This book is a quietly brutal examination of the ways that white supremacy and patriarchy align to thoroughly oppress and reduce women, particularly Black women (as well as Black men to a lesser extent, from a narrative standpoint), to objects who serve a purpose, nothing more or less. The comparisons to The Handmaid’s Tale are fair enough, but important to note - as far as I understand, The Blueprint actually directly references and draws more linearly from the historic events that inspired The Handmaid’s Tale. The focus absolutely is on the prose and the character development rather than world-building. However, because the setting is an America that has reinstated slavery (an alt-history, but set in the near future I believe), while the tech-based invasive surveillance is actually horrifying, it is less a sci-fi dystopian and more a literary one, with a big focus on real historical events. Most chilling of all perhaps was that at times, both characters maintained the idea that their relationship was based on “love.” Of course we see very clearly it is based on control. I think I can speak for all of us reading this when I say, May this kind of “love” never find me. This book is really excellent, I foresee a reread in my future, and would absolutely recommend it!

I have nothing smart to say. This book absolutely devastated me.

For me, Parable of the Talents delivered what Parable of the Sower did not, and that was increased nuance with the multiple POVs. I was actually so surprised and really appreciated Butler being able to apply a bit of a critical lens to certain characters. I really loved getting more of the wider world and the way it functions explained to us, and seeing the role that Christian nationalism played in its politics. This book actually felt even more prescient than Parable of the Sower! Highly highly recommend, even for folks who were on the fence about Parable of the Sower.

I overall really enjoyed this book, though I had some quibbles. Butler is a masterful writer and paints a very bleak and unfortunately realistic future for us. I think that for me, Earthseed itself was... fine? but calling it a religion was sort of a turn-off and also I think unnecessary. At least from my own personal standpoint, I think "philosophy" or "way of living and seeing the world" would have served just as well. I also had really hoped for more exploration of the wider world and the forces at play there, and it was a little more chaotic anarchy than I expected. Additionally... the age gap situation was not that cute for me, but I did really like Harry and Zahra. In the second half, Earthseed got less compelling and more blossoming cult adjacent, which I didn't love. I don't always desire a perfectly likable protagonist, but seeing Lauren really morph into a baby cult leader was bit rough after all she had been through! At the same time... I do admire the confidence and conviction.