The first science fiction written by a black woman, Kindred has become a cornerstone of black American literature. This combination of slave memoir, fantasy, and historical fiction is a novel of rich literary complexity. Having just celebrated her 26th birthday in 1976 California, Dana, an African-American woman, is suddenly and inexplicably wrenched through time into antebellum Maryland. After saving a drowning white boy there, she finds herself staring into the barrel of a shotgun and is transported back to the present just in time to save her life. During numerous such time-defying episodes with the same young man, she realises the challenge she’s been given: to protect this young slaveholder until he can father her own great-grandmother.

Very readable time travel novel and my first ever 'science fiction' read. Octavia Butler had African- American heritage and the ideas she explores confronts those of race , sex and power. I will definitely be looking for more of her work.

Wishlist tag for amberC so will post in the next few days for travel to Northern Territory.

Arrived today. Thank you. I love the BFG postcard.

Well written, very readable but harrowing story.

You've been tagged! Wishlist tag release.

Thanks for the tag, amberC.
Looks like a great read.

Interesting premise and story. The time travel device allows us some insights into plantation life and the daily lives of the slaves as seen and experienced by a person with modern sensibilities. Clever, and made the whole experience very visceral and 'real'. How would we / I react in similar circumstances?


Update 29th December:
I attempted to post this today to mcsar as a wishlist tag, only to be told that parcel services to Canada have been suspended until further notice . . .

Finally off on the long trip (with friends).

Thank you for the tag. It has finally arrived with all its travelling companions.

A very great read. I agree with the previous comments. I also can't help thinking how I might react. It is very troubling to realize how easy it is for oppression to keep the oppressed down and how hard it is for the oppressed to keep up hope.

Happy belated birthday! I enjoyed this book very much and hope you'd like it too.

Thank you for sending me this surprise wishlist book together with The Kite Runner!

After reading the book I wouldn't classify it as science fiction. It's a time travel book where the heroine travels from the contemporary time (it's 1976 then) to the beginning of the 19th century when the slavery is still not abolished in the United States. The time travel element is not really scientific, there is some unclear connection between Dana and her ancestor Rufus - when he is scared and/or his life is in danger, Dana appears in his time. Alternatively, she can get back to her time only when her own life is in danger. Aside from this time travel element, it's actually mostly historical fiction depicting the slavery through the eyes of a contemporary person and showing how easily slaves are made and kept enslaved.

Another thing the book made me wonder about - the contemporary time there is almost 50 years ago. Ok, there is certainly racism still in 1976 depicted by the reaction of Dana's and Kevin's families, but still somehow I got a feeling that not much has improved since then in the US. I'm probably wrong and it has improved a lot. It may be the stark contrast between the times of slavery and 1976 and not enough portrayal of 1976 in the book.

This book will travel with my mom to Latvia tonight and will be posted from there to the bookcrosser who picked it from greenbadger's Alphabet VBB round 26.

Thank you so much for sending this one, it was a lovely surprise as was the postcard and label. All much appreciated 😊