Review: Wild Seed by Octavia Butler and a
Title: Wild Seed
Author: Butler, Octavia
Length: 320 pages
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher / Year: Open Road Media / Originally published in 1980
Source: Amazon Kindle store
Rating: 5/5
Why I Read It: For the More Diverse Universe week.
Date Read: 14/09/12
Doro is a being who steals the skin of others as he kills them, living in their body. He is immortal and has been working with his seed villages to breed a people with special abilities who might some day become better companions for him. Anyanwu also has special talents, and while younger also appears to be immortal. She can heal herself and others and is a shapeshifter. When the two meet, Doro first wants to use her to strengthen his stock – but Anyanwu cares deeply about her community and family and doesn’t take kindly to being used.
Through these two main characters, Butler examines many issues surrounding race, gender, and sexuality. She tackles issues like race, sexuality, and gender through the fluid gender of the two main characters, who can take on the appearance or body of anyone. Doro, for example, switches easily between the bodies of others no matter their skin colour – Anyanwu can shapeshift or change her appearance at will but prefers to stay as she is as much as possible, showing a sense of pride over who she is and how she was raised. Through these, we see how different the characters are treated based on what they look like, examining racial prejudices. Her adherence to cultural traditions with which she was raised showed a way of remembering roots despite migrations, so common in our world today.
Butler is a superb writer, the dialogue, the descriptions, the events, all were well written. The first book I read by Butler, Fledgling, examined interesting aspects of sexuality and sex as the main character seems much younger than she is. In this book Butler again examines taboo and difficult topics regarding sex via the incest Doro practices in his seed villages. Through these Butler forces the mind to understand how norms differ throughout societies and cultures, but also just makes the reader on their toes. She is certainly not willing to avoid difficult topics.
Really interesting and fascinating read, I look forward to reading more Butler in the months ahead. She’s an author that keeps me thinking and explores really interesting topics in engaging ways. Her explorations of gender and race especially will keep me coming back for more.
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Years and years ago I read Butler’s Patternmaster series. I do remember her as being a really good writer who created very imaginative science fiction.
Science fiction is a genre to examine issues such as race, gender stereotypes, etc. This one sounds very good,
She is definitely great Brian, I love sf authors who do tackle those issues.
I’ve been reading so many positive things about Butler’s writing. It sounds like this is another book to add to my tbr list.
She really is an author worth reading Vasilly, I would recommend her!
Yes. I totally agree with you. Butler is amazing and some to read more from.
Glad to hear it mdbrady!
I think I might have to go and read all of Butler’s works as I’ve heard so many good things about her books. I’ve read 2 so far, and they have been amazing – Kindred & Parable of the Sower.
I really enjoyed Kindred as well Tanya, and yep, I want to read everything that she’s written too!
Interesting
It is readinpleasure
I have never read any Butler, but from what I’ve seen, you are right on target that she often dissects very difficult topics in her books. I might have to see if I can get this one, as it sounds fascinating, and you’ve done a great job with the review. My interest is piqued very sharply now, and I am thinking that I need to grab this one. Very interesting and open review today, Amy. I liked it a great deal.
Thanks a lot zibilee. Hope you enjoy it if you pick it up.
Oh I really must read some Butler. The more reviews of her work I read the more I want to.
You really must fence
I hope you enjoy her works as much as I am.
This book does sound fascinating! I haven’t read any book by Butler yet, but all her books sound fabulous and must-read.
They have been so far for me Athira. I look forward to reading more.
So many Butler reviews for the tour! It’s making me feel bad about letting one of her books languish in my TBR for years.
Heh always the way it goes isn’t it Liviania. Hope you enjoy it when you get to it.
I’ve only read her famous Kindred. Was surprised at how she approached race/gender/etc issues without been preachy, which was a risk with that plot. From your review it seems that it’s a common trait of all her books.
It does seem to be a common trait Alex, which is exciting as she has written quite a few books to keep me busy reading
I read this one a few years ago and absolutely loved her portrayal of gender and race dynamics and the way in which she uses the speculative to turn it all on its head. My only complaint is that at times it feels like she is trying to do too much in one short book.
There was a lot going on so I can see that Bina. Glad you enjoyed it as well though.
I can’t believe I’ve never managed to read Butler, as she brings together so many things I love. I’m definitely putting this one on my list!
I hope you love it nomadreader!