Bloodchild and Other Stories

By: Octavia E. Butler

Narrated by: Janina Edwards

Length: 5 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's Summary

Six remarkable stories from a master of modern science fiction. Octavia E. Butler's classic "Bloodchild," winner of both the Nebula and Hugo awards, anchors this collection of incomparable stories and essays. "Bloodchild" is set on a distant planet where human children spend their lives preparing to become hosts for the offspring of the alien Tlic. Sometimes the procedure is harmless, but often it is not. Also included is the Hugo Award - winning "Speech Sounds," about a near future in which humans must adapt after an apocalyptic event robs them of their ability to speak. In this audiobook, Butler shows us life on Earth and amongst the stars, telling her tales with characteristic imagination and clarity.

©1996 Octavia E. Butler (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Good stories, well narrated

I really enjoyed these short stories by Octavia Butler that I am ashamed to admit I had not heard of or read before. Sci for stories that can give insight to societal problems, though they are cloaked in an imaginative story of what ifs. This author has a great imagination and I love both the stories and her afterward explanations of what inspired her to write each one and what she was thinking. The narrator was very good also. I will be reading and listening to more from this author.

New Fan

I listened to Kindred, enjoyed it, and went on to this. I normally don't like short stories--they leave me either empty or frustrated for more. These stories were excellent, however. I just bought Dawn because I'm intrigued by Octavia Butler's imagination and compelling writing style.

what a hell of an imagination, wow!

perhaps my favorite collection of short stories. so vivid and challenging. uncomfortable, beautiful, and human.

Exquisite short stories

All the stories were interesting, some were completely enthralling. Bloodchild, The Evening and the Morning and the Night, Speech Sounds, and Amnesty are just amazing. I was sad when they ended and couldn’t listen to more. This collection is my first introduction to Butler’s writing. Officially hooked. The narrator emotes well and subtly differentiates between characters. A good starter for what I hope will be my new favorite author.

Thought provoking stories

Ms. Edwards narration was delightful and added to the stories' richness as well as giving the listener a sense of connection to Octavia Butler's insightful essays.

Brilliantly Written

After listening to Sirius Satellite Radio the Karen Hunter show, Octavia Butler was an author Karen stated that she had read and that she was African American. i immediately searched Audible for books written by the author and was at once engulfed into the stories wanting them to be much longer. Science fiction has often been a favorite of mine and I was proud to know that a Woman African American author was writing in the category. I have many credits to use and will be using them for more of Octavia Butler books and other authors as well.

Typically Butler

By which I mean, stellar, unique, creative and wonderful. Aliens which are supremely GROSS, Aliens who aren't gross, but interesting, cultural solidarity,, vampires-ish, powerful women, super powers, a conversation with god, and more. All characters feel authentic and real. The suspension of disbelief never disturbs me in Octavia Butler's work and worlds. I can't turn away.

Brilliant!

This is my first foray into this authors' work. The stories and essays were wonderfully written and thought-provoking, the narration a perfect fit. The afterwords were a great inclusion.

I'm looking forward to listening to more of Octavia E. Butlers' work in the future!

Unique and engaging

Just as amazing as any other Butler book, but getting to hear so many of her stories in one collection is very special. It's like a glimpse into her mind and all its creative genius. So sad that we won't have any more books from her.

Reader was a good match and did a great job bringing the stories to life.

excellent material, ok narrator

Octavia Butler is amazing- loved this collection, loved the afterwords after each story. narrator was fine, not distractingly bad or anything, just wasn't spectacular.

Average

The first few stories are OK but it goes down the hill in the last ones. Cheap morality about "the environment" or Guantánamo Bay are neither entertaining nor educative.

a sparkling collection of short stories

I am a massive fan of Octavia Butler's novels and series so it was great to spend some time with the short stories. I also really enjoyed the afterwords, where Butler wrote a little more about the references and origins of the stories, and the process of writing.