7 Octavia Butler Books That'll Transport You to a New World
In a literary genre dominated by white men, Butler made her own space.
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If we're talking must-read authors like Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, and Toni Morrison, the one-and-only Octavia Butler needs be a part of the conversation. The groundbreaking sci-fi and speculative fiction author was a master of spinning imaginative tales that introduced you to both the possibilities—and dangers—of the human race, all while offering lessons on tribalism, race, gender, and sexuality.
In a literary genre dominated by white men, Butler published 15 novels and short story collections in her lifetime, received a MacArthur genius grant, and earned two Nebula and two Hugo awards, both esteemed recognitions in publishing. And despite dying unexpectedly of a stroke at age 58 in 2006, her legacy still lives on. In 2019, the Los Angeles Public Library named its studio space the Octavia Lab in her honor.
“First forget inspiration," she wrote in her short story collection, Bloodchild and Other Stories. "Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you're inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won't. Habit is persistence in practice.”
Below we have the essential Octavia Butler books to introduce you to the acclaimed author.
In what is considered a literary masterpiece and Butler's most popular novel, Kindred follows a young Black woman named Dana. Though she lives in 1976 L.A., she's suddenly transported to a Civil War-era plantation in Maryland. Soon, the more frequently Dana travels back in time, the longer she stays, as she faces a danger that threatens her life in the future.
Set in the 17th and 18th centuries, Wild Seed follows immortals Doro and Anyanwu. Doro lives by stealing others bodies. He also created a small African society with the goal of achieving human perfection. Anyanwu is a shapeshifter with healing powers. After discovering one another, the two struggle to co-exist with their warring methods of survival.
Book 2: Mind of My Mind Book 3: Clay's Ark Book 4: Patternmaster
Set in a dystopian society in the 2020s, Lauren and her family live in a gated compound in the outskirts of L.A. They remain somewhat protected from a world that has been dismantled by the worst of human nature. That is until her home is destroyed and her family is killed, and Lauren must lead the survivors to safety with a revolutionary idea she feels could save humankind.
This acclaimed collection of short stories includes the Hugo and Nebula award-winning "Bloodchild," which takes place on a distant planet called Tlic. It's a land where human children who inhabit the planet are raised to host the Tlic's eggs. Other stories include "The Meaning and the Morning of the Night" and "Speech Sounds."
Butler's Fledgling reflects on race and sexuality through a unique tale. A 10-year-old with amnesia makes a surprising discovery that she's actually a 53-year-old vampire. She fights to recover her memories in order to save herself and those she cares for.
The first book in what is also known as the "Lilith's Brood" trilogy, follows Lilith Iyapo who wakes up 250 years after Earth was destroyed by nuclear war. She finds herself in the possession of an alien race called the Oankali, who saved all the human survivors and healed earth. Now, they task Lilith with leading the return to her home planet.
Published 8 years after her death, Butlers' Unexpected Stories features two tales that were originally written in the 1970s. "A Necessary Being" is set in a world with leaders that are biologically determined, while "Childfinder" follows a Black woman in the 1970s who imagines the future of the human race.
McKenzie Jean-Philippe is the editorial assistant at OprahMag.com covering pop culture, TV, movies, celebrity, and lifestyle. She loves a great Oprah viral moment and all things Netflix—but come summertime, Big Brother has her heart. On a day off you'll find her curled up with a new juicy romance novel.
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