This odd series I didn't find too interesting. Maybe I would if I was an invading alien sex therapist. This is almost a horror story, with how creepy it is in parts. Condescending aliens treating people at times how people treat animals, which perhaps it part of the point?

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2006/11... ( )

Dawn is a rather simple book. At least the writing is but the simplicity in the writing magnifies the talent of Butler. As someone who normally would never normally read a book catogorized as science fiction, the fact that Butler was able to trap my attention and make the story more about space aliens and a destroyed earth, shows her talent.

Dawn is more than a story about the Oankali preparing humans to return to other in order to procreate a new species but more about what it means to be human and the vastness of human experience and personality. When the story first opens the reader learn that the Oankali have chosen Lilith to train other humans and prepare for the return to Earth. The illusion of the given that Lilith is chosen because of her strength. But as the story progress one thinks that maybe Lilith is chosen because she is easily manipulated and take things at face value.

The beauty about the characters in Dawn is that readers do not become connected with them but see them as players in a movie. As a detached the reader is able to pick out bits and pieces of themselves from each character and question how would they act in the same situation.

Butler not only questions human nature but she also question how we function in society. Earth was destroyed by a nuclear war, when the story was written in the 1980's the US's major advisory was the Russia. The conflict transcends the eighties and is prevalent for issues the world face today (replace Russia with North Korea or Iran or both).

Human beings are more alike than different-dame sure more alike than we like to admit. I wonder if the same thing wouldn't have happened eventually, no matter which two cultures gained the ability to wipe one another out along with the rest of the world. pg. 133

There is no real conclusion in this book but Butler ends the first book and prepares the reader for the next one.

Pros: Writing, Character, Question
Cons: None ( )

This is a magnificent science fiction exploration of a strange and truly alien relationship between a " " alien race and humanity. This is dialogue-heavy so far, but the ideas are strong and the emotions are powerful. Like nothing else I've ever read.

I have so many wonderful books to read right now, from the library and recent cheap-cheap-book buys, that I let my wife pick a number from 1 to 9. Four yielded this book. I like randomness! My wife is going to be my dice from now on. ( )

One of my favorite science fiction authors. Her books feature dystopian futures with hopeful veins shot through them. This is the first of the xenogenesis series (a trilogy) about humans becoming a new species by blending with the Oankali (a peaceful space faring people) and the predictable xenophobia that results. ( )

Since I've been on LibraryThing I keep coming across the name Octavia Butler. I had never heard of her before. Then I began noticing her name on multiple awards lists, my housemates and people I knew were reading her books--I heard nothing but good things about Butler. Finally, I decided it was about time that I read something of hers myself.

For a variety of reasons, I chose to start with Dawn, the first book of the Xenogenesis series. It is followed by Adulthood Rites and Imago--all three books have also been collected into a single volume called Lilith's Brood.

After humanity has destroyed itself itself in a nuclear holocaust, the few survivors are saved by an alien race known as the Oankali and put into suspended animation. Lilith Iyapo is chosen by them to become the leader, teacher, and protector of the first group of humans to be returned to Earth. But before this can happen, she must first learn to live with and accept the Oankali, who are terrifying in their differences. And they are not entirely innocent in their seemingly magnanimous efforts to save the human race--humanity may be changed forever.

Lilith is a fascinating character who develops tremendously as the novel progresses--she's not shallow or static. Particularly important to her development are her interactions and relationships with the Oankali and subsequently her interactions and relationships to her fellow humans. Needless to say--it's complicated.

I was completely blown away by this book and the amount of thought-provoking material packed into a rather small volume. Almost constantly, I was reminded of the issues brought up in Radical Evolution by Joel Garreau. What exactly makes us human? Sex, sexuality, gender, violence, and relationships are only some of the issues that are addressed.

Dawn is definitely one of the best books that I've read in a while. With it, Butler has easily moved into the ranks of my favorite authors. I plan to read more of her work--basically anything I can get my hands on--starting with the next two books in Xenogenesis.

Experiments in Reading ( )