A Man With An Agenda

Written in 1993 and set in 2024, Butler's vision of a future America in decline at the mercy of climate change, corporate greed, government corruption and unchecked poverty, still seems very possible. I especially liked the restraint with which this was written and Butler's emphasis on race, gender and economics.

Lauren Olamina grows up in her community, a cluster of 11 houses protected, like many others, by a wall that keeps out predators and the growing number of desperate poor. Robledo, a former bedroom community of L.A., is much changed. America still exists, and there is a modern world out there, but it is harder to reach and dangerous for those without money. The adults bemoan the changes to the world and wish for the good days to come back, but for Lauren and her peers a life restricted to their cul-de-sac is normal. 

Additionally, Lauren has a weakness that is kept hidden outside her immediate family. Her deceased mother had been an addict of a smart drug that permanently altered body chemistry. Lauren inherited hyper-empathy - she feels the pain and pleasure of others when she witnesses it. In their world on the brink of chaos this is a dangerous trait to have.

Though their life is normal and privileged compared to many, Lauren can't help but notice the decay around her. Pressures outside are harder, more and more within their close-knit community can't find work and the prospects of her generation are bleak indeed. Lauren becomes obsessed with change at a young age and tries to prepare for the inevitable collapse and "discovering" the new religion of Earthseed.

Half of the novel is spent in Robledo, the other half follows Lauren and some companions on the road to a better life up North. The novel is bleak and the reader is shielded from it in part by Lauren's often flat narration. This may be a byproduct of her conditioning to show no emotion, but it works in a way. The novel gets a bit preachy, and Lauren is totally a cult leader, but her philosophy of accepting and preparing for change works a hell of a lot better than traditional thinking. 

This was good, the open ending paves the way for the sequel, but a sequel isn't strictly necessary.

Earthseed

Next: 'Parable of the Talents'