Octavia E. Butler: Her Legacy Lives On

Lauren Kratz, Librarian III, Octavia Lab,
Octavia E. Butler
Octavia E. Butler’s legacy lives on through her work, but also her influence on other groundbreaking authors

"People have changed the climate of the world. Now they’re waiting for the old days to come back."The Parable of the Sower

Octavia E. Butler's dystopian science fiction classic, Parable of the Sower, is set in the summer of 2024, making it the perfect time to read or revisit this timeless novel. Published in 1993, the reader joins protagonist Lauren's plight to escape Los Angeles, which is plagued by the effects of climate change, including violence, fires, and wealth inequality.

"All that you touch, You Change. All that you Change, Changes you. The only lasting truth Is Change."The Parable of the Sower

The main character, Lauren, establishes her religion, Earthseed, which includes the belief that all beings can create and influence change through their thoughtful actions.

"I’m trying to speak—to write—the truth. I’m trying to be clear. I’m not interested in being fancy or even original. Clarity and truth will be plenty, if I can only achieve them."Parable of the Sower

Octavia E. Butler’s legacy lives on through her work, but also her influence on other groundbreaking authors. If you enjoy Octavia E. Butler, you will also enjoy the following works.


Recommended Reading


Book cover of Parable of the sower
Parable of the Sower
Butler, Octavia E

Book cover for Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation
Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation
Duffy, Damian

Book cover of Parable of the talents
Parable of the Talents
Butler, Octavia E

Book cover for A Phoenix First Must Burn
A Phoenix First Must Burn
Caldwell, Patrice (editor)

Book cover of The reformatory
The Reformatory
Due, Tananarive

Book cover of Rest is resistance : a manifesto
Rest is Resistance
Hersey, Tricia

Book cover for The City We Became
The City We Became
Jemisin, N. K.

Book cover of Lone women
Lone Women
LaValle, Victor

Book cover of Victor LaValle's Destroyer
Victor LaValle's Destroyer
LaValle, Victor

Book cover of Octavia's brood : science fiction stories from social justice movements
Octavia's Brood: Science Fiction Stories From Social Justice Movements
Imarisha, Walidah (editor)

Book cover of Noor
Noor
Okorafor, Nnedi

Book cover of Everfair
Everfair
Shawl, Nisi

Book cover of A darker wilderness : black nature writing from soil to stars
A Darker Wilderness: Black Nature Writing From Soil to Stars
Sharkey, Erin (editor)

Book cover of Nigeria Jones
Nigeria Jones
Zoboi, Ibi Aanu

Octavia Lab: The Octavia Lab, named after the award-winning science fiction author Octavia E. Butler, is a do-it-yourself makerspace located inside the Los Angeles Public Library's historic Central Library. Octavia Lab provides library cardholders free and unlimited access to state-of-the-art design, fabrication, preservation, and story-telling technologies.


 

 

 

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