Kindred

By: Octavia E. Butler

Narrated by: Kim Staunton

Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins

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)

amazing

This book was amazing. How easily and often we say what we would have done if were around in the days of slavery never fully having an idea of how things really were in that time. Listening in school will never give you an idea of what our people really went through because according to text book Slavery was only good enough for maybe a week discussion. This book put so many things into perspective when it comes to slavery. The author really had to get in touch with her inner self and even more her ancestral history. This book is a must read and also re-read. I have listened to this book over and over because it really makes you look at the life we are blessed with differently. We are blessed beyond measure and this book could not have been more eye opening for me. This was my first time with this author but i have already purchased more books by her.

powerful story

this novel is gripping to say the very least. by far the most thought provoking historical fiction book I've ever "read" taking pla

One word...spellbinding.

I was captivated by every twist and turn. The story grew increasingly interesting. I loved it.

Great story

Loved the reading. Forty years later, the book is just as entertaining and interesting. Will recommend

absolutely captivating

the author did an amazing job to make this story so visually striking. The narration was superb. it's was very easy to draw up visually imagery that kept my mind wondering what would happen next. I loved everything about this book.

The best book I’ve read this year

The author is an incredible story teller with interesting and well developed characters and an original spin on time-travel. It’s both an engrossing read for entertainment and soothing to the intellect and social awareness with valid and important themes on social justice.

Powerful!

Such a hard read! As a Black Man, I felt every abuse. Presentation is awesome.

Simply an outstanding story!

This was an assigned reading in one of my college courses. I read/listened to completion in 4 days, it was that good!! The dark gory history, the depravity, the raw emotion of slavery in Maryland was captivating. To have it told by a woman of color in the 1970s who is witnessing it first hand and living it with the knowledge she has of the future was so interesting! This is a book that is hard to put down! 10/10 would recommend.

A Different Version of Roots

I agree with all the previous reviews that this story is a must read for everyone, especially high school and college students, and any adult who still thinks slavery wasn’t as bad as it is made out to be.
Ms. Butler cleverly weaves a tale of time travel for a young African-American woman, Dana, living in 1976 California, who repeatedly needs to return to 1815 Maryland, in order to save her ancestor Rufus, from his own self-imposed disasters, so that he can father her own great grandmother a few times removed. Told from Dana’s perspective, and performed expertly by Ms. Staunton, we learn first hand of the inhumanity that was slavery. We also understand that this inhuman way of thinking caused the post Civil War South to take much too long to reach any kind of compassion and fair mindedness towards African-American people in general.
The ending feels abrupt, and very tragic, but it seems Dana had no choice if she is to save herself.
Dana and Kevin’s relationship prove that we can all live together in peace, if only we tried.

best listen i've had in a while

captivating story with a great narrator. i didn't want it to end and will probably listen again.