I really enjoyed this book when I first read it, so when I found this decent ex-library hardcover on sale at Better World Books, I added it to my haul.

It contains stories and essays, along with a preface by Butler explaining why she doesn't usually write short stories {wry grin}. She includes an afterword with each entry, discussing how she came to write it, the kinds of reactions it's had, and other points of interest.

I think my favorite story here is the title story, "Bloodchild," which takes the aliens-conquer-the-Earth idea, mixes in the concept of cross-species breeding, and manages to make the story both horrifying and strangely touching at the same time. (Perhaps that "touching" bit depends on how you feel about a conquering race rearing other-species young to accept their role as hosts to parasitic implanted eggs... But, for me, it was a very powerful story, and one of the more unusual alien/human story-treatments I've read.)

"The Evening and the Morning and the Night" deals with a terrifying, inherited disease that causes its victims to mutilate themselves; they story includes the history of the ailment, and the struggles to find a cure. The syndrome is fictional but has similarities to some real-world ailments, and I found myself involved in the story.

"Near of Kin" is practically a vignette, a poignant tale of someone learning the truth about her parentage.

"Speech Sounds" presents a post-apocalyptic world in which the disaster involves a "Tower of Babel" syndrome - most people have lost the ability to communicate by speech, with variations as to the type and degree of their limitations. There are some nightmarish scenes, and just a hint of hope...

The essay "Positive Obsession" deals with her urge to write, from a young age - despite being told by her elders that she couldn't make a living as a writer, and that "Negroes can't be writers" at all.

Truly fascinating, unusual, and memorable collection; I'm glad I read this!

I'm adding this book to the Authoress bookbox, which will be on its way to its next stop soon. Hope someone enjoys the book!

This came to me in the Authoress bookbox. I've enjoyed everything I've read by Butler, so I was excited to get this through BC.

I finished this slim volume in a couple hours. Every one of these stories and essays are compelling and well-crafted, showing Butler's talent for creating characters you are invested in and worlds that we can see as a disguised reflection of our own. It was difficult to pick favorites as I generally do for short story collections, since each tale is so individual and unique. However, these are the ones that stuck with me the most intensely:

"The Evening and the Morning and the Night" is about a couple suffering from a horrifying genetic illness and the impacts of that on their parents and themselves.

"Speech Sounds" features a post-apocalyptic world in which people have lost verbal communication, some entirely, while others cling to tiny fragments of language.

"Positive Obsession" is about the elements that made Butler a writer, told with dark humor and an obvious passion.

This book is one of the starting volumes for Round II of The Otherworldly Bookbook

I picked this out of emmejo's Otherworldly Bookbox. I like books with short stories. They are perfect for times when you just don't feel you want to get into something with big plots. This book is also the right size for purse traveling. Thanks for sharing!

What a great book of science fiction stories. I've been wanting to read some of Octavia Butler's works for some time and this was a wonderful introduction for me. I would agree with emmejo in that I too found "The Evening and the Morning and the Night" and "Speech Sounds" stuck with me. I especially liked "Bloodchild". It is a story that has three layers. "Bloodchild" is very interesting as it combines a love story between a young, male human and an alien, a coming of age theme where, on the cusp of manhood, he must face some disturbing realities that could affect his entire life and, finally, the subject of male pregnancy. Butler's tales have a pessimistic tone while being very imaginative as she plays with our psyche. Thanks for sharing!

I'm putting this book into emmejo's Otherworldly Bookbox. Happy Travels!

Selected from the Round III Otherworldly Bookbox.

I've enjoyed many of Octavia E. Butler's novels. This will be a great chance to read some of her short stories! Thanks!

Blood Child, and Other Stories by Octavia E. Butler

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Octavia E. Butler is an amazing author. I've loved her novels and now I'm a fan of her short stories. But what I loved most about this collection of short stories were the two essays at the end. One, "Positive Obsession", is a brief account of her path to becoming a writer. The second, "Furor Scribendi", she wrote for the anthology series, "Writers of the Future" where she talks about the 'Rules of Writing' with an emphasis on Persistence.

On a bistro table in the Crystal City underground outside the Starbucks.