lambchops's Full Review: Octavia E. Butler - Parable of the Talents
Octavia Butler’s most recent epic story revolves around the life, love, family, and journey of one gifted woman named Lauren Olamina. In the novel Parable of the Sower, Lauren learns to both deal with and survive the death and subsequent destruction of the world as we now know it all while living with empathic abilities.
Olamina (as she comes to be known by friends and lovers alike) proves to be a strong woman with strong ideals as reflected in her vision of Earthseed. Earthseed is a religion she has since birth philosophized about that revolves around the concept of change. Nothing comes easy to young Olamina but in the course of her physical journey, she manages to scrounge up a group of dedicated friends and followers.
Her story continues in the second novel in the series, Parable of the Talents (2000) approaches story telling in much the same manner. But whereas Parable of the Sower was in diary format and also “real time,” the newer volume is read from the perspective of Olamina’s daughter, Larkin or Asha (depending on what perspective you see the story from).
Parable of the Talents picks up basically where Parable of the Sower left off. Olamina has settled on her husband’s land with her ever-burgeoning group of travelers and survivors. The community, named Acorn, is full of a hard working group of individuals all content in their lives, happy with one another, and willing to struggle if that is what is best for the community. But of course, this small utopia cannot survive in a land swept by violence, cannibalism, hate, and religious zealots. What comes to pass to the people of Acorn is nothing short of an atrocity.
The novel is told from different perspectives. First of course comes via the diary of Olamina. But more interestingly comes from the dissenting voice of the adult Larkin/Asha. This daughter of Olamina comes to despise her mother. She believes Olamina to be the power-hungry leader of a strange cult of people. Larkin/Asha also chastises her mother for not doing enough to save her and to search her out from her uncaring adopted parents. It really is an interesting dichotomy, especially coming on the heels of the singular view of Parable of the Sower. I want to love and appreciate Olamina, but yet her own daughter punches holes in her theories. So who is in the right? Who is to say, except for talented author Octavia Butler.
Parable of the Talents is an exceptionally bleak novel. Its predecessor is dark, this is pitiful and sad. The world could have been on an upswing had it not been for the takeover of a sect of fundamentalists (who call themselves Christian American or “CA” for short) seek to destroy every other belief system. The steal children, and reeducate them to be little Christian soldiers. Adults on the other hand are subjected to slavery as they aren’t likely candidates for reeducation. Even the newly elected President Jarrett is of this leaning…and in on the abductions and slavery. The world of this post-pox near future is darkening. It is a sad, sad vision that seems all too realistic.
Octavia Butler’s novel is one that addresses a number of issues including intolerance, hate, and political agendas. But it is her writing style that is most remarkable. Butler’s concepts are entertaining and her words are poignant. In this near-future, the world has digressed into chaos. But her sense of chaos isn’t outlandish or strange or peppered with nuke mutants. Her idea of chaos is much more organic and real. And to be honest it scares the stuffin’ out of me. Parable of the Sower is an incredibly written, intelligent, and in the end worthwhile novel.
Highly, highly, highly recommended novel to fans of realistic sci-fi, post-apocalyptic novels, and for that matter female writers. Butler is an outstanding novelist. With that said, I do warn you of two things. First, this is not a happy story. Second, it is not independent. You must first read Parable of the Sower to understand Parable of the Talents.
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