which was your favorite of the triligy? I liked the second part...I forget what it's called...

 

[Bianca_Sommerland]

You've reminded me to order these books! I remember hearing "Xenogenesis" and didn't connect it with "Lilith's Children." The series is getting some rave reveus amongst the SF-F bloggers I read.

Glad I could help! I'm thinking I can get the book now that I know its new title. I wonder if the cover's been changed.

 

[Dragonlipz]

You're lucky. I wish I'd had the chance. Which was your favorite of the triligy? I liked the second part...I forget what it's called...

The second book title is 'Adulthood Rites'.....I've read the series twice and after having spoken to her - she was a little shy (flattered to be recognized) but quite approachable and honest - I realize that it, like all of her work, reflects her experience on this planet as the person she was....
As authors we invest our work with our own experiences, wisdom and prejudices......we're only human.....

 

[R. Richard]

The character developement is awesome! If you do read it, let me know what you think

I like a little sword and sorcery myself, but once in awhile I like something with a bit more depth.

Shameless self plug:
My scifi series Second Chance has continuing character development, as the protagonist is essentially immortal and is in the process of evolving from a bitter, outcast 71-year-old man who has become the King of four countries, mainly by [literally] sword and science. He develops, based in part on the abuse he suffered in his first life, due to the resposiblities he assumes as the King of subjects who need jobs and learning to reach their potential. He has to keep developing, because numerous governments want to kill him, mainly out of concern that he will take over their operations. As he manages to convert the people of a country to his [changing] point of view, there are new governemtns who then want to kill him. Character development the series got, also intelligent action. Try it, you'll like it!