Kindred

This was not what I expected at all.

I wanted to read an Octavia Butler book and checked out a random one from my library. This book highlights the mixed feelings racism brings between black and white people. The main characters seemed to hate and love each other because they like each other's company but Rufus can't seem to help to do anything besides hurt the black people around him. I think he wants to do the right thing but never emotionally matured enough and didnt have enough backbone to stand up to societial norms.

An amazing read that I highly recommend. I would never have picked this book myself, but it was recommended and I picked up this time travel sci-fi book one night, thinking it would help put me to sleep. Four hours later, I had to force myself to put the book down. I will never forget this story. This book places you square in the middle of Antebellum South inside the skin of a modern day (by way of the 1970s) black woman trying to survive long enough to navigate her way back home. The author manages to skillfully make her point about slavery - all kinds of slavery - without going into too many gorey details which makes this accessible to all readers. There were some very gritty passages but necessary. The author brings history class to life in this compelling story and yet, her most powerful points are made in quiet moments. The most powerful one for me was when Dana realized how easy it was to condition people to accept horrific mistreatment. Especially when the power structure condones it. There were several passages that were hard to read. This book will leave a mark and is a MUST-READ for everyone. Even though it was written in the late 70s, it’s a timeless story about freedom and human nature. I would especially recommend for book clubs.

I enjoyed this book. I watch a lot of documentaries and movies about slavery and this story fell right in with those. It felt accurate.

Wow, I didn't think I was going to like this book so much. I am not one for science fiction but somehow this book just worked for me. Yes, it is a time traveling book but also a historical fiction book about an important time in our history. The book uses the science fiction genre to expose the cruelties and injustices of slavery and racism in an innovative and interesting way.

Dana is a young African American woman starting her writing career in CA in 1976. She is suddenly and without any warning, yanked back in time to Maryland in 1815 to save a young boy, Rufus, from drowning. This becomes the first of many time traveling episodes for Dana. She quickly learns that Rufus is one of her own ancestors. She travels to him when he is in danger/trouble, and she goes to help him, despite him being the son of a slave owner. She tries her best to influence his development, but can she overcome the institution of slavery while doing so? On one of these episodes, her (white)husband, Kevin, is pulled back in time with her. This was fascinating because their roles were that of slave and slave owner. Dana could be in 1815 for 2 days or several years yet time passed in CA was only seconds or minutes. Dana watches Rufus grow from a little boy to an adult slave owner who inherits his father's plantation.

I feel like this is one of those books that should be required reading in school. The novel and title are a metaphor for the African American (and American) experience. Kindred means similar in quality or character, "kindred souls", closely related to. Although the present-day story takes place in 1976, it is timely for today. We have advanced in many ways, but we need to remember that we have a history of slavery and racism in this country and sadly, it can surface again. We are kindred with the ugly parts of our history.

My actual rating is 3.5. Reading this book was really difficult because of how Dana's character just had to submit and take being treated and seen as a secondary human being. And then to be subjected to Rufus' behavior and treatment?... ugh for her to have no control over how and when she traveled was just super hard to get through. As an African American I honestly don't think I'd have the reform or strength or will to not be treated fairly or respected or anything less of than how I know I should be seen and treated by others. Octavia Butler certainly moves the reader with this book and shows a level of complex, almost Stockholm syndrome like, relations between two completely different people bound together through time, blood, life, twisted love and circumstances. And like Dana, the reader is kind of just along for the ride.