Parable of the Talents Book Summary

In 'Parable of the Talents' by Octavia E. Butler, the world is in chaos as societal collapse looms and oppressive regimes rise. Lauren Olamina, a fiercely determined survivor with a vision, seeks to forge a new path grounded in her belief system called Earthseed. As she gathers followers, her journey is fraught with danger, loss, and betrayal, forcing her to confront the darkest aspects of humanity. With breathtaking prose, Butler explores themes of resilience, faith, and the potential for change in dire circumstances. Will Lauren's dream of a better future prevail against overwhelming odds?

By Octavia E. Butler

Published: 2019

""The only way to deal with the future is to create it.""

Book Review of Parable of the Talents

Originally published in 1998, this shockingly prescient novel's timely message of hope and resistance in the face of fanaticism is more relevant than ever. In 2032, Lauren Olamina has survived the destruction of her home and family, and realized her vision of a peaceful community in northern California based on her newly founded faith, Earthseed. The fledgling community provides refuge for outcasts facing persecution after the election of an ultra-conservative president who vows to "make America great again." In an increasingly divided and dangerous nation, Lauren's subversive colony--a minority religious faction led by a young black woman--becomes a target for President Jarret's reign of terror and oppression. Years later, Asha Vere reads the journals of a mother she never knew, Lauren Olamina. As she searches for answers about her own past, she also struggles to reconcile with the legacy of a mother caught between her duty to her chosen family and her calling to lead humankind into a better future.

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"The only way to deal with the future is to create it."

Parable of the Talents

By Octavia E. Butler