Butler’s Parable of the Sower has captured my
attention much more than any book I’ve ever had to read for high school
classes. Her form is unique in that it is in a diary/journal style. The way she
writes is original and captivating in that the main character and narrator,
Lauren Olamina, describes her emotions and the emotions of others strictly from
her perspective. The bleak world in which this tale is placed is exceptionally
interesting to me. I find apocalyptic fiction in all forms to be very
interesting because no one who writes about it ever shapes the same world. It
is always different. Butler’s world is one in which the economy is failing and
industries are controlled by a minority of wealthy corporate owners and fueled
by the sweat of a starving majority. This world describes through the eyes of a
16-year old girl is especially vivid in that she has a deep rising fear of her
surroundings.
I
believe that Lauren’s overempathy disorder is a tool used by the author to
describe the way she feels emotions of others in her own life. Lauren actually
feels the pain and sorrow of others. I think this is Butler’s way of describing
the way she feels the pain and sorrow of others, possibly loved ones or friends.
I am extremely excited to continue this novel and I look forward to seeing how
Lauren’s story progesses.
I agree with much of what you had to say. In high school, when I had a book assigned to read, it was rare I was thrilled with it. But so far I'm really enjoying Parable of the Sower. It is a exciting take on the genre because the way it is written makes it seem all so real. If the world ever dramatically falls into a downward spiral, this sounds like how it would happen.
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