In Kindred we are introduced to an African American woman, Dana, from 1970s who is transported to beginning of 19th century in order to save the life of a son of a slaveowner and when her life is threatened she comes back to her own time. This keeps happening and she needs to find a way to survive in a world that doesn’t see her as a human being.

It is not an emotionally easy book to read. You are faced with the cruellest human behaviour imaginable. You are also faced with the characters that are too real at moments. And that is the beauty of her writing, in my opinion.

Fledgling follows the experiences of a young woman who wakes up in a cave in a forest with strange injuries – burns all over her body, her skull is cracked in several places and she has no memories. We see all this from her perspective. We see her try to wake up, attempt to regain strength, hunt and survive. Once she is feeling a little bit better she starts exploring her surroundings. She is saved by a young man and the two of them set out to explore what brought her there, where her family is, and most importantly who is she.

Butler succeeds in creating human beings, not characters right from the start in bother novels. I measure the success of an author at creating a hero/villain (?) by how much I want to just throw the book away and how often I catch myself yelling at the characters. And in these two novels and in the short stories I did that very often.

I see the reason why these two novels were included in the Library of America collection. They can be seen as two book ends of Butler's writing career. Kindred at the start of it and Fledgling at the end. Where Kindred talks about a woman who is aware of so much and is thrown among dangerous people in a dangerous time and she uses her knowledge to save herself, here we have a woman who is thrown into a dangerous situation with no memories. Two completely different characters who both need to find a way to survive, and survive they do. These books offer us a look into the psyche of a woman, a woman of colour in Kindred, and of an experiment, an experiment of colour in Fledgling. We also look at love connections, families, and the functioning of societies. All this in the guise of science fiction and fantasy. Wonderful reads and a writer I want to read more of.

This is a fabulous collection of Butler's work and every library should have a selection of her works since she is a groundbreaker in many rights. The story capture pain, heartbreak and sorrow but also give us a glimpse into hope, courage and bravery.

Kindred is one of my favorite books, so am excited to see a collection of Octavia Butler's stories about to hit the shelves. Definitely will be recommending this one to others!

This collection is a necessary and meaningful recognition of Octavia Butler's brilliance as an author. Reading Kindred nearly 20 years after I first read it, I recalled all over again what an education it was about life in the ante-bellum south. The complexity of human relationships within the plantation slave economy on a day-to-day basis is vividly depicted. Butler must have been an incredibly brave and resilient woman to take the journey she must have taken to write all those characters so sympathetically.

I remember liking Fledgling when I first read it but also being somewhat disappointed, having hoped for another novel along the lines of the Earthseed series. I enjoyed Fledgling much more this time, finding more layers in the symbiotic relationship, the mutualism of the humans and vampires. In the isolation here of 2020, where human contact and connection is so reduced, I was particularly struck by the emphasis on a relationship structure where no person, no being, could survive on their own. Survival literally depended on having several close relationships and on physically touching and being touched, not necessarily in a sexual way but in a way that lets others in, allows for casual, caring contact.

The short stories were a nice addition but the jewels in this Butler collection were hearing her own reflections on the writing of and meaning of those stories. Like the essays that were included, Butler's voice reflecting on her work adds a warmth that makes this feel like a personally curated selection of her stories. Truly an author we lost too soon.

Octavia E. Butler

This is an interesting compilation. It contains two entire novels - the first and last books she wrote and a series of short stories and essays on the art of writing. Butler is apparently a legend in the sci-fi community, her stories are a sort of blend of sci-fi, fantasy and horror - it’s an interesting combination of genres I don’t read very often.

I had, however, read Kindred before. It remains one of my favourite books. Dana, a 26 year old African American woman from 1976, is thrust back in time over and over to save the life of Rufus Weylin, the very white son of a Maryland plantation owner, so that he can go on and father her great-great grandmother. It is a very dangerous time and place for her, one which she has no training for and little understanding of. Although Rufus likes Dana and knows she is saving his life over and over he is still the product of his own upbringing. He is nice to her but cannot see her as anything other than a man’s property. This was nothing like any other slave memoirs or epics I’ve read or seen on film. It’s somehow more confronting in being told from the point of view of a modern black woman and poses the question of how easily can people be trained to accept slavery.

The last book Butler wrote, Fledgling, was completely different. This a vampire story but not the usual kind of vampire. These people (tall, thin, pale and fair haired) called Ina, live among humans and, although they do drink blood, they don’t generally kill and their human ‘blood donors’ choose to be with them in a mutually advantageous arrangement. The humans are called symbionts. Many reviewers in the past made a thing about the main character, Shori, looking pre-pubescent (even though she was 53) and feeling uncomfortable about that or how this story is a triumph for LGBTQI people. I have to say I didn’t take any of that from the story, I saw it as simply a celebration of diversity and acceptance and a more communal and different way of living. Apart from that, I was absolutely riveted by this tale told very convincingly from Shori’s POV after she awakes, in pain, injured and with no memory. She has to find her way in the world but there are forces arrayed against her as she is a unique genetic blend with black skin and the unique ability to withstand sunlight. She has to fight for right to live.

The short stories are all very different. Some appear almost normal and some really lay on the ‘ick’ factor. They are all Octavia E. Butler though - subtly exploring humanity and relationships in all the variations and forms. I highly recommend this to all readers. Huge thanks to Netgalley and the Library of America for providing me a copy to review. My opinions are my own.

Butler's writing is incisive and disquieting as always. She has an economical prose that has high emotional impact and an effortless flow. Shawl wrote a wonderful introduction, blending their personal experiences with Butler with their professional opinion of her writing. I enjoyed the chronology at the end of the book. Other than publications, it included incidents in Butler's personal life that impacted her writing, some of which I wouldn't have thought to include but appreciated nonetheless. The majority of the footnotes were useful in adding context on how Butler's life influenced her writing or explaining literary allusions, but some of them included definitions or other easily Google-able information. Kindred is a painful read but too important a book to ignore for those who are interested in the sci fi canon. It's a well-written exploration of slavery's impact on the present US that will leave you feeling like a thoroughly wrung sponge. Fledgling is a story of a young vampire who can withstand sunlight, and readers should be forewarned that it discusses pedophilia. The essays and afterwords for the short stories were invaluable in giving Butler's perspective on her process and writing. I would like to see more critical engagement with the story Speaking Sounds. I think the story's narrator has ableist ideas that the narrative doesn't complicate, and I think it weakened the story and even contradicted some of Butler's ideas about change. Overall, this is a great book for Butler aficionados, and the annotations and commentary merit reading this edition.

I read this as an introduction to Octavia Butler. I had somehow never read her work before. This was a wonderful introduction to an author who everyone should know about and who should be on those "read at least something by this author before you die" lists.

First, this is a tome. It includes two full length novels, a short story collection, and a collection of essays about writing as art and craft. I doubt all of these items will speak to one person, unless they are already in love with all things Octavia Butler. But it was a great introduction to her work that is able to display her range and imagination.

Kindred is her first, and most famous, novel. It is the least like what I think of as science fiction. A black woman is pulled back through time to save her ancestor, and her ancestors' enslaver, whenever he is near death. Short periods of time pass for the woman and her white husband, living in California in the 1970s, but years pass on the Maryland plantation she visits where her ancestors lived. Themes of race, identity, freedom, and enslavement are of course evident. But there is also exploration of fate, heritage, and how the past may wound the present. I wish I could have a literature class exploring this work alongside an American history course.

Next is Fledgling, Butler's last work. This is a vampire novel, but no one sparkles. They are all pale and almost all blonde though. Except our black protagonist, whose human, black, DNA provides advantages linked to natural selection for the Ina race. The book is entirely first person, and our protagonist is very likable. There is murder and conspiracy. There is a lot of sex and sexual-like interaction (the form the vampire biting takes here). It is easy to forget that our protagonist looks like a prepubescent girl, since she is actually 54, but that fact remains. There is much for the poly and LGBTQIA crowds here. And then there is a three day trial. There are questions of racism of course. With black and human being synonymous this also seeps into the ideas of what is "animal" and not. The Ina rely heavily on their sense of smell, reminiscent of animal predators, but humans are seen as the uncivilized animals here. Lots to pull apart, but had sections that were quite the slog for me.

The short stories come next. If you are also new to Octavia Butler, I think the best decision I made with this book was to start here. Dip a toe in at a time and go through time, space, and thoughts. These also have short notes from the author, so you get to know her a bit before the deep dive of the novels.

The essays are really meant for other writers or would be writers who need motivation or advice, I'm writing a dissertation, so take this with a large helping of salt, but I just did not find these helpful or something to relate to.

Overall, you should know who Octavia Butler is, and this is a great way to learn. It's huge and comprehensive, but organized in such a way that you can take it in portions if that suits you better. Just read it

Octavia Butler is a gift of a writer. Her prose is outstanding, her writing style unique. I really enjoyed this collection of stories.

Octavia E. Butler: Kindred, Fledgling, Collected Stories by Octavia E. Butler

It was after I read a review for Butler's story Kindred, that I found that I could read this book with several of Butler's novels, short stories, and essays. I was especially drawn to Kindred, the story of a black woman in 1974, who is whisked back to the early 1800s, whenever one of her white ancestors is in dire danger. After two such trips back in time, the third time Dana's white husband is pulled back in time with her, making things safer for Dana since now she has a white "overseer". Dana has to make sure some of the atrocities that happened to her ancestors happen again. If things don't happen as before, many people in the time onward won't exist. 

It's a very cruel situation and all Dana can do is try to change the attitude of her white ancestor, hoping to insert compassion and empathy into his already hardened and corrupted heart. We are there in the lives of the black slaves and free black people, people who can lose that freedom at the drop of a hat or the whim of a cruel white slave owner. This was my favorite story that I read in this book although it was strange reading something written in 1974, knowing that the wording would be different, if written in today's times. 

Fledgling is the story of a young black woman with amnesia. She discovers that she is a vampire and she's not alone. Because of her dark skin, she is able to be outside in the daylight so this gives us one of many new takes on vampire stories. This is only my second vampire story so I don't have much to compare it to but it's obvious that Shori and her black kind are unique in the world of vampires. 

All of Butler's work is interesting and this book led me to learn more about her through research of her history. Much of the work drew me in because I enjoy Sci Fi. Butler does a great job with this genre. 

Thank you to Library of America and NetGalley for this ARC.

Not surprisingly, a solid collection of stories from a well-respected author. Her talent shines brightly here, and this will likely appeal to most sci-fi fans, particularly those interested in stories dealing with racism. Recommended.

Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!

A huge thanks to NetGalley for sending these works by Octavia Butler!. I have read Parable of the Sower, but other than that, had not read anything else by the author. Because of this, I was extremely excited to discover how much I would enjoy some of her other works, and I was not disappointed! In fact, I enjoyed them so much that I have already ordered several more of her books!

It makes me so happy that Octavia Butler's works are being compiled in this amazing collection. I didn't know that she had so many short stories. I have been a huge fan since I read Kindred in college. What a great addition to a personal or public library. She is a master of science fiction, and I say that as a person who really only reads her science fiction. I highly recommend nd will be purchasing.

Octavia Butler has been on the top of my too read list for many years. I do not know why I hadn’t gotten round to reading her just yet, but I know that I couldn’t pass the opportunity when I saw this collection.
I have only read the two novels so far, but they pack quite a punch. I have to take a break from it to think, but I look forward to reading the short stories and the essays to better understand Ms Butler.
Her writing style is uniquely her own, drawing you in intimately through the thought and emotional process of the protagonist. The stories are very personal, exploring contradicting and difficult emotions, always making you face the power struggles of the world, advocating communication and making you horrifically aware of the barbaric injustices of the past and of today just because of a person’s skin colour.
I could not put down her books, and even though the pace was deceptively gentile, the tension was there to keep you wanting to know how it all ends.
In both Kindred and Fledgling the hero is a black woman, and her life being threatened arises directly from that. While Kindred is a time travel book (can you imagine the horror of being a modern dark skinned woman transported back to the slave period in America?), Fledgling is about the first darked skinned vampire thanks to genetic modification.
Both books deserve a lot of analysis and debate, but while Kindred was just plain amazing, I had a lot more trouble with Fledgling.
I can understand that Ms Butler wanted the most symbolically powerless form of person imaginable as a hero: a black female child with amnesia. And obviously she wanted to turn all the world’s prejudices on their head, giving that child power. Including sexual power. And that’s where I could not sit happily reading that book.
I know it is metaphorical, I know Shori is not meant to be human at all, but a vampire alien creature who has a different biology/needs/culture (which by the way is amazingly well created and believable), I know she is actually over 50 years old, but only a child in her species too and looks like a 10 year old human. And sexualising a child is monstrous.
That is the reason I do not know how to feel in general about Fledgling. So much of it is important in the xenophobia fighting front, and at the same time it builds and integrates in its storyline, and as a positive at that, something I am horrified with. Paedophilia is a horrendous crime still in existence, and not enough is done to fight it effectively. I am now the bearer of a terrible dilemma that right now I do not know how to deal with, and even after finishing the novel, and it’s powerful ending words, I cannot say if it was good or not. It aims, I’m sure, at making readers uncomfortable but I can’t help but think if could have been achieved in a little less shocking way. One that wouldn’t further hurt people that have been powerless victims too.
I don’t want to end the review that way. Because Kindred was excellent on all levels, and held some essential messages, but I feel a little sucker punched, and I think there should be a fair warning to any reader. I will keep reading the stories, but I do think I might need a little pondering before I can go on.

This is an essential volume in anyone's collection of speculative fiction. These are some of Butler's very best works, and also serve as an accessible entry into her writing. Kindred in particular should be on every high school reading list. I'm delighted to see this collection and hope that the rest of her books will receive the same treatment.

This is a collection of works from Octavia Butler, the "grand dame" of American fiction.

I've read Kindred before, and the previous exposure didn't lessen my fascination. The book really conveys, among many things, how dangerous time travel would be if you aren't a white man. It was a singular experience to reread it while votes were tabulated for the 2020 US election and we elected a woman of color as Vice President.

I struggled more with Fledgling, Butler's final novel. It's about a young vampire who has been genetically engineered with more melanin so she can withstand sunlight. It's a cool premise and a fascinating story about power in a very different way than Kindred, but there's an awfully squicky element that felt utterly superfluous. I really wish the editor had discussed this in the introduction and set in in context.

The essays and short stories that make up the rest of the book are stellar. I particularly enjoyed "Bloodchild" and "Speech Sounds", two of the finest science fiction stories I think I've ever read. As an unexpected treat, we have Butler's comments after each story that more information about the inspiration and her thought process.

Wow, I'd been meaning to read Kindred for years and it didn't disappoint. I sometimes have trouble with speculative fiction, but this time I couldn't stop once I started. Dana's journey is all the more harrowing for the realism and thoughtfulness with which it's portrayed, and the conceit never feels hokey or forced. This probably goes without saying given the subject matter, but if you hate to feel anxious for characters, this book really isn't for you. I will definitely be recommending this one to fans of Ursula LeGuin and Stephen King.

This collection is vibrant and essential, particularly in society now. Butler is a genius and deserves to be discovered, or re-discovered, by all.

This was an excellent collection of Octavia Butler works (see table of contents at the end of this review) and perfect for long time fans and readers new to Butler. Prior to reading this collection, I had only read "Parable of the Sower," though "Kindred" had long been on my TBR shelf. I felt as though I read the full range of Butler in this collection. I'll leave my full reviews of "Kindred" and "Fledgling" with their respective full titles, but know that both are masterful explorations of race, gender, and power dynamics with elements of science fiction. "Kindred" involves mysterious time travel, and "Fledgling" involves vampires. The short stories are all wonderful, and each felt like they were seedlings for full blown novels. I am in awe of Butler's creative and imaginative mind, from alien creatures to post-apocalyptic worlds to stories of cultural heritage and family and mind reading. And the essays were the icing on the cake! Reading the collection in exactly the order presented was absolutely PERFECT, and the essays brought full illumination to Butler's mind and interior workings. She actually mentions in one essay that short stories were always her least favorite to write, finding them difficult to separate from novel projects. She also provides "afterword" for each of the stories, further illuminating where the idea sparked from or what the story was actually about, not leaving it to critics to find something that might not be there. From her autobiographical essay, we learn that Butler has always been painfully shy, finding it difficult to gain a foothold in the world. She also struggled with writer's block at varying parts of her life, and poverty, working odd jobs to piece together a survival. The book is a must read for any fan of Science Fiction - her essay on race in the genre was brilliant! Especially in today's world of continued racial issues and the book world movement to bring writer's of color and diverse voices to the publishing world en masse. Her mind was such a powerhouse, and I feel so lucky to have been able to read this wonderful collection.

Titles included in this collection --
NOVELS:
Kindred
Fledgling

COLLECTED STORIES:
Childfinder
Crossover
Near of Kin Speech Sounds
Bloodchild
The Evening and the Morning and the Night
Amnesty
The Book of Martha

ESSAYS:
Lost Races of Science Fiction
Furor Scribendi
The Monophobic Response
Preface to Bloodchild and Other Stories

I’m so grateful that Octavia Butler has been getting her due lately and so sorry that all this recognition came after her death, as with many great women authors and Black artists. The juxtaposition of Fledgling, Kindred and these assorted short stories creates a rich discussion that will enrich any classroom. Thank you so much LOA and Netgally for the ARC.

I am so excited that i was able to get Octavia Butler's stories and i love her work.

This has Kindred, Fledgling and I believe 9 of her collected stories.

Each very different and unique. Fledgling being one of my favorites due to vampires but I know a lot of people love Kindred.

If you haven't read any of Octavias books, I strongly suggest you do