Wild Seed
I've read enough of Butler's work at this point that I can't help but compare this book to her others. Certain things keeps popping up - long timelines, characters who gradually compromise their morals, and, of course, supernatural powers.
From the beginning, Anyanwu reminded me strongly of the Ooloi of the Oankali in Butler's Xenogenesis series. She has the same long life, the same ability to alter her own body which leads to incredible healing abilities. But Anyanwu differs from the Ooloi in that she can only heal herself, and in that she's comparatively reclusive. All she wants is a family.
Enter Doro, who inhabits the other qualities of the Ooloi: a fascination with genetics and a tendency to disregard humans as nothing more than breeding stock - pawns in his millenia-long experiments. But what Doro really wants is someone like him, not for companionship so much as the knowledge that he isn't alone in the universe.
The book follows the push and pull between Doro and Anyanwu over 150 years. They go from lovers to enemies to friends. At the beginning of their relationship, Doro has all the power, and no compunctions about using it, or lying to get what he wants. Anyanwu struggles to find a way to humanize him, or at the very least keep her children safe from him. When that ultimately fails, she abandons him and goes into hiding, which eventually forces him to realize how much he needs her.
The relationship between these two immortal beings was fascinating, especially because they have such different views of other humans. Their moral codes are nothing alike. Butler does a good job of illuminating Doro's point of view without excusing it, and of showing Anyanwu's inner struggles as she sacrifices again and again in the hopes that he can be reasoned with.
This book was uncomfortable. But, as with all Butler's work, it was uncomfortable in a way that made me think. She doesn't shy away from reprehensible characters, nor does she allow anyone to be completely innocent. In the process she creates these fascinating worlds and characters that leave my brain buzzing.
From the beginning, Anyanwu reminded me strongly of the Ooloi of the Oankali in Butler's Xenogenesis series. She has the same long life, the same ability to alter her own body which leads to incredible healing abilities. But Anyanwu differs from the Ooloi in that she can only heal herself, and in that she's comparatively reclusive. All she wants is a family.
Enter Doro, who inhabits the other qualities of the Ooloi: a fascination with genetics and a tendency to disregard humans as nothing more than breeding stock - pawns in his millenia-long experiments. But what Doro really wants is someone like him, not for companionship so much as the knowledge that he isn't alone in the universe.
The book follows the push and pull between Doro and Anyanwu over 150 years. They go from lovers to enemies to friends. At the beginning of their relationship, Doro has all the power, and no compunctions about using it, or lying to get what he wants. Anyanwu struggles to find a way to humanize him, or at the very least keep her children safe from him. When that ultimately fails, she abandons him and goes into hiding, which eventually forces him to realize how much he needs her.
The relationship between these two immortal beings was fascinating, especially because they have such different views of other humans. Their moral codes are nothing alike. Butler does a good job of illuminating Doro's point of view without excusing it, and of showing Anyanwu's inner struggles as she sacrifices again and again in the hopes that he can be reasoned with.
This book was uncomfortable. But, as with all Butler's work, it was uncomfortable in a way that made me think. She doesn't shy away from reprehensible characters, nor does she allow anyone to be completely innocent. In the process she creates these fascinating worlds and characters that leave my brain buzzing.
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