Parable of the Sower
Compelling
Intense
Meaningful

Parable of the Sower

This highly acclaimed post-apocalyptic novel of hope and terror from award-winning author Octavia E. Butler "pairs well with 1984 or The Handmaid's Tale" (John Green, New York Times)--now with a new foreword by N. K. Jemisin. When global climate change and economic crises lead to social chaos in the early 2020s, California becomes full of dangers, from pervasive water shortage to masses of vagabonds who will do anything to live to see another day. Fifteen-year-old Lauren Olamina lives inside a gated community with her preacher father, family, and neighbors, sheltered from the surrounding anarchy. In a society where any vulnerability is a risk, she suffers from hyperempathy, a debilitating sensitivity to others' emotions. Precocious and clear-eyed, Lauren must make her voice heard in order to protect her loved ones from the imminent disasters her small community stubbornly ignores. But what begins as a fight for survival soon leads to something much more: the birth of a new faith . . . and a startling vision of human destiny.
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Photo of Katy Watkins
Katy Watkins@katy
4.5 stars
Jul 26, 2025
Dark
Intense
Timeless
Photo of Willow Beller
Willow Beller@notawillow
4 stars
May 8, 2025
Eloquent
Compelling
Intelligent
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Jasper@jpev19
2.5 stars
Mar 28, 2025
Photo of Hardy  Clervil
Hardy Clervil@hcler
4.5 stars
Jan 30, 2025
Edgy
Compelling
Thought provoking
Photo of Neil Chin
Neil Chin@neilio98
5 stars
Jan 28, 2025
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Dave Goldsmith@davegoldsmith
4 stars
Jan 2, 2025
Photo of Alli
Alli@maybeitsalli
5 stars
Dec 29, 2024
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Nik ✨@nixter
2 stars
Dec 12, 2024
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jj@pffffft_no
4.5 stars
Nov 21, 2024
Photo of Naomi J.
Naomi J.@naomij
4.5 stars
Oct 16, 2024
Photo of Kierce
Kierce@kierce
4.5 stars
Sep 30, 2024
Dark
Unique
Intelligent
Photo of nailah
nailah@lolnailah
3 stars
Aug 31, 2024
Photo of Chris Dailey
Chris Dailey@cris_dali
4 stars
Jul 7, 2024
Photo of Mat Connor
Mat Connor@mconnor
3 stars
Jun 25, 2024
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Liyah 🤎@aallen1019
5 stars
Jun 17, 2024
Photo of lala
lala@polijus
4 stars
Jun 3, 2024
Photo of elizabeth
elizabeth@ekmclaren
3 stars
May 11, 2024
Thought provoking
Photo of Sonia Grgas
Sonia Grgas@sg911911
5 stars
Feb 23, 2024
Photo of Emma Cragg
Emma Cragg@ekcragg
5 stars
Feb 10, 2024
Unique
Layered
Photo of aw.
aw.@aimeamie
5 stars
Jan 28, 2024
Unique
Complex
Intense
Compelling
Photo of Sarah Henry
Sarah Henry@henrywhosaralou
4 stars
Jan 6, 2024
Photo of Laura Hilliger
Laura Hilliger@laurahilliger
3.5 stars
Dec 21, 2023
This review contains a spoiler
Photo of jennifer
jennifer @booksvirgo
5 stars
Dec 18, 2023
Photo of Lisa Lindquist
Lisa Lindquist @lisalindquist
3 stars
Jul 12, 2023

Highlights

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Alli@maybeitsalli
Page 79
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Imogen@smimogen