"Kindred" by Octavia Butler

Kindred by Octavia Butler
It’s been a while since I’ve “blogged”. Sorry about that. It’s been busy, busy, busy! I can barely read, let alone write about it!.
But I’m back and well-read.
Last week, the Tracy Book Club’s book was “Kindred”, by Octavia Butler. Our resident Tracy High student, Samantha, suggested this. (Hello, Samantha!) This was an assigned book for her English class.
When it was described to me originally, I didn’t think I would like it. Then I read it. And I couldn’t stop reading it. And I was upset when I finished reading it because I couldn’t read it any more. This is one of the best books I have read in decades!
Classified as a “Science Fiction” novel, this is the story of Dana, an African American woman in California, in the ‘70’s. She and her husband, Kevin, a Caucasian man, are writers living a modern, middle class life.
One fateful day, Dana feels a bit strange. Before she can figure out what is happening to her, she looks around and realizes she has spontaneously disappeared from her living room and reappeared outdoors somewhere, hearing a child’s screams as he seems to be drowning in a river. Without hesitation, Dana rushes to the boy and rescues him. This is her introduction to Rufus – a young man who will become a very important part of her life.
It seems she has somehow been brought back in time, to the early 1800’s, on a southern plantation. Rufus is the son of a slave owner.
Dana is forced to remain for a while in this new (to her) place and time. The only way she can get back home is when she fears for her life.
As the story develops, it seems Dana is called back to Rufus time and time again, as he grows up and older, so that she may save his life. On one occasion, her husband happens to be holding on to her as she is called by Rufus, and he is forced to come with her. This turn of events causes him to be stuck 160 years in the past for a very long time – trying desperately to get back to the wife he loves.
I was fascinated, while reading this book, at how well the life of a slave was written and made real. The strength of the other slaves on the plantation, and of Dana herself, was inspiring. The acts of the slave owners were hideous and heinous. No doubt accurate, also.
When I think “Science Fiction”, I think “Star Wars”, which is not my favorite kind of reading. Hence my surprise at how much I enjoyed this book. Have you read it? I would love to hear what you think of it!
On a different note, I received a very nice comment from a gentleman asking if I could let him know what our book club is reading each week. And, although I did not respond as quickly as I had hoped, I am going to try to include that information in my blog. I want to make note, though, that the library doesn’t always have a lot of copies of each book, so I can’t promise it will be available that week at the Tracy Library. However, I like the idea because we are reading some great books and I know you would love to check them out!
This week (3/22-29) we’re reading “Lucia Lucia” by Adriana Trigiani. I like it so far, and hope you do, as well.
Don’t forget – our book club meets every Thursday at 6:30pm at the Library. Everyone is welcome!