Comments on: Friday Hoyden: Octavia Butler, by Guest Hoyden Chally

By: Bene

Bene — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:52:02 +0000

Sometimes I feel like I haven’t read a lot, but then I went to Feminist SF’s bibliography to make up a list for Chally’s interview questions, and discovered that I had. I should write a whole post on feminist SF in America…I wish I knew what was published elsewhere as I find my readership is fairly global. Although I will say that Australian Justine Larbalestier wrote what I consider the definitive scholarly work on women in SF, and I need to buy a copy.

Right now I’m reading L. Timmel Duchamp’s first Marq’ssan Cycle book, and it’s sort of on the level of hit you over the head with a brick, a la Sheri Tepper.

By: Octavia E. Butler died three years ago today « Zero at the Bone

Octavia E. Butler died three years ago today « Zero at the Bone — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 10:17:56 +0000

[...] (with some more on race) and here are a few posts on Doctor Who. Further edit: This post has been republished at Hoyden About [...]

By: Chally

Chally — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 09:57:19 +0000

Yes, Sophie, I second your comment at 3!
Beppie: I’d like that very much. :)
Nick and Brigindo: you’re most welcome.
DEM: yeah, when I first encountered her work, a light went on in my brain. I felt bad about never having heard of her before. I mean, there are heaps of poorly written stories in the world getting lots of attention, the fabulous Octavia Butler should be more widely promoted. I only heard of her through doing research into US-based feminist science fiction communities.
I couldn’t agree more, Bene! She’s powerful no matter your tastes.

By: Sophie

Sophie — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:30:03 +0000

Beppie: wow, thanks! Someone recced that place to me recently and I totally forgot to check it out. Cheap, easy, AND they have Octavia Butler…

By: Bene

Bene — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:01:15 +0000

I have to second Chally’s recommendation. Great writer, meaningful and powerful work, so much courage to be a black woman in the SF field. Even if you’re not into SF, her writing is accessible and really masterful.

By: links for 2009-02-27 « Embololalia

links for 2009-02-27 « Embololalia — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:12:04 +0000

[...] Friday Hoyden: Octavia Butler, by Guest Hoyden Chally — Hoyden About Town Octavia Estelle Butler was a leading light of the science fiction world, black, a woman, a lesbian, where white men dominated. (tags: sf/f race gender lgbt bookrecs writing) [...]

By: Brigindo

Brigindo — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:09:03 +0000

I discovered Octavia Butler many years ago (starting with Bloodchild) and recently reread all of her work in chronological order. She is as amazing and ground-breaking as you describe her here. She is the first author I give to students and younger friends who are searching for something to read or think they don’t like science fiction. Thanks for the beautiful post.

By: Deus Ex Macintosh

Deus Ex Macintosh — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:17:09 +0000

I am ashamed to say I've never even heard of her. That will however be corrected very shortly. Deus Ex Macintosh's last blog post..Greed is Good(win)

By: SunlessNick

SunlessNick — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:47:17 +0000

Thankyou Chally.

By: Beppie

Beppie — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 07:50:57 +0000

Sophie — I just did a quick check, and a number of Butler’s books are available from The Book Depository — this is a British online bookstore, but they do NOT charge a cent (or a penny, as it may be) for postage. I often find that, even with the exchange rate, buying a book from there is cheaper than buying it from a bookshop in Australia.

Chally — I may take you up on that offer of a loan. Perhaps I can loan you “Battlefield” in return? :)