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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: These Authors of Color Are Revolutionizing Horror—Listen If You Dare!


Fortunately, authors of color have revolutionized horror, enriching it with their voices and gifts of great storytelling while using the conventions of the genre to unpack the traumas of racism, sexism, classism, and more. The writers collected here are game changers, their mastery of the craft extraordinary. Whether you’re listening at home or on the go, you might want to make sure the area is brightly lit...and that there’s nothing lurking in the shadows.

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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  • KJ
  • 03-20-21

Amazing Book

I only wish I had listened to this book sooner. There was never a dull moment. My heart dropped every time Dana "traveled". Great writing, great narrating.

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  • Overall
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Amazing.

captivating. epic story. true classic from one of the greatest authors of all time. genius!

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Loved it!

Listened every chance I got! I was glued to this story, kept me always wanting to know more even after in its final words. Octavia is one of the best scifi novelist of our times, I am so grateful for her talent and work, her books never fail, so creative and interesting. The narrator's voice was great to listen to. absolutely love love love!

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    4 out of 5 stars

An interesting addition to the Time Travel genre.

I listened to this last year and had to think a minute before remembering it, but that's not a bad thing. It's just that I've listened to so many books since. My favorite time travel story is The Time Traveler's Wife, but that might partly be because it's closer to my experience of being a white woman living in West Michigan who travels frequently to Evanston, Illinois. This book, told from the viewpoint of an African-American woman (who I seem to remember is married to a white man), was gripping in how she deals with her time travel experience, what that experience is like, and how she and her partner deal with it. As our country tries to work its way through coming to terms with our past and how we all relate and work together today is all very relatable to any of us.
It's a relatively short book and I wouldn't mind revisiting it again.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Kept my Attention

I've never listened to a historical fiction book, hence 4 vers 5 stars. Took a bit to get engaged about 1/2 through. I listened to this for work. This book is full of a LOT of trauma, institutional & probably personal. Full of so much. I was sad near the end because I didn't want it to be done, even though the content was sad & horrible subject, racism & discrimination.

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    5 out of 5 stars

What if?

Being what reality is now and what it was then This on of the scariest books I have read in a long time. It is written to make you say What If.

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Immersive and relevant

I really enjoyed this book. The story felt part science fiction, part historical fiction. The writing is immersive, and the audiobook narrator does a good job at distinguishing between characters. I spent many hours with my eyes closed, just imagining the story. Although the book was written in the 70s and much of the story takes place in the 1800s, the topics it addresses are still relevant today. The story shows trauma, technology, racism, sexism, colorism, forgiveness, loneliness... And the the book never felt preachy. Instead, the book identifies a conflict, complicates it, offers different points of view, and leaves you to make your own opinions. I highly recommend this book to any fan of sci fi or history.

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Loved it!

This book was easy to follow. Always interesting. Couldn't wait for the next "episode"...kept me coming back!

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Great book!

Loved this book! the story was engaging and the narrator was so easy to listen to.

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Her writing is supreme

I loved this book it was so interesting and believable I love the way she explained everything and made it work. Good book

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