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Kindred  By  cover art

Kindred

By: Octavia E. Butler
Narrated by: Kim Staunton
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Publisher's summary

The first science-fiction written by a Black woman, Kindred has become a cornerstone of African-American literature. This combination of slave memoir, fantasy, and historical fiction is a novel of rich literary complexity.

Having just celebrated her 26th birthday in 1976 California, Dana, an African-American woman, is suddenly and inexplicably wrenched through time into antebellum Maryland. After saving a drowning White boy there, she finds herself staring into the barrel of a shotgun and is transported back to the present just in time to save her life.

During numerous such time-defying episodes with the same young man, she realizes the challenge she's been given: to protect this young slaveholder until he can father her own great-grandmother.

Author Octavia E. Butler skilfully juxtaposes the serious issues of slavery, human rights, and racial prejudice with an exciting science-fiction, romance, and historical adventure. Kim Staunton's narrative talent magically transforms the listener's earphones into an audio time machine.

©2000 Octavia Butler (P)2000 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"[Kindred] is a shattering work of art with much to say about love, hate, slavery and racial dilemmas, then and now." (Los Angeles Herald Examiner)

"Truly terrifying." (Essence)

"Butler's literary craftsmanship is superb." (The Washington Post Book World)

Featured Article: Far Out—The Best Audiobooks of and About the 1970s


Whether you were alive in the 1970s or born decades after, here are some of the best books about the 1970s and some of the most popular best sellers published during the 1970s to give you a better look at this fab, fascinating, and influential era. Whether you're nostalgic or curious about the decade that brought us Watergate and women's lib, Luke Skywalker and the Bee Gees, check out this list of out of sight audiobooks.

Editor's Pick

Shakes you to your bones
"I approached Kindred about a year ago knowing it was a classic. I don’t usually do well with classics—I get impatient with old-fashioned language and plodding plots—but this wasn’t like that at all. I was thrown off my expectations from chapter one. This story is gripping and fast-paced and uncomfortable and every bit as genius as when it was first released forty years ago. Listening with Kim Staunton’s narration made it, if possible, even more hauntingly real. This one stays with you."
Melissa B., Audible Editor

What listeners say about Kindred

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  • 10-09-18

The end was astonishing!

In and out of the past and future of those historical times, appeared with so much caution.

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Love the creative and connected story arcs.

The blend of the science-fiction and African American tales is refreshing and innovative. The African American female protagonist Dana is strong, level-headed and independent. The themes of Morality: Good vs. Evil and Meaningful Existence: Search for Purpose. Great narrator performance with the different characters and the colloquial language for the flashbacks are elegantly written.

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A true classic...

I had never heard of this book, but am grateful I found it. It is very well written, delving into the evils of slavery from a first person narrative. The narration was impeccable. Highly recommend! I will encourage my children and others to read it as well.

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I just returned from the antebellum south

Through this convincingly narrated time travel drama, I have now journeyed alongside the lives of slaves and slave owners, knowing these characters as people instead of as vague historical concepts. This science fantasy historical novel was a very satisfying listen, and the time I spent was quite a trip. I'm very glad I chose it.

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My last Octavia Butler Book..wish there were MORE!

I've loved all of Octavia Butlers books... from Mind of my mind to this book Kindred. Ms. Butler was ahead of her time and I'm thrilled I found her...

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Loved it!

Octavia transported me between 1976 and the 1800s. My emotions were all over the place. I felt hate, sadness, eagerness, fear, suspicion and kindness. The author knew how to draw you into the book. Amazing is all I can say about Octavia E Butler. This is my third book of gets and it just keeps going battery..

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could not stop listening

loved it. kept my attention. the narrator was wonderful. will be recommending to others. love

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Living History

Original Experiences for every listener. Time travelers and Historians will enjoy this unique story. I felt like I was experiencing the life in 1840’s south. I was seeing life through the eyes of the time traveler who was trying to understand why slaves didn’t kill their masters and their children but kept following orders.

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my favorite book

had to laugh when the reader said la Canada instead of La Canàda other than that little snafu loved it all over again!

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Well written, well read, seems well researched

I'm not usually a fan of sci-fi, or history, or African American issues and although this book was heavy on all 3, I really liked it. Most the time. The book is so well written and REAL, there were times it was just too much for me to hear how ugly we humans can be to each other. The author is an amazing talent, subtly capturing the mindset of the time, realizing we humans can normalize about anything. I had to put the audio away several times as it was just too horrible, one ugly thing happening after another. Then I would find myself drawn back in again...
I read the reviews of this book, some were negative, calling parts of it unbelievable. Not for me. I found the book to have a much deeper meaning about human nature and the times...moral evolution--I hope we have evolved. I'm examining the mindsets of today. We are still capable of justifying the way we bargains and blackmail to serve our fears and needs. This book is NOT sci-fi fluff.

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