My favorite author, Octavia E. Butler, passed away in February 2006, at the age of 58. She was only 58 years old and had many more years of her life left. Two of Butler's short stories, which were previously unpublished, have been gifted to her fans. These are both about women who must face a major turning point. One of the main characters is Tahneh, who is having dinner with her chief judge. She is a powerful being who is known to bring order to a community. The other main characters are also Haos.

In one of the oldest plots in the series, a young Hao arrives in town. He is a stranger to everyone, except for Diut, who is traveling with two high-bred companions. He must make a choice that will ensure his peoples survival. Butler went into too much detail about how the various characters behaved during the fight scenes, and the end lacked a clear direction. In this short story, Childfinder, we follow Barbara the Childfinder as she escapes an organization using telepathic people. She ends up in a black project where she is forced to work with kids. These two stories are examples of early work by Octavia E. Butler, and they are both beautiful and full of soul. Thank you, Subterranean Press, for the gifted copy via net galley.

This collection of previously released short stories by Octavia Butler should satisfy many of her fans. It is Octavia at her best.

Octavia Butler is an amazing writer, and that in and of itself makes the anticipation of these stories rather high. That said, I did not think that this was Butler at her finest. There was a bit of unevenness in the stories presented here for me. A Necessary Being feels very familiar, and is a powerful representation of Butler’s storytelling ability and voice. Childminder feels too short, though it is powerful in it’s own right. To me it felt a bit like this story was unfinished. As the title indicates, these stories were an unexpected posthumous find, and it is such a delight to get a glimpse into these works that were out of the public eye. 4.5 stars overall. I am glad to have these stories as a part of my Octavia Butler collection.

This is a thought-provoking pair of stories, at once bleak and optimistic--fitting for 2020, no? I will say, I found the first story to be much more compelling than the second; the second story was very brief, and while I appreciate the writing skill that went into it, I also felt a little lost by the end--I had more questions when I finished than I did when I began. (That first story though...wow. The color-changing people, the questions of loyalty and duty and love and strength, the idea of a whole society built in the ruins of past cities...I would love to see more from that universe!)

Overall, it's not up for question: Butler was a tremendously talented author, and I'm so glad that these old stories of hers are finally finding an audience. I truly think that now, with the state our world is currently in, is the perfect time for them to be read widely.

This book collects two previously unpublished stories by Octavia Butler. This was my first introduction to Octavia E. Butler and I really enjoyed both stories. "A Necessary Being" and "Childfinder" are very well written, the latter being a bit dark but still enjoyable. I look forward to more from this author.

An original and thought provoking looking into a great and interesting scifi mind. Too short in my opinion. But loved them just the same.

While the writing was very good, this book was not for me. This was more sci-fi than fiction and it didn't really stick with me. It was a good story. Two to be exact but I just couldn't connect with any of the characters. I have heard nothing but good things of this author so I will be checking out her other works for sure.

Two previously unpublished stories written by Octavia Butler. The first takes you on a journey to the Hao and their fight to survive. The second deals with psi children. Both stories give you a glimpse into the mind of Ms. Butler one of the most prolific science fiction writers in the world. I hope more works really found and published.

I like science fiction. A lot. So of course I’ve heard of Octavia Butler and of course I’ve been meaning to check out her work. This slender volume collecting two of her lesser known stories appeared on Netgalley and seemed like a perfect sampler size. Alas, size aside it might not have been the best introduction. Or maybe it is a perfectly adequate representation of Butler’s work and it just isn’t for me. The book features two stories, but the divide isn’t even, the first one takes up the bulk of the novel, over 2/3rds, and didn’t work for me at all. It was the sort of sci fi that read very much like high fantasy, a genre I don’t care for, and the entire thing left this reader completely indifferent. Not even sure I can give you an accurate plot description, blue people, tribal loyalties, something…honestly it faded as soon as it was read. The second shorter story did have the advantage of reading more like proper science fiction, a morality tale of the evils of both government based psi experimentation and racism. This one actually is one of Butler’s first sold stories 9albeit for an anthology that was never published), wherein the other one was shopped around briefly and then shelved and it’s easy to understand why. So then going by latter should give one more of an idea of Butler as a writer, she seems to have written a great deal on both psi experimentation and race. And yes, I can objectively understand how this is significant, especially for the time, and I can even objectively say the writing is fairly decent, but subjectively none of it really worked for me or interested me. It took maybe 90 minutes to read, but the main value was in just having finally read a name that’s supposed to be a genre classic and that just isn’t enough to merit the time. Thanks Netgalley.

Two previously unpublished stories from Butler, one about power relations in a species where dominance comes from skin color and seems to be at least partly biological (now I really want to know what Butler would have done with A/B/O), and a shorter one that was supposed to appear in the last Dangerous Visions anthology, which never appeared. That story is about telepaths and the racial divides that keep them from uniting despite what appears to be common interest. They are both very distinctively Butler stories.

An excellent pair of stories. The first story, "A Necessary Being," is a companion piece to the tragically out of print <i>Survivor</i> and explores complex power dynamics in the thought-provoking way I've come to expect from Butler's work. "Childfinder" is much darker and less hopeful, but creates a lasting impression. Highly recommended.

Received via NetGalley.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

When I saw that there was something available by Octavia Butler that I hadn't read, I jumped at the chance to request this book. It's short - one novella, one very short story - but I'll take what I can get!

The novella, A Necessary Being, is engrossing. Even in a short form, Ms. Butler creates a different world, with different cultures and subgroups, but it all makes sense. As always, her world building is wonderful - one can immediately grasp the structure of this other world. And, it's easy to relate to the dilemma faced by the main character and to root for her to resolve this.

The very short story, Childfinder, is also easy to follow, but much darker. I enjoyed reading it, but I was glad that this was the shorter of the two.

So, just a taste of Octavia Butler, leaving me wanting more. Sadly, I guess I'll have to re-read in order to satisfy this want.

<I>Thanks to NetGalley for a providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.</I>

This is not the first work that has been published posthumously that I have thought, "maybe there was a reason the author shelved this while they were alive."

While the basic ideas in both stories are interesting the world building in the main story makes very little sense and often contradicts itself and the writing style of both leaves the reader feeling unengaged.

"A Necessary Being" - this is the story that was shelved in the 70s by Butler and I think with good reason. and shows my main issue with publishing posthumously. Since the author has passed editing tends to be non-existent for the work and there were several parts of the story that desperately needed to be clarified by Butler for her ideas to be fully executed.

The main part of this story, that people are born with more blue or less blue skin did not make much sense. There were sections were the people were like chameleons who could blend fully into any surroundings - any colors - and then sections were those same people could only change the hue of the color they were born as. Since having blue skin is the most integral part of the story, not knowing which was the case for people greatly hindered the narrative.

Further, Butler kept using hue/color changes to denote emotional states, but she 1) never explained which colors meant what, and 2) was not consistent in her use of the color = emotion combinations the reader does mange to pick up on. Sometimes white meant, very specifically, agreement and sometimes white meant pleasure.

Last, even at the end of the story I was not sold on why having a Hao was so important to a tribe. Butler tries to tell you its because they are the best fighters, but then contradicts herself multiple times by having a Hao defeated over and over again. She even makes sure you know that, despite having a Hao being critical to the tribe, it gives them no real advantage over other tribes, even ones that lack a Hao.

Those issues might not have rated the two star rating on their own, but when combined with the almost list type writing style, it took me days to get through this ~60 page story.

As for the second story, "Childfinder," the story itself made more sense than "A Necessary Being" did, but it had the same problem with the writing style: A happened, then B, and then C. Summarize and reiterate exactly what each of those things mean. D happened, then E, and then F. Summarize and explain. Repeat.

Unexpected Stories by Octavia Butler is a science fiction short story collection that was previously published digitally and that Subterranean Press is reissuing in hard copy for the first time with new cover art. This edition features an introduction by contemporary speculative fiction writer, Nisi Shawl and an afterword by by Merrilee Heifetz, Butler's agent at the time of her sudden and untimely death.

Octavia Butler was a science fiction superstar and as such, it's no surprise that both short stories were excellently conceptualized. The first, "A Necessary Being," imagines a tribal land where the ruling caste is characterized by their vibrant blue skin, but whose population is so small tribes will go to extraordinary lengths to ensure they are ruled by a member of this caste, even if it means cruel subjugation. The second title, "Childfinder," follows a psionic woman whose special power is identifying pre-psionic children that may be nurtured into their full potential through to adulthood.

Both stories are published posthumously, and are therefore slightly less polished than if a full publishing process had been possible. "Childfinder" feels unfinished to me, but I loved the main character's voice; I was left wanting more of this story and sad that it's not possible.

Because this is somewhat of a reissue, I feel it necessary to review the content specific to this edition. Nisi Shawl's introduction was beautifully written and I enjoyed her anecdotal recount of Butler, as well as her musings on what Butler's fiction has meant to her own life and writing career. Heifetz's afterword is an upbeat recounting of how these short stories were unearthed from Butler's hoarded papers, and I found it entertaining. Disappointingly, I am not crazy about the cover design, especially considering the gorgeous covers Subterranean Press has created for other science fiction authors like N.K. Jemisin. The cover also doesn't relate to either story in any obvious way which makes me feel like the cover art wasn't created specifically for this volume.

Short Story Rating: 4.5 Stars
Edition Rating: 3.5 Stars

Unexpected Stories collects two previously unpublished short stories by Octavia Butler.

The first, titled “A Necessary Being,” takes place in a fantasy world in which leaders are biologically determined, whether they are willing or not. While the concept was interesting, I felt disconnected from the protagonists, and not invested in their story.

“Childfinder” is the second story, following a protagonist who specializes in finding children with special abilities. This was my favorite of Butler’s two stories, but it felt woefully short. I wanted to really know this world Butler offers a glimpse of, and read more about what happens to the protagonist and the children.

Overall, I had mixed/lukewarm feelings about the stories themselves, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading Butler’s earlier writing. The chance to read and understand the development of her writing style is something I recommend for fans of the long-reigning queen of speculative fiction.

Unexpected indeed. What a delight to get to dip back into the genius of Ms. Butler, long enough after her passing that the hope of new work wasn't a possibility I had considered. While these two stories aren't as ground breaking or startling as some of her more stand-out stories, it was excellent to read them. If you're already a fan of her work, you'll enjoy these. If you've never had the chance to read her, this isn't a bad place to start.

The first novella, A Necessary Being, felt whole and self contained. The second story, Childfinder, comissioned for a Harlan Ellison collection that was never published, felt worthy of an expansion into a novel or novellette. It left me hungry for more.

I'm grateful for all the folks who worked to make this possible, and to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read them.

I loved this, especially A Necessary Being. The style of it reminded me very much of Bloodchild. I wanted more, so I'll be going back to read more of her work now. Strange story, but at the same time, feels very familiar and almost possible.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Subterranean Press for sending me and ARC in exchange for an honest review! #UnexpectedStories #NetGalley #Subpress

This book is an actual treasure! Unexpected Stories consists of two never before published early stories by Octavia Butler, a beautiful foreword by Nisi Shawl, and an afterward by the executor of Butler's literary estate.

Nisi Shawl's introduction had me crying (I am a crier, and am not ashamed). She speaks about the power of Octavia's words, and about how the world we live in is hard, and not fair, but is also full of sweetness. Getting the gift of two stories by my favorite author, who shaped the landscape of speculative fiction at a fundamental level, is a moment of deep sweetness.

On to the stories!

I can't say much about the first, longer story, A Necessary Being, without spoilers. It is about two groups of people meeting in a rigidly hierarchical society, when both groups are fairly desperate. It seems that there is no possible outcome for this meeting that will be positive for both parties. And yet, they find a way. Showing my deep Star Trek nerdery: this story gave me Kobayashi Maru vibes, and it was a lovely reminder that even in the worst circumstance, hope is possible.

The Childfinder is about a society where some people have psychic abilities. There is an organizing body of Psys, and they are definitely nefarious. There is also only one person who can identify children with latent psychic powers, the narrator, who is trying to protect the children. This story engages with themes of race, oppression and resistance/liberation movements, and I was entirely enthralled, but it felt like it was a glimpse into a much larger world and I was startled when it ended. I wish there was more, but I'm so grateful that I got to read this much!

The book Unexpected Stories contains two short stories by Octavia Butler. The first story, "A Necessary Being", tells of the conflict within a tribe as a new potential leader from the outside is discovered. The tribe is divided up into caste systems and is struggling to survive when they receive a new hope for survival. The second story, "Childfinder", tells the story of a woman who helps to discover children with telepathic abilities while trying to protect them from a mysterious white organization. Both of these stories were interesting and quick to read. I liked the brief worldbuilding that each accomplished, especially with the elements of magical realism.

What a wonderful treat ... after all of these years of not anticipating a new Octavia Butler novel ... here we go, two unpublished gems to feast on. The novella, "A Necessary Being" ... two alien tribes in need of a leader... and somehow, find a workable solution to a seemingly insolvable dilemma ... and then the short story, "Childfinder" and uncovered nugget from Harlan Ellison's unpublished anthology: " Last Dangerous Visions " .... which explores the inner workings and dangers of a network of telepaths. I'd almost forgot the joy in reading Butler's fiction ... her elegant science fiction always transcended the genre. Her voice reached beyond alien cultures and space ships ... and, effortlessly explored race, love, hate, joy, injustice... as well as: privilege, oppression, and empathy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press (@SubPress) for providing an uncorrected electronic proof in exchange for an honest review. It was so nice to experience an unexpected visit from such a remarkable writer and woman. ( at. readersremains.com )