Parable of the Sower

While it doesn't top Xenogenesis as my favorite Butler writing, I think I read this book at a very apt time. It is one of those stories that is becoming relevant yet again. You think we humans would figure out ways to avoid dystopian apocalypse instead of continuing to follow every fictional plotline leading up to that apocalypse ever, wouldn't you? Butler's is particularly grim as the thesis behind this dystopia isn't a zombie plague or alien invasion, but a simple matter of too many otherwise intelligent people ignoring major problems until it it too late to fix them, over and over again.

Of course, since it is Butler, one difficult to tackle theme is not enough. This book exlores race relationships, the nature of empathy vs, survival, and a philosophy of embracing “shit happens” to a religious level. I can get behind the philosphy of Earthseed. I definitely want to continue on to the next parable as soon as I take a break to go back to ignoring the problems of my own society. Life is a cabaret, old chum.