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Parable of the Sower

Read by:
Lynne Thigpen
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Unabridged Audiobook

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Ratings
Book
273
Narrator
78
Release Date
June 26, 2009
Duration
12 hours 3 minutes
Summary
Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author Octavia E. Butler paints a stunning portrait of an all-too-believable near future. As with Kindred and her other critically-acclaimed novels, Parable of the Sower skillfully combines startling visionary and socially realistic concepts. God is change. That is the central truth of the Earthseed movement, whose unlikely prophet is 18-year-old Lauren Olamina. The young woman's diary entries tell the story of her life amid a violent 21st-century hell of walled neighborhoods and drug-crazed pyromaniacs-and reveal her evolving Earthseed philosophy. Against a backdrop of horror emerges a message of hope: if we are willing to embrace divine change, we will survive to fulfill our destiny among the stars. For her elegant, literate works of science fiction, Octavia E. Butler has been compared to Toni Morrison and Ursula K. LeGuin. Narrator Lynne Thigpen's melodious voice will hold you spellbound throughout this compelling parable of modern society.
Reviews
Profile Avatar Yves-Antoine R. Mar 2022

Maybe the most profound and transformative book I’ve encountered. It’s slow paced and it requires investment and reflection. It’s also gripping and relentless and cruel and it forces resilience upon the listener. I’m grateful for Octavia E. Butler and her contributions.

Profile Avatar Reasha W. Oct 2023

interesting to compare this timeline to current reality

Profile Avatar Jessica S. Nov 2021

It started off slow. I expected it to pop right off the top like Kindred. Actually I had to let it go and come back months later and was not let down! I enjoyed the read and walked away with a different outlook on life in general. More so with heavy focus on the prepare for doomsday type stuff. I feel the same way abt Earthseed as the main character’s future husband.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Oct 2021

Loved the narrator, storyline a bit depressing but kept my interest.

Profile Avatar JK Mar 2022

What a wonderful listen! I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.

Profile Avatar Lesley B. May 2021

I almost didn’t listen to this, there was a bit to much God for my personal taste, but glad I persisted beyond the first couple of chapters. It could indeed be our future, hope not but..... The narrator is superb, gentle voiced, clear and slightly mesmerising, I’m sure that’s part of the reason I continued to listen. Will try another book by this author/narrator combo.

Profile Avatar Lisa M. Jul 2018

The story was wonderful. The reading was wonderful. Wonderful book. Octavia Butler was an incredible writer.

Profile Avatar Rb Apr 2025

I enjoyed reading this story. Though It was a bit different as it ranged into the future. However, I agree with other readers that it takes focus to understand the underlying theme. Keep reading until the end.

Profile Avatar Shar Banning Feb 2025

This Book has been on a few people's recommended reading lists if in the "cute winter boots" realm of TikTok. In these strange times this is a jarring listen. I normally love speculative fiction but it feels little too close to home now. Considering the book starts in 2025 it's adds an extra layer of unease. If you liked "The Road" you'll like this!

Profile Avatar Anonymous Sep 2024

Great book. Loved the narrators voice. Loved the story and how it is based in today’s time yet written back in the 90s. Would recommend.

Profile Avatar Susan H Nov 2023

The book was a little bit slow and depressing. But it is an interesting take on a now believable not too distant future. I am glad I listened to it and want to know what happens next.

Profile Avatar Molly G. Sep 2023

This was an interesting book. Apocalyptic, graphic, straight forward read. I will purchase second book.

Profile Avatar Thorn Aug 2023

It was way too slow to start, I was (unlike me) about to give up. But (surprisingly) now I want to read the next in the series. Narrator, although pleasant to listen to, did not fit the main character.

Profile Avatar FannyB Apr 2023

Unfortunately, I can see this future that Octavia Butler created. I’ve read the book and really enjoyed hearing it - the narrator fit what I’d heard in my head while reading.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Nov 2022

Soo so so good

Profile Avatar Shelby W. Jul 2022

This book couldn't be more timely. It certainly feels less like apocalyptic fiction, and more like a survival guide. The pace of the novel is steady, and the narrator's voice is easy to listen to. Octavia E. Butler is an American treasure.

Profile Avatar Terezel Jun 2022

The sower of seed. I enjoyed the story very much because of the family dynamics in such a barren future. The wisdom of the young 18 year old female character was encouraging for our children

Profile Avatar Anonymous Sep 2021

boooorrrinnggg.

Profile Avatar Eon-Morningstar Sep 2021

This book was both beautiful and frightening (and frighteningly relevant to our times!)...I felt totally gripped and immersed in the story and the world. And I loved that the existential horror of Butler's post-apocalyptic vision was imbued with hope and a vision for a better future. The narration was also fantastic.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Jan 2021

Amazing read and beautiful narrator. Picking the Parable of Talents righ away!

Profile Avatar Adrienne R. Oct 2020

The book was enlightening and gave much insight to what the future may hold.

Profile Avatar Latoya L. Jun 2020

Its crazy how much this book relates to today ans might be a foreseeable future. Here are some pieces of goodness and quotes from the book that I loved: What if all we know is wrong, what if God is something else all together We do not worship God, we perceive and attend God, We learn from God, with forethought and work we shape God, In the end we yield to God. We adapt and endure for we are Earthseed and God is change. All that you touch, you change. All that you change changes you. The only lasting truth is change. Once people get the idea that it's alright to take what they want and destroy the rest, who knows when they'll stop. Cops be drunk with power and hungry for more. *Read this book, Octavia Butler outdid herself once again. #book19of2020 #bookworm #whatsnext #highlyrecommended

Profile Avatar Maddy S. Jan 2020

Great read!!

Profile Avatar Nadia R. Oct 2019

This book was a pleasant surprise. I had read one of Octavia Butler’s books before and this was just as excellent. The narrator was absolutely spectacularly.

Profile Avatar Sarah M Apr 2017

Excellent book and narration. I can't wait to find the second book.

Parable of the Sower

Parable of the Sower

Author: Octavia E. Butler
Read by: Lynne Thigpen
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