• Unexpected Stories

  • Two Novellas
  • By: Octavia E. Butler
  • Narrated by: Robin Miles
  • Length: 2 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (226 ratings)

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Unexpected Stories  By  cover art

Unexpected Stories

By: Octavia E. Butler
Narrated by: Robin Miles
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Publisher's summary

This exciting collection presents two previously unpublished stories by SF legend Octavia E. Butler.

A Necessary Being precedes the events of Survivor, Butler's third (famously disowned) installment in her Patternist series, and includes characters from it, focusing exclusively on the Kohn, aliens who build their social hierarchies on the blueness of their fur.

In Childfinder, a black woman with the gift of identifying children with latent psychic ability refuses to share her skill with an organization of white telepaths.

©2014 Octavia E. Butler (P)2018 Recorded Books

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.

What listeners say about Unexpected Stories

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  • Overall
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Always Interesting

Octavia Butler is one of my favorite authors. She baits you in and takes you on a journey. Nothing is different with these two novellas. She left me wanting to know how the two stories characters will continue in there worlds. I was fully invested and my only let down was there wasn't anymore to read.

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Print vs Audio

I like reading print, touching paper, turning the page, and stopping to insert a book mark when I read a book. But, I realize the audio format will help me with words that are difficult to pronounce. So now, I will review with an audio format first then read the paper format, because it is more environmentally friendly for the atmosphere on Earth and digital format is harmful to my eyes.

I do love Octavia E. Butler's stories. I read almost all of her books, but I am saddened that her book, Survivor, is unreachable to people like me that can't afford to purchase a new or used copy. I want to read it, so I ask that Doubleday to reprint it. Business wise more money would be gained due the supply and demand for it. Instead of people making "PDF" copies of it and passing it around.
Peace Out!

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Great

It's very hard to go wrong with an octavia buttler book. I've liked almost every single one.

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Fine getaway experience.

Having never read or listened to any Octavia E. Butler's creations, I thoroughly enjoyed these two novellas. Adding in Robin Miles' narration and I had the full package of nuanced storytelling and truly excellent writing. No summaries here, simply an exclamation of 2 hour and 24 minutes of pleasurable listening.

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I'm a huge O . Butler stan. great work!

This shirt work was very enjoyable. O.B. at her finest. I'm hungry for more. Excellent narration

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  • C.
  • 12-06-20

Long Live Octavia Butler's Masterful Storytelling

These stories made me even more grateful for Octavia Butler's resolve to share her gift and make the reader feel through words. They also made me miss her equally.

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AWESOME!

I'm not surprised that these novellas were soooooo great. I wish she were alive for more!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing Short Read

I am always amazed at how I easily allow myself to accept the worlds that Butler effortlessly creates. This was my first time reading her shorter works and each one made me want more. She approaches issues of tolerance, peace, power, land stewardship, aging, psychic gifts and more like no other. Dig in!

And I will read ANYTHING that Robin Miles narrates. She's incredible!

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amazing as usual!

I am a Butler fan from way back. These stories are worth a good listen.

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Octavia B. is the John Coltrane of Scifi fantasy

This woman.... oh how I wish we had more time with her. For me she is the John Coltrane... the Nina Simone ... the Monk of Scifi fantasy I can read her stories over and over again... it hits me like a favorite jazz song.

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19 people found this helpful