I’m excited to announce our winter BOB selection: Parable of the Sower, by Octavia Butler. In case you haven’t yet had the pleasure of reading her work, Octavia Butler was a celebrated speculative fiction writer and a recipient of the prestigious MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant. She lived in Seattle from 1999 until her tragic death in 2006—and incidentally, was also a “confirmed non-driver” who rode the bus and walked to get around.
Parable of the Sower is the first of a two-book series and was originally published in 1993. Here is the book description.
In 2025, with the world descending into madness and anarchy, one woman begins a fateful journey toward a better future
Lauren Olamina and her family live in one of the only safe neighborhoods remaining on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Behind the walls of their defended enclave, Lauren’s father, a preacher, and a handful of other citizens try to salvage what remains of a culture that has been destroyed by drugs, disease, war, and chronic water shortages. While her father tries to lead people on the righteous path, Lauren struggles with hyperempathy, a condition that makes her extraordinarily sensitive to the pain of others.
When fire destroys their compound, Lauren’s family is killed and she is forced out into a world that is fraught with danger. With a handful of other refugees, Lauren must make her way north to safety, along the way conceiving a revolutionary idea that may mean salvation for all mankind.
Stay tuned for details about our Parable of the Sower event. In the meantime, grab a copy to read on your rides. It’s available to check out—at SPL or KCLS—download, or purchase at your favorite bookstore.
Enjoy!