Books

Beacon Press, 2004. Fine. From the New York Times bestselling author of Parable of the Sower and MacArthur "Genius" Grant, Nebula, and Hugo award winner The visionary time-travel classic whose Black female hero is pulled through time to face the horrors of American slavery and explores the impacts of racism, sexism, and white supremacy then and now. "I lost an arm on my last trip home. My left arm." Dana's torment begins when she suddenly vanishes on her 26th birthday from California, 1976, and is dragged through time to antebellum Maryland to rescue a boy named Rufus, heir to a slaveowner's plantation. She soon realizes the purpose of her summons to the past: protect Rufus to ensure his assault of her Black ancestor so that she may one day be born. As she endures the traumas of slavery and the soul-crushing normalization of savagery, Dana fights to keep her autonomy and return to the present. Blazing the trail for neo-slavery narratives like Colson Whitehead's The Underground…

"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.