Understanding Octavia E. Butler.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Parker, Kendra R.

Series:

Understanding Contemporary American Literature Series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Butler, Octavia E.

African American women authors--Biography.

African American women authors.

Science fiction, American--Women authors--Biography.

Science fiction, American.

Speculative fiction, American--Women authors--Biography.

Speculative fiction, American.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (202 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Columbia : University of South Carolina Press, 2025.

Summary:

"New insights into the work of an acclaimed science fiction author. Octavia E. Butler (1947-2006), a pioneer of science fiction and foremother of Afrofuturism, is among the most influential science fiction writers of all time. Her work blurs the boundaries of commercial genres, exploring themes of race, gender and sexuality, religion, politics, and environment. A recipient of the MacArthur "Genius Grant" and PEN America Lifetime Achievement Award, Butler is best known for her novels Kindred (1979), Parable of the Sower (1993), and Fledgling (2005). In Understanding Octavia E. Butler, Kendra R. Parker surveys Butler's life, career, and major works, highlighting her ongoing interest in Black peoples' pasts, presents, and futures. After a biographical introduction, Parker evaluates Butler's career chronologically and thematically, with chapters covering her engagement with the African American literary tradition, her romance novels, and her nonfiction"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Cover

UNDERSTANDING OCTAVIA E. BUTLER

Title

Copyright

Dedication

CONTENTS

Series Editor's Preface

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1 An Introduction to Octavia E. Butler

Part I Writing through the Decades: Butler's Evolving Craft

Chapter 2 The 1970s: A Breakthrough Decade

Chapter 3 The 1980s: Perfecting Her "Adapt or Die" Refrain

Chapter 4 1990-2006: A (Bitter)Sweet 16

Part II Writing across Genres: Butler's Literary Range

Chapter 5 "Where I actually say so": Lessons from Her Freedom Narratives

Chapter 6 "This time, I want a love story": Her Early Romance Novels

Chapter 7 Word Weaver, World Maker: The Art of Her Nonfiction

Afterword: Living Forever, Leaving Legacies

Notes

Works Cited

Index.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

9781643365787

1643365789

OCLC:

1507700045