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As I write this blog post, I’m reading the sequel (Parable of the Talents) to the acclaimed science fiction novel “Parable of the Sorrow” by the late novelist Octavia Butler. Parable of the Sorrow tells the story of Lauren Olamina, a young black woman who has a condition called hyper-empathy, a condition that causes her to feel the emotions of others. The story begins in dystopian 2024 (the novel was published in 1993) and readers are introduced to Lauren, her family, and the neighbors with whom she shares a thriving community within a Southern California cul-de-sac. Lauren’s father is a Baptist pastor and college professor, and her stepmother Corey is a neighborhood school teacher. That said, her upbringing was stable, and the community that her family established lives peacefully and respects one another’s boundaries. However, outside their neighborhood walls, many threats lurk and would do anything to terrorize their solace. Specifically, an onslaught of criminals high on a drug called “Pyro” which makes the user commit arson is the first of many dangerous foes Lauren and her community have to protect themselves against. As the story progresses, her upset father initially thwarts Lauren’s plans to escape up north with her family of survivors. Although he taught his daughter and her four brothers firearms self-defense, he wants to stop her from influencing others on a futile journey that could get them killed. She employs and adheres to her message called Earthseed, which is her religion that emphasizes the importance of change. Earthseed is her compass and a crucial aspect of the story because it’s at the core of all the events that transpire.
As with any first-person narrative, a strong character’s voice and purpose are essential in capturing the reader’s attention and maintaining engagement and interest. With this in mind, Lauren Olamina is an unusual protagonist, but I don’t consider what makes her unusual a flaw or something that would make her incapable of achieving her goals. It makes her character endearing because she was born with a condition (hyper empathy because of her mother’s drug abuse) that gives her insight into people’s emotions on a visceral level who are doubtful about their beliefs and themselves, suffering, or lost on which direction to take to attain fulfillment. Furthermore, Lauren demonstrates leadership qualities and galvanizes her community, all thanks to being raised by a Baptist pastor. However, as with every leader, conflicts and opposition from members are inevitable. And her father’s pessimism about Earthseed was the first obstacle she had to overcome. She keeps a journal and develops a central doctrine that God is change and cannot be resisted, but God can be influenced. The book begins with this statement. Lauren reiterates this statement and her presence is significantly felt by everyone she encounters throughout her journey to spread the message of Earthseed. In other words, the declaration that God is change and change is necessary encapsulates the entire novel.
My review of the book
Parable of the Sorrow is a well-written novel, and I truly enjoyed the format Octavia Butler used to tell Lauren’s story, specifically in journal entries. That said, it felt “intrusive” reading her journals, which begin in 2024 and end in 2027. Most of us would agree that personal journals are private, but it made the reading experience pleasurable and easy because I could keep up with the pacing of Lauren’s narrative voice and she conveyed scenes with precision. To put it in another way, Butler’s prose is lean, and she avoided the usage of flowery prose, which I appreciated because it’s something I find unappealing and contrived. In addition, I finished this book expeditiously compared to the other novels I’ve read because of what I previously stated; the character’s voice, Butler’s writing style, and narrative structure. Overall, this is a wonderful tale of survival, unity, perseverance, bravery, and acceptance in becoming a conduit of change. Equally important, the story’s pacing slowed towards the end, but that is understandable because Lauren and her group of survivors were no longer fleeing and found stability and safety once they reached their destination. We’re all adults here, but I still want to mention to readers that this book has some explicit content that depicts violence, suggestive themes, sexual violence, climate distress, and once anarchy ensues in Lauren’s area, a plethora of other crimes are committed. In closing, this novel isn’t “preachy” with its message of “change and God”, but someone might perceive it that way. If you read this book objectively, you’ll notice that Lauren’s doctrine is about how we should strive to center our efforts on the betterment of humanity, how we change everything we touch, and how its effects change us. We are all “agents of change” but only those who are resilient and adaptable can survive and thrive. By the same token, once we give our undivided attention and emphasize the importance of making the right changes that will positively grow our spirits, we can change and give knowledge to whoever is open to join us in elevating towards a goal of prosperity. Change is malleable and we can direct it to shape our future as long as we remain determined and patient with ourselves. Awareness manifests renewal, and Lauren remains keen on that notion throughout the novel. Parable of the Sorrow is an engrossing, poignant, and riveting tale that is haunting in the sense that it predicts almost perfectly the dismantling of our society and its duality, particularly the United States.
My rating for the book is 4.3/5
Grade: A-
- This novel is among a list of outstanding books that were banned in 2021 and 2022. To learn more about these books, please click on the URL link below.
- https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/books/g45307915/banned-books-to-read/
Real Free - Flowing Words 