A Gift from Octavia Butler
Unexpected Stories
Octavia E. Butler
Many thanks to Netgalley and Subterranean Press for sending me and ARC in exchange for an honest review! #UnexpectedStories #NetGalley #Subpress
This book is an actual treasure! Unexpected Stories consists of two never before published early stories by Octavia Butler, a beautiful foreword by Nisi Shawl, and an afterward by the executor of Butler's literary estate.
Nisi Shawl's introduction had me crying (I am a crier, and am not ashamed). She speaks about the power of Octavia's words, and about how the world we live in is hard, and not fair, but is also full of sweetness. Getting the gift of two stories by my favorite author, who shaped the landscape of speculative fiction at a fundamental level, is a moment of deep sweetness.
On to the stories!
I can't say much about the first, longer story, A Necessary Being, without spoilers. It is about two groups of people meeting in a rigidly hierarchical society, when both groups are fairly desperate. It seems that there is no possible outcome for this meeting that will be positive for both parties. And yet, they find a way. Showing my deep Star Trek nerdery: this story gave me Kobayashi Maru vibes, and it was a lovely reminder that even in the worst circumstance, hope is possible.
The Childfinder is about a society where some people have psychic abilities. There is an organizing body of Psys, and they are definitely nefarious. There is also only one person who can identify children with latent psychic powers, the narrator, who is trying to protect the children. This story engages with themes of race, oppression and resistance/liberation movements, and I was entirely enthralled, but it felt like it was a glimpse into a much larger world and I was startled when it ended. I wish there was more, but I'm grateful that I got to read this much!
