Kindred

By: Octavia E. Butler

Narrated by: Kim Staunton

Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

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

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)

Simply written, but full of wisdom

Kindred's writing style doesn't use a lot of flowery speech and metaphors, but it's enjoyable and straight to the point. It's impressive the range of topics which it covers. I actually wish that I could have been assigned this book in high school, because I'd love to get an academic take on it.

If you liked Outlander....

This is a bit along the same lines. The only thing that bothered me was the lack of emotion around the horrors the character saw. She seemed almost resigned and clinical about it unless she was actively experiencing said horrors. That grated on me a little. I thought a little social commentary and interest was called for.

Having said that I enjoyed the book and I liked the premise.

The narrator was reasonable, did not add or detract from the story.

Powerful story, great narrator

This is my fist book by Butler, but it will not be my last. Though the start may be a little slow for some readers, Kindred takes the reader through many levels of emotions and some great twists and turns. And Kim Staunton does a wonderful job giving characters their voices. I really enjoyed Kindred.

A side note: before lockdown, the last book I finished was Alex Haley's Roots, which opened my eyes to the extent of the horrors of slavery in the U.S., and Butler's Kindred is the first book I've finished since then. I didn't plan it that way, but I HIGHLY recommend that order for anyone, as Roots really set me up well for deeply feeling Ms. Butler's characters and their harsh realities.

Amazing Book

I read this for a book club and I am so thrilled that I did. I loved the storyline. Amazing narration!!

Haunting

Staunton’s performance was spectacular and truly haunting. Octavia Butler’s story of a black woman being transported to the antebellum south on a plantation was gripping, the relationship she developed with the slaves was heart wrenching. Classic sci-fi, should be a part of the curriculum in school

Love.

Octavia knows how to tell stories and I loved the narration. Easy to get lost in the story.

THIS BOOK DESERVES TO BE MADE INTO A MOVIE

What about Kim Staunton’s performance did you like?

Though the book has a sci-fi time travel element in it, the narrator put a lot of heart into her performance. she made the readers empathise with the characters and make them seem real through her excellent voice acting.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

My heart was wrung and mangled by the time i finished the book. i was deeply affected and indignated on how cruel the world was on black folks and that once upon a crude, crude time, slavery did exist. I have so much respect for them now more than ever, for enduring and rising above such hardships.

Any additional comments?

This book is a must read. I am frankly surprised that this hasn't been made into a movie yet and am hoping it would be translated to the big screen soon, to reach a larger audience.

Amazing Story

This book is filled with the things that make a great story. Love, hate, fear, humanity, and even history.

The story itself is a complex journey that is well written. I love how Ms. Butler ensured that characters had depth and weren't simply stereotypes. I also liked the trajectory of the story. This book could have EASILY been convoluted and hard to follow but the author showed skill in weaving a time traveling tale with multiple characters into a coherent story that made perfect sci-fi sense.

The narration was one of the best I've ever heard. Ms. Staunton reads clearly without being choppy. Her voice changes are unique enough to distinguish the different characters without being a caricature.

Overall, this was an amazing story and a great adventure into a complicated time.

Good read

I enjoyed listing to this book. I often imagine what it would be like going back in time. The author gives great details. it was like I could see everything through her eyes.

I was leery at first...

The premise of the story was off putting, the idea of my modern self being time traveled into slavery era south... No thank you! But after I got into the story, I was hooked. There is a rich story that takes a very in depth look at what would make one a slave. Questions I've often asked myself, that Butler examines fully and completely. The contrast and similarities between Dana's time and the past were well drawn up. Really pointing out how far we have to go.