Journal Entry 1 by Lorelei03 from Flushing, New York USA on Sunday, March 05, 2006

book two of the Parables

In memory of Octavia Estelle Butler(d 2006), the first African-American woman to gain popularity and critical acclaim as a science fiction writer I will be sending 4 of her books out as rings.

Through her work, Butler explored issues of race, gender, power, and what defines humanity.

From Publishers Weekly
Lauren Olamina, a black teenager, grew up in a 21st-century America that was tearing itself apart. Global warming, massive unemployment, gang warfare and corporate greed combined to break down society in general and her impoverished southern California neighborhood in particular. A victim of hyperempathy syndrome, a disorder that compels its victims to believe they feel others' pain, Lauren found herself homeless and alone in a violent world. Escaping from the urban jungle of Los Angeles, Lauren founded Acorn, a hard-working, prosperous rural community based on the teachings of Earthseed, a religion she herself created and centered on the ideas that God is Change and that humanity's destiny is to go to the stars. Butler's extraordinary Parable of the Sower (1996) detailed the aforementioned events. In this equally powerful sequel, Acorn is destroyed by the rising forces of Christian fundamentalism, led by the newly elected U.S. president, the Reverend Andrew Steele Jarret. A handsome man and persuasive orator, seemingly modeled in part on Pat Robertson, Jarret converts millions to his sect, Christian America, while his thugs imprison, rape and murder those they label "heathens," all the while kidnapping their children in order to raise them in Christian households. The narrative is both impassioned and bitter as Butler weaves a tale of a frighteningly believable near-future dystopia. Lauren, at once loving wife and mother, prophet and fanatic, victim and leader, gains stature as one of the most intense and well-developed protagonists in recent SF. Though not for the faint-hearted, this work stands out as a testament to the author's enormous talent, and to the human spirit.. Author tour. (Nov.) FYI: In 1995, Butler received a MacArthur Foundation ("genius") Award.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc 

Journal Entry 2 by Lorelei03 from Flushing, New York USA on Sunday, March 05, 2006

Here the order of the ring - to be started in the beginning of March. Please just PM if you'd like to join!

Rooshill (US preferred)
Mellion108 (Michigan, US)
TracyShannon (US preferred)
Lauraloo29 (Canada, US preferred)
Affinity4books (Texas, US/Canada preferred)
 

Journal Entry 3 by rooshill from Foresthill, California USA on Saturday, April 08, 2006

OMG - I'm in heaven (sort of, since I *do* have to give it up!)
I'm a huge Octavia Butler fan, and have been looking for this book forever. Now, here it is - and a beautiful hardcover at that! (Please excuse any drool marks when it returns home.)
Thank you Lorelei 

Journal Entry 4 by rooshill from Foresthill, California USA on Monday, April 17, 2006

Well, the down side to being the first in a ring is that I'm afraid to say much in my JE - I don't want to spoil it for the rest of the group.
It took longer to get into than the other OEB books I've read, but I still flew through it. The story made me angry, furious, disgusted...very, very sad...and just contemplative...
I love the Earthseed verses, just as I did in 'Parable of the Sower'
The voice of Larkin was at times frustrating - I wanted to shout at her sometimes, though I can understand some of her feelings. Overall, I feel she's too harsh and down on her mother. I identify more with Olamina despite her extreme drive and obsession. I really think she did want
Grr...I'm going to stop or I'll give things away. >:( LOL!
Sending to Mellion108 as soon as I have an address. 

Journal Entry 5 by mellion108 from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan USA on Saturday, May 13, 2006

I apologize for the delay in journalling. My server crashed at home and I can only get online every other week or so at the library.

Anyway, this book is here safe and sound. I'll read and pass on to TracyShannon as soon as possible. I loved the first book, so I look forward to reading this one.

Thanks for sharing!

Journal Entry 6 by mellion108 from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan USA on Saturday, June 10, 2006

Anyone else having a few disturbing dreams after reading these books? I'm starting to look around to figure out how to make my own little survival bag "just in case." ;-)

Another winner. I absolutely fell into this story. How different would Lauren/Asha's life been if she had been able to stay with her mother? Worse? Better? Different.

Butler's themes in this series are thought-provoking, and I find some of the parallels to current events to be just a bit too close for comfort. Still, I'm now hooked on Octavia Butler (why didn't that happen years ago????), and I plan to seek out more of her wonderful books.

Thanks so much once again for sharing. I loved the book! I plan to mail this via Media Mail to TracyShannon today. 

Journal Entry 7 by TracyShannon from El Paso, Texas USA on Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Received today. Thank you! 

Journal Entry 8 by TracyShannon from El Paso, Texas USA on Monday, June 26, 2006

I was finally able to start this book yesterday--and now I am done. It's another great Octavia Butler book. I'm constantly amazed at how she was able to combine such shocking, disturbing stories with a sense of hope.

Thank you again for sharing this book with me. 

Journal Entry 9 by TracyShannon from El Paso, Texas USA on Monday, June 26, 2006

Mailing to Lauraloo29 today. 

Journal Entry 10 by lauraloo29 from Edmonton, Alberta Canada on Friday, July 14, 2006

Arrived safe and sound today. I have a couple of rays before it, but I'll keep it moving. :) 

Journal Entry 11 by lauraloo29 from Edmonton, Alberta Canada on Wednesday, August 02, 2006

A thought provoking book. Certainly the trials Olamina went through with her group were horrible and wrong. I have my own faith that I am quite happy with. It makes me wonder what I would do to preserve it. I didn't feel that her daughter was too harsh. I think it was easier for her to have her life than to feel too sad about what had been dealt for her.

It was very funny for me to see my city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada mentioned. :)

This book will be off to Texas on Tuesday. Thank you for sharing! 

Journal Entry 12 by affinity4books from Bryan, Texas USA on Monday, August 21, 2006

Perfect timing! I finished a book this morning and now this arrived in the afternoon. I'm looking forward to another Butler masterpiece. Thanks for sharing! 

Journal Entry 13 by affinity4books from Bryan, Texas USA on Friday, September 22, 2006

Sorry about the delay, everyone. I read this in the first week of September and thought I had already journalled it. This was another Butler masterpiece, an excellent sequel. I liked seeing Lauren grow up, even though I was very frustrated with her brother and how things turned out because of him. I was really glad that things began to get better toward the end; I couldn't have taken much more of the Christian camp, since I was so invested in these characters. I admire how Butler provides hope even though she is realistic in portraying how some things couldn't be fixed or overcome, such as between Lauren and Asha. I also liked the interspersing of different characters' points of view in this novel and how it almost felt like a biography. Of course, it is too bad we can't hope for another sequel. Thanks for sharing this one Lorelei! 

Journal Entry 14 by affinity4books at Bookray in By Mail, BookCrosser -- Controlled Releases on Friday, September 22, 2006

Released 5 yrs ago (9/22/2006 UTC) at Bookray in By Mail, BookCrosser -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

This was mailed back to Lori today!