Science fiction, while boasting endless unique aliens and futuristic worlds, is not known for its diversity among its human characters. It’s still unusual for science fiction novels to feature a female protagonist, and even more unusual for that protagonist to be a woman of color. Enter Octavia Butler, one of science fiction’s greatest authors.
“Wild Seed,” the first chronological book in Butler’s Patternist series, tells the story of seemingly immortal Anyanwu and her relationship with her more sinister counterpart, Doro. The tale examines the reshaping of identity and culture as Anyanwu is taken from Africa to colonial America to bear Doro’s children, who hopes to create a race of people like himself: powerful and immortal.
The novel is both beautiful and haunting as it plunges into the depths of human nature, loneliness, and the power dynamic between two unshakable and opposing characters who are intimately bound together. Possessing a compelling plot and beautiful prose, “Wild Seed” is a powerful novel at its core because it’s tied to the very real history of slavery and the African diaspora. Butler deftly explores the complexities of racism and reproductive slavery, and creates a compelling slave narrative that does not pull punches. Ultimately, what makes this novel good is not the uncanny abilities of the characters, but its ability to draw out the horrible reality of reproductive slavery and display it matter-of-factly to readers, leaving them reeling.
Readers looking for something light should steer clear, as “Wild Seed” will take root in your mind even after you put the book down.
Reach writer Emma Bueren at arts@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @EmBueren
