Books

Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, Inc, 1979. First edition of Butler's classic bestselling novel. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, "To Steve Best wishes Octavia E. Butler." Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket illustration by Larry Schwinger. Jacket typography by Elizabeth Levine. First editions of this classic Butler novel are scarce, signed examples exceedingly so. In this spellbinding novel, Octavia E. Butler has written a closely observed, intensely felt account of a young black woman who is drawn irresistibly into her family's past. Superimposing a fully realized historical chronicle on the classic science fiction premise, Kindred explores the dynamics and dilemmas of antebellum slavery from the sensibility of a late 20th-century black woman who finds herself being shuttled through time, existing at times in her Los Angeles, California home, and at others on her ancestor's pre-Civil War Maryland…

"Kindred" by Octavia E. Butler is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that deftly combines elements of science fiction, historical fiction, and social commentary. Published in 1979, the book follows the journey of Dana, an African American woman living in 1970s California, who finds herself inexplicably transported back in time to antebellum Maryland. The novel opens with Dana and her husband, Kevin, moving into their new home. Suddenly, Dana is thrust back in time to a plantation in the early 19th century, where she saves a young white boy named Rufus from drowning. Through a series of inexplicable time-travel episodes, Dana realizes that Rufus is her ancestor, and her own survival is intricately tied to his. As Dana repeatedly finds herself pulled back to the plantation, she grapples with the harsh realities of slavery and the brutal treatment of African Americans. She is forced to confront the complexities of her own identity and navigate the treacherous dynamics of power and oppression in the antebellum South. Throughout the novel, Butler masterfully weaves together themes of race, power, and agency. Dana's interactions with Rufus, his family, and other slaves illuminate the pervasive injustices of slavery and the profound impact it has on individuals and communities. As Dana struggles to reconcile her modern sensibilities with the brutal realities of the past, she forms complicated relationships with the characters she encounters, including Rufus, his wife, Alice, and other slaves on the plantation. Through these relationships, Butler explores the complexities of human nature and the ways in which individuals navigate systems of power and oppression. "Kindred" is not only a gripping tale of time travel and survival but also a powerful exploration of history and its enduring legacy. Butler's vivid prose and meticulous attention to detail bring the antebellum South to life, immersing readers in its sights, sounds, and smells. At its core, "Kindred" is a story of resilience, survival, and the enduring power of the human spirit. Through Dana's harrowing journey, Butler invites readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the past and consider how they continue to shape the present. As a pioneering work of speculative fiction by a Black woman writer, "Kindred" remains a landmark achievement in the genre. Its enduring relevance and profound insights into race, identity, and history continue to captivate readers and spark important conversations about the legacies of slavery and the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.