55 pages • 1 hour read •
Kindred
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Book Brief
264
Novel • Fiction
California And Maryland • 1970s and 1810s
1979
Beacon Press
Adult
16+ years
580L
Super Short Summary
In Octavia E. Butler's novel Kindred, a young Black woman named Dana Franklin time travels between 1976 and 1800s Maryland, tethered to a white ancestor, Rufus Weylin. As she navigates the brutal realities of slavery, Dana learns how deeply her past is linked to Rufus and must adapt to survive while striving to ensure her own future. The book includes depictions of suicide, sexual assault, sexual coercion, and graphic violence.
Dark
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Emotional
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
254,215 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Octavia E. Butler's Kindred receives high praise for its compelling narrative and powerful handling of complex themes like slavery and racial injustice. Readers laud its emotional depth and unique blend of science fiction and historical fiction. Some critique the graphic violence, finding it distressing. Overall, it's celebrated as an impactful, thought-provoking work.
Who Should Read Kindred?
Readers who enjoy Kindred by Octavia E. Butler are typically fans of speculative fiction intertwined with historical narratives. They often appreciate themes of social justice and complex character dynamics. Comparable titles include The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood and Beloved by Toni Morrison, which likewise explore power, identity, and resilience.
254,215 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
RUFUS WEYLIN
RUFUS WEYLIN
Rufus is Dana’s white, great-great-grandfather in Kindred. As a child, he initially forms a bond with Dana, but as he grows, he struggles with the societal norms of his time. He holds power over Dana, as he can summon her back in time, and their relationship evolves throughout the novel.
KEVIN FRANKLIN
KEVIN FRANKLIN
Kevin is Dana’s white husband in Kindred. Initially skeptical of Dana's time travel, he becomes a supportive figure once he witnesses it firsthand. He is relatively progressive for his time, marrying Dana despite societal and familial pressures, but struggles to fully understand Dana's experiences due to his own privilege.
Kindred was first published in June 1979, and it blurred the lines between science fiction and historical fiction, creating a unique narrative that has since become a classic in both genres.
Octavia E. Butler consciously chose to use a female African American protagonist in Kindred to explore themes of racial injustice and identity, which was a groundbreaking approach at the time for speculative fiction.
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264
Novel • Fiction
California And Maryland • 1970s and 1810s
1979
Beacon Press
Adult
16+ years
580L
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