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Parable of the Sower  By  cover art

Parable of the Sower

By: Octavia E. Butler
Narrated by: Lynne Thigpen
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Publisher's 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.

©1993 Octavia E. Butler (P)2000 Recorded Books, LLC

Featured Article: The Essential Octavia Butler—A Listening List for Fans and Newcomers Alike


Octavia E. Butler was a renowned Black author who wrote in, and revolutionized, the science fiction genre. Her body of work, including such acclaimed novels as Kindred and Parable of the Sower, is lauded for its trenchant social commentary and continued pertinence. When it comes to sci-fi, there are few authors more impactful than Octavia E. Butler. Here's everything you need to know about the visionary writer.

Editor's Pick

What expert dystopian fiction sounds like
"We lost the genius Octavia Butler far too soon, as evidenced by the close-to-home and all too imaginable dystopian future imagined in the Earthseed duology. Lynn Thigpen’s performance is a work of pure art. As one Audible listener (Amber) put it: "Her voice is raw silk, and her pacing and inflections are perfection, adding layers of meaning to a single word of dialog." Shivers."
Sam D., Audible Editor

What listeners say about Parable of the Sower

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Powerful. Urgent in 2020.

Gorgeously written. Super well read by Lynne Thigpen. The story is jarringly relevant today. Riveting.

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Worth your patience

This book was unique and spellbinding for the last two thirds

I recommend waiting it out and listening to the characters and the philosophy become more nuanced and enjoyable.

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Prolific!

I was depressed during most of this book, but wound up being optimistic. I can't wait to discuss it with people! It's just amazing that Butler wrote this book so many years ago, given where we are right now!

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Mesmerized

What a great story! From beginning to end the writer has you on the edge of your seat wondering what insane thing will happen next. I am buying the hard copy for my kids to read in the future.

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Thought provoking and insight book

I listened to read the 300+ page book in less than 3 days. I was immediately captured by the God Is Change philosophy of Parable of the Sower's young protagonist.

The question forced you to ask yourself the questions - are you ready for change, how are you birthing that change, and what community are you supporting and supporting you through that change?

Don't read PotS without have Parable of the Talents near by. Once you finish the last page of PotS, you will want to know what happens to Lauren Oya Olamina and her Earthseed community.

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Epic

Story & performance were visceral, gripping and shattering. I felt connected to the world within the first three minutes and still don't want to leave.

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Believable post apocalyptic America

Admiral black heroine, her journal entries and verses poignantly reveal a visionary intent on survival.

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worth the credit/exceeded my expectations

This was my 1st time reading an Octavia E. Butler novel. The genres I stick to are usually horror, sprinkled in with some sci-fi/post-apocalyptic/dystopian. If you're into that stuff, too, I highly recommend. I was quick to put more in my library & wishlist.

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read this book in high school over a decade ago.

this book rings true withthe world today. written during the Rodney king trials, it embodies so much of the American struggle.

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Change is the only constant

Change is the only constant and is divine. Here’s a story to help us reclaim our authorship of our reality. Octavia Butler has a beautiful and spot-on insight into the human potential . I listened to this book in 24 hours and was rather sad to reach the end. Her stories don’t really end, they live on and on in my mind and heart .

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