Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Octavia E. Butler 1947-2006
Others have passed in recent months that I have not taken the time to acknowledge here on my blog. I could not refrain from writing this blog for I'd have to say my favorite writer Octavia Butler.
I think it was Nappy that introduced me to her. A rarity in her own right. See us black folks are not kno to be connoisseurs of Science fiction. Which is a stereo typical fallacy. My father is one of the biggest Sci-Fi buffs. I spent many days as a child watching Dr. Who and my folks always took me sci-fi flicks. The first movies I remember pre 5 yrs old were the first Star Wars and get this, Alien (not such a fond memory). So when Nappy introduced me Octavia's work I was primed and ready for such a perspective.
The first book I read was "Wildseed" of the patternist series. I actually read that series in the opposite chronology than it was written.
It is an epic story of the struggle between a man and a woman that transcends the plains of Africa, the slave trade New America and the cultivation of a master race (for lack of better words). This by far is my favorite book. I was captivated by it's cover art and very much was inspired to read this book because of its cover.
I've read all of the patternist series, quite a few of her short stories, Parable of he Sower, Parable of the Talents and Kindred (which is strikingly similar to the indy film Sankofa). I have love Octavia's work for years and have even reread my favorites several times. Initially I didn't see her as a science fiction writer because her stories and books (that I had read) were woven with all kind of things about black folks that seemed more natural than science fiction to me. I guess in my own mind I had been convinced that there was no place in science fiction for blackfolks and her work shook that very perception..
I remember when I heard she was doing a book signing/reading a Brooklyn bookstore Talib had saved from going under which is known for it's . At the drop of a dime I was there. I was surprised to see a very non-descript woman with a soft voice and a shy presence. When she signed my book I cn remember her asking me if I was a writer. "A writer? Yes." I replied. She asked, "Are you published?" "No." (I wasn't at the time) She told me to keep writing and to get published, that there was no reason for me to not be published. I think to some extent her whisper is always in the back of my mind to continue writing even during the days I have little to no confidence in my writing.
I am greatly saddened by the news that Octavia has passed. I think of all the stories we will never know. But I am thankful for the ones she has left us with as well as the fact that she has broadened the perspective of many through her work and talents.
I will be looking for her last work "Fledgling" and I'll continue to revisit my favorites and might actually attempt to tackle the one series I have never read, Xenogenesis.
Here's a list of her works if anyone is interested.
Xenogenesis Trilogy
Dawn (1987)
Adulthood Rites (1988)
Imago (1989)
trilogy republished as: Lilith's Brood (2000)
Patternist
Wild Seed (1980)
Mind of My Mind (1977)
Patternmaster (1976)
Clay's Ark (1984)
Survivor (1978)
Kindred (1979)
Parable
Parable of the Sower (1994) (nominated for a Nebula in 1994-95)
Parable of the Talents (1998)
Bloodchild and Other Stories.
(Four Walls Eight Windows: New York, London, 1995).
Includes Preface, "Bloodchild" (1984);
"The Evening and the Morning and the Night" (1987 / 1988);
"Near of Kin" (1979);
"Speech Sounds" (1983);
"Crossover" (1971); and two essays:
"Positive Obsession" (1989, as "Birth of a Writer");
"Furor Scribendi" (1993).
in.memoriam.
Others have passed in recent months that I have not taken the time to acknowledge here on my blog. I could not refrain from writing this blog for I'd have to say my favorite writer Octavia Butler.
I think it was Nappy that introduced me to her. A rarity in her own right. See us black folks are not kno to be connoisseurs of Science fiction. Which is a stereo typical fallacy. My father is one of the biggest Sci-Fi buffs. I spent many days as a child watching Dr. Who and my folks always took me sci-fi flicks. The first movies I remember pre 5 yrs old were the first Star Wars and get this, Alien (not such a fond memory). So when Nappy introduced me Octavia's work I was primed and ready for such a perspective.
The first book I read was "Wildseed" of the patternist series. I actually read that series in the opposite chronology than it was written.
It is an epic story of the struggle between a man and a woman that transcends the plains of Africa, the slave trade New America and the cultivation of a master race (for lack of better words). This by far is my favorite book. I was captivated by it's cover art and very much was inspired to read this book because of its cover.
I've read all of the patternist series, quite a few of her short stories, Parable of he Sower, Parable of the Talents and Kindred (which is strikingly similar to the indy film Sankofa). I have love Octavia's work for years and have even reread my favorites several times. Initially I didn't see her as a science fiction writer because her stories and books (that I had read) were woven with all kind of things about black folks that seemed more natural than science fiction to me. I guess in my own mind I had been convinced that there was no place in science fiction for blackfolks and her work shook that very perception..
I remember when I heard she was doing a book signing/reading a Brooklyn bookstore Talib had saved from going under which is known for it's . At the drop of a dime I was there. I was surprised to see a very non-descript woman with a soft voice and a shy presence. When she signed my book I cn remember her asking me if I was a writer. "A writer? Yes." I replied. She asked, "Are you published?" "No." (I wasn't at the time) She told me to keep writing and to get published, that there was no reason for me to not be published. I think to some extent her whisper is always in the back of my mind to continue writing even during the days I have little to no confidence in my writing.
I am greatly saddened by the news that Octavia has passed. I think of all the stories we will never know. But I am thankful for the ones she has left us with as well as the fact that she has broadened the perspective of many through her work and talents.
I will be looking for her last work "Fledgling" and I'll continue to revisit my favorites and might actually attempt to tackle the one series I have never read, Xenogenesis.
Here's a list of her works if anyone is interested.
Xenogenesis Trilogy
Dawn (1987)
Adulthood Rites (1988)
Imago (1989)
trilogy republished as: Lilith's Brood (2000)
Patternist
Wild Seed (1980)
Mind of My Mind (1977)
Patternmaster (1976)
Clay's Ark (1984)
Survivor (1978)
Kindred (1979)
Parable
Parable of the Sower (1994) (nominated for a Nebula in 1994-95)
Parable of the Talents (1998)
Bloodchild and Other Stories.
(Four Walls Eight Windows: New York, London, 1995).
Includes Preface, "Bloodchild" (1984);
"The Evening and the Morning and the Night" (1987 / 1988);
"Near of Kin" (1979);
"Speech Sounds" (1983);
"Crossover" (1971); and two essays:
"Positive Obsession" (1989, as "Birth of a Writer");
"Furor Scribendi" (1993).
in.memoriam.
