I was really starting to get into her writting too... how sad Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
Anyone recommend a story of hers? I suddenly feel the urge to read her work.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
Wild Seed is the book that OSC used as an example time and time again in his book How To Write Science Fiction and Fantasy. I think that either Noemon or Slash said that he thinks it's the most perfect novel he's ever read.
The Xenogenesis trilogy is what got me into her when OSC mentioned it as an excellent example of a depiction of aliens that are truly alien.
I think my personal favorite of all her books is Kindred.
Posted by Amanecer (Member # 4068) on :
That's horrible. I love her work and what she expressed of herself through it.
Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
NO!
Crap!
This is worse than when Heinlein died. At least Heinlein left us with so many books!
Octavia Butler only gave us... what, 13? and I've already read them all!
='( *sob*
Pix
Posted by Will B (Member # 7931) on :
Octavia Butler, brilliant master of sci-fi, dies at 58
I'm very sad. I loved Wild Seed and the Xenogensis trilogy. Posted by kitmarlowescot2 (Member # 9176) on :
Oh man and i started another thread about her, I loved her books. Apparently she wasn't in the best health before she passed away.
Posted by Dav (Member # 8217) on :
Just a couple months ago I read Wild Seed and was really impressed with it. What a terrible sad surprise that there won't be any more such works from her brilliant imagination.
Posted by neo-dragon (Member # 7168) on :
How sad. There were already too few African Americans (especially women) adding their voices to the mix in the science fiction genre.
I read "Parable of the Sower" last summer. That was the only one of her works I've read.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Wild Seed took a very difficult style of writing, with some really interesting and difficult topics, and made a great story from them. Most writers would never have even tried to be that ambitious, and those that did try it would have failed.
I wish she had written more. Posted by OlavMah (Member # 756) on :
This is tragic. Octavia was my first week instructor at Clarion West. She was an amazing, serene, and dignified woman with this great dry sense of humor. Her first lesson (a novel needs to be about one thing - then she went around the room asking us to come up with one line novel plots; to some she said yes, others no) made no sense to me at the time, but as the years roll on, I understand it more and more. Nowadays sometimes I'll put down a book and the light will go on and I'll think, "Octavia would have said no to this plot!"
And yes, she didn't write anywhere near enough books. I can't help but wonder what new frontiers she would have rolled back in the coming years. She should have lived to be made a SFWA Grand Master. This is just so sad!
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
So, OlavMah, are there any of my favorite authors that you *aren't* acquainted with?
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
I just saw this news and my first though was to come here.
It's nice to find that a thread had already been posted and much of what I thought upon hearing of Butler's passing has already been said. Thank you.
And, of course, Octavia already was a Grand Master. I too am said about the work that she will not write, but am gratified that what she did write was of such quality -- even perfection.
Let's hope that the mainstream media gives this news the attention it deserves.
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