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Parable of the talents : a novel -
Octavia E. Butler.
New York : Seven Stories Press, c1998.
365 p. ; 24 cm.
Annotations:
- Sequel to: Parable of the sower.
Reviews:
- Mary B. McCarthy (VOYA, December 1999 (Vol. 22, No. 5))
In the startling Parable of the Sower (Seven Stories Press, 1993), readers were shown a violent, intolerant United States, torn apart by its diversity and fallen to the powers of Canada, Germany, and Japan. In this chaos, a young woman named Lauren Olamina attempted to survive and find followers for her new religion, Earthseed. Now Olamina's life is continued, and the Earthseed compound is destroyed by violent Christian America henchmen, and the young couple's daughter is kidnapped. The daughter, Asha Vere, was taken from her parents, raised by unloving adoptive parents, and taught that Earthseed was the product of a deranged mind. As Olamina investigates her origins, she learns more of her complicated past. Told through the journal entries of Olamina, Asha Vere, and several others, the story is a fascinating mix of each person's view of right and wrong. There is the complex, intriguing examination of the relationship between a mother and daughter, separated early, who only knew each other briefly as adults. It is also a strongly moral tale of the dangers of intolerance. The original Parable of the Sower emphasizes the importance of utilizing our gifts to the best of our abilities. We have been given talents, and we are obligated to do our utmost to develop them. How these characters choose to develop their talents, and how others perceive what they accomplish makes this book a thought-provoking read. Its language and violent sexual content may limit it to older YA readers. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P S A/YA (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult-marketed book recommended for Young Adults). 1998, Seven Stories Press, 366p, $24.95. Ages 15 to Adult. Subjects:
- Young women Fiction.
Twenty-first century Fiction.
Political fiction.
Science fiction.
| Language | Call Number | LCCN | Dewey Decimal | ISBN/ISSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English (eng) | PS3552.U827 P38 1998 |
98035863 |
813/.54 |
1888363819 (cl) 9781888363814 |