Kindred Audiobook By Octavia E. Butler cover art

Kindred

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Kindred

By: Octavia E. Butler
Narrated by: Kim Staunton
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The first science-fiction written by a Black woman, Kindred has become a cornerstone of African-American literature. This combination of slave memoir, fantasy, and historical fiction is a novel of rich literary complexity. 

Having just celebrated her 26th birthday in 1976 California, Dana, an African-American woman, is suddenly and inexplicably wrenched through time into antebellum Maryland. After saving a drowning White boy there, she finds herself staring into the barrel of a shotgun and is transported back to the present just in time to save her life. 

During numerous such time-defying episodes with the same young man, she realizes the challenge she's been given: to protect this young slaveholder until he can father her own great-grandmother. 

Author Octavia E. Butler skilfully juxtaposes the serious issues of slavery, human rights, and racial prejudice with an exciting science-fiction, romance, and historical adventure. Kim Staunton's narrative talent magically transforms the listener's earphones into an audio time machine.

 African American Classics Historical Fiction Time Travel Science Fiction Thought-Provoking Suspenseful Scary African Fantasy
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Critic reviews

"[Kindred] is a shattering work of art with much to say about love, hate, slavery and racial dilemmas, then and now." (Los Angeles Herald Examiner)

"Truly terrifying." (Essence)

"Butler's literary craftsmanship is superb." (The Washington Post Book World)

Featured Article: Classic Literature from Black Writers, Performed by Black Narrators


Despite the many great works of literature by great Black writers, Black voices have had a hard time entering "the canon." Worse, there have been times when Black words were miscast and read by narrators who didn't connect with the spirit of the authors. To help rectify this, we offer our careful selection of classics by Black authors performed by gifted Black actors that truly deserve to be recognized, celebrated, and savored.

Featured Article Classic Literature from Black Writers Performed by Black Narrators

Editor's Pick

Shakes you to your bones
"I approached Kindred about a year ago knowing it was a classic. I don’t usually do well with classics—I get impatient with old-fashioned language and plodding plots—but this wasn’t like that at all. I was thrown off my expectations from chapter one. This story is gripping and fast-paced and uncomfortable and every bit as genius as when it was first released forty years ago. Listening with Kim Staunton’s narration made it, if possible, even more hauntingly real. This one stays with you."
—Melissa B., Audible Editor

Compelling Time-travel Concept • Vivid Historical Immersion • Distinct Character Voices • Powerful Dual Timeline

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I have read many of Octavia's books so I was excited to see one of them here. Wish they had more, I would get them all. Anyway this book is very good and the reader is excellent. I didn't have any trouble keeping track of the characters even with one reader. The book is surreal and enveloping. You don't know what to think or what might happen. The book is disturbing at times because part of it occurs in the 1800s during slavery. This book is great stuff!!

Octavia is awesome!!

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This is pretty much a historical novel with a bit of SF icing, focusing almost exclusively on the relationships built between a mid-1970's modern black woman who is continually sent back in time to save an ancestor from an early death.

Really good listen

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For those of us who have never known the sorrows of the Old South -- and that's, well, all of us -- this book gives us a bitter taste.

The characters, setting, and ideas explored in this book are illuminating. The author and narrator make this surreal journey terrifyingly real; and while I am not sure that I see myself reading this book again, it has done its dark duty and left its mark in the best way possible.

My only regret is that I read this after King's 11-22-63. Had the reverse been true, my expectations for a modern time travel novel wouldn't have been so unfairly high and I could have enjoyed this book even more.

Learning the hard way

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, interesting story going back and forth between 2 different times.

What other book might you compare Kindred to and why?

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

What about Kim Staunton’s performance did you like?

I like the antebellum's southern accent that some of the characters had.

Kindred

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Engaging story and very well-executed. Character driven analysis of the "progress" of both the Black group in general and of women.

Time traveling slave

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