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.

©2000 Octavia Butler (P)2000 Recorded Books, LLC African American Fantasy Science Fiction Time Travel Scary Suspenseful Thought-Provoking African Fantasy

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: The Essential Octavia Butler—A Listening List for Fans and Newcomers Alike


Octavia E. Butler was a renowned Black author who wrote in, and revolutionized, the science fiction genre. Her body of work, including such acclaimed novels as Kindred and Parable of the Sower, is lauded for its trenchant social commentary and continued pertinence. When it comes to sci-fi, there are few authors more impactful than Octavia E. Butler. Here's everything you need to know about the visionary writer.

Featured Article The Essential Octavia Butler A Listening List for Fans and Newcomers Alike

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

Powerful Storytelling • Unflinching Historical Portrayal • Distinct Character Voices • Emotional Impact • Unique Premise
Highly rated for:
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This is a bit along the same lines. The only thing that bothered me was the lack of emotion around the horrors the character saw. She seemed almost resigned and clinical about it unless she was actively experiencing said horrors. That grated on me a little. I thought a little social commentary and interest was called for.

Having said that I enjoyed the book and I liked the premise.

The narrator was reasonable, did not add or detract from the story.

If you liked Outlander....

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This is my fist book by Butler, but it will not be my last. Though the start may be a little slow for some readers, Kindred takes the reader through many levels of emotions and some great twists and turns. And Kim Staunton does a wonderful job giving characters their voices. I really enjoyed Kindred.

A side note: before lockdown, the last book I finished was Alex Haley's Roots, which opened my eyes to the extent of the horrors of slavery in the U.S., and Butler's Kindred is the first book I've finished since then. I didn't plan it that way, but I HIGHLY recommend that order for anyone, as Roots really set me up well for deeply feeling Ms. Butler's characters and their harsh realities.

Powerful story, great narrator

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I read this for a book club and I am so thrilled that I did. I loved the storyline. Amazing narration!!

Amazing Book

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Staunton’s performance was spectacular and truly haunting. Octavia Butler’s story of a black woman being transported to the antebellum south on a plantation was gripping, the relationship she developed with the slaves was heart wrenching. Classic sci-fi, should be a part of the curriculum in school

Haunting

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Octavia knows how to tell stories and I loved the narration. Easy to get lost in the story.

Love.

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What about Kim Staunton’s performance did you like?

Though the book has a sci-fi time travel element in it, the narrator put a lot of heart into her performance. she made the readers empathise with the characters and make them seem real through her excellent voice acting.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

My heart was wrung and mangled by the time i finished the book. i was deeply affected and indignated on how cruel the world was on black folks and that once upon a crude, crude time, slavery did exist. I have so much respect for them now more than ever, for enduring and rising above such hardships.

Any additional comments?

This book is a must read. I am frankly surprised that this hasn't been made into a movie yet and am hoping it would be translated to the big screen soon, to reach a larger audience.

THIS BOOK DESERVES TO BE MADE INTO A MOVIE

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The audio helped me to understand the book better. Although, she do read kind of slow, her tone makes you understand what the people are saying better so that you can separate the characters from who is saying what

it was great

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This book is filled with the things that make a great story. Love, hate, fear, humanity, and even history.

The story itself is a complex journey that is well written. I love how Ms. Butler ensured that characters had depth and weren't simply stereotypes. I also liked the trajectory of the story. This book could have EASILY been convoluted and hard to follow but the author showed skill in weaving a time traveling tale with multiple characters into a coherent story that made perfect sci-fi sense.

The narration was one of the best I've ever heard. Ms. Staunton reads clearly without being choppy. Her voice changes are unique enough to distinguish the different characters without being a caricature.

Overall, this was an amazing story and a great adventure into a complicated time.

Amazing Story

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I enjoyed listing to this book. I often imagine what it would be like going back in time. The author gives great details. it was like I could see everything through her eyes.

Good read

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The premise of the story was off putting, the idea of my modern self being time traveled into slavery era south... No thank you! But after I got into the story, I was hooked. There is a rich story that takes a very in depth look at what would make one a slave. Questions I've often asked myself, that Butler examines fully and completely. The contrast and similarities between Dana's time and the past were well drawn up. Really pointing out how far we have to go.

I was leery at first...

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