Bloodchild and Other Stories

Date

1995

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Four Walls Eight Windows

Abstract

Octavia E. Butler’s Bloodchild and Other Stories was first published in 1995. In 2005 expanded edition was released, containing two additional stories. It is a collection of seven science-fiction stories and two essays written by Butler, with each story and essay featuring an afterword by the author. "Bloodchild" describes the odd relationship between the beings named Tlic and a colony of humans who have escaped Earth and settled on the Tlic planet. Upon realizing that humans make excellent hosts for Tlic eggs, the Tlic decide to protect the humans, and in return demand that every family choose a child for implantation. “The Evening and the Morning and the Night” explores a world where a dangerous genetic disorder named “Duryea-Gode Disease” has caused the creation of a new social caste. "Near of Kin" shows a discussion between a girl and her uncle on the truth about who her father really is. "Speech Sounds" explores a universe where a virus has caused humans to no longer be able to speak, understand speech, or read. As a result of communication being jeopardized, society is highly affected by misunderstandings and conflicts. "Crossover" tells the tale of a solitary woman who works in an unsatisfactory factory job and struggles with alcohol addiction. In “Amnesty”, Noah, the protagonist, meets with potential human employees for the Communities, an alien species that has taken over Earth's desert areas. Having been abducted by the Communities as a child, Noah tries to convince the humans to conquer their fear of the aliens so they can thrive alongside them. In the final story, "The Book of Martha", God provides Martha with the duty of helping humans become less destructive. The first essay, titled "Positive Obsession", consists of a series of memories and reflections in which Butler depicts how, despite all the obstacles she had to overcome, she became a successful science-fiction writer, mainly due to her mother’s incentive. Finally, in "Furor Scribendi" Butler offers advice to new writers on the habits that bring about publication.

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