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Kindred

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Kindred

By: Octavia E. Butler
Narrated by: Kim Staunton
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About this listen

The first science-fiction written by a Black woman, Kindred has become a cornerstone of African-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 realizes the challenge she's been given: to protect this young slaveholder until he can father her own great-grandmother.

Author Octavia E. Butler skilfully juxtaposes the serious issues of slavery, human rights, and racial prejudice with an exciting science-fiction, romance, and historical adventure. Kim Staunton's narrative talent magically transforms the listener's earphones into an audio time machine.

©2000 Octavia Butler (P)2000 Recorded Books, LLC African American Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction Time Travel Scary Thought-Provoking

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Critic reviews

"[ Kindred] is a shattering work of art with much to say about love, hate, slavery and racial dilemmas, then and now." ( Los Angeles Herald Examiner)
"Truly terrifying." ( Essence)
"Butler's literary craftsmanship is superb." ( The Washington Post Book World)
All stars
Most relevant  
I always am captivated when characters move through time and this was no exception. I'm once again aware that White Privilege is real. 🥺 it breaks my heart that this book tells stories that really happened.
I read this after I heard it reviewed on TV and I would thoroughly recommend it to everyone.

loved it

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Brilliant and compelling genre-defying storytelling, weaving themes of racism, sexism, power and redemption. Highly recommended.

Powerful and relevant

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Interesting, thought provoking and brilliantly read.
weaving historical fact with modern fiction really well done.

Really liked it

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Never a dull moment. Each character is wholly unique yet believable. Historical fiction meets Sci fi and it's the most perfect blend.

Fantastic.

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Refreshing narrative and insight into a part of history. The author balances history and context well.

Great listen

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A bizarre look back into slavery times from a time jumping protagonist.. very well written

Interesting and different

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Powerful story, up-to-date and thought-provoking, amazing writing and excellent performance by the reader!

Couldn’t stop listening to

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Helped me to understand how these terrible things were done by people in ignorance and entitlement.

Very thought provoking

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This is a remarkable book and it is obviously where Audrey Niffinger sourced the idea for Time Travellers Wife.
The main character is uncontrollably sent back and forth through time from 1970 to the American south during the slave trade era.
Thus far so good, a great idea, but what happens to her there is so brutal at times, that I had to keep playing the book forward to miss the graphic violence.
I ended up missing some of the plot because of this, and lost momentum.
Sadly I didnt make it to the end.
No doubt an important book, but deeply upsetting and should carry a trigger warning and I didn’t get my moneys worth.

A tough listen

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Narration here felt very loyal to Octavia Butler, even evolving the accents of the characters through their journey.

Complicity is a painful part of the characters' experiences in this novel and at the same time helps it feel true and makes it feel every more important and heartfelt. Trauma pulls us all back to face versions of ourselves that we thought had escaped the fate of being born 200 years previous.

Kim Staunton incredible performance

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