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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: 175+ of the Best Quotes from Black Authors, Activists, Entrepreneurs, and Artists to Celebrate Black History Month


Black History is American History. Whether writers, poets, activists, entertainers, scientists, entrepreneurs, or some combination thereof, Black people have frequently offered exactly the right words when they were needed most. This sweeping collection of wise, stirring, and thought-provoking words from Black Americans offers much to inspire all Americans.

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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Excellent read!

I highly recommend this excellently written historical fiction. The writing style, story told in first person narrative, beautifully shared the slave experience in a most understandable manner. Book should be mandatory in the K-12 curriculum, especially given the present racial climate in the US.

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great book

used for Ela class and it kept the students involved. they couldn't wait for next assignment.

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  • Overall
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What a great book!

What a great book! Gets across what life as slave might have been like, with a time travel twist.

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Great performance for a moving book

One of the most important books of our time, as relevant today as in 1979 when Octavia Butler (Rest in Power) published it. Racism, mental abuse and sexual abuse are all investigated in the sci-fi slave story. Kim Staunton is commanding and powerful in her reading, I'd happily listen to anything she records!

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INTENSE but GOOD

One of the most realistic looks into slavery I have ever read. Butler was an extraordinary writer. This book should be in the curriculum in High Schools and Colleges.

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Compelling story

What did you love best about Kindred?

I read Kindred a long time ago and really enjoyed it, so recently I decided to listen to it again through audible. The story draws you in with the interesting twist between historical events and time travel. I really did not care for the narration though and often felt the narrator presented the material in a voice that was too ambivalent for the harrowing story line.

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Powerful book

This is an amazing, powerful story that is wonderfully read. Given the current events, it is especially relevant. Don't miss it.

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Good listen

Creatively puts modern listener into slave's place with time travel as the vehicle to do so.

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wow.

its like a Connecticut Yankee in king Arthur's court but woke and very real, avoids graphic injury or sex so tern appropriate

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Beautiful and Painful

I love the writing. The feelings are deep and raw. Butler pulls at those heart strings making one feel all the feels with this historical fiction novel.
The narrator does a lovely job. I loved listening her voice, very in tuned with with writing.

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