Preview
  • Unexpected Stories

  • Two Novellas
  • By: Octavia E. Butler
  • Narrated by: Robin Miles
  • Length: 2 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (244 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

Unexpected Stories

By: Octavia E. Butler
Narrated by: Robin Miles
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $9.45

Buy for $9.45

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

This exciting collection presents two previously unpublished stories by SF legend Octavia E. Butler.

A Necessary Being precedes the events of Survivor, Butler's third (famously disowned) installment in her Patternist series, and includes characters from it, focusing exclusively on the Kohn, aliens who build their social hierarchies on the blueness of their fur.

In Childfinder, a black woman with the gift of identifying children with latent psychic ability refuses to share her skill with an organization of white telepaths.

©2014 Octavia E. Butler (P)2018 Recorded Books
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

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.

What listeners say about Unexpected Stories

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    164
  • 4 Stars
    55
  • 3 Stars
    18
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    2
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    159
  • 4 Stars
    41
  • 3 Stars
    6
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    141
  • 4 Stars
    40
  • 3 Stars
    18
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Always Interesting

Octavia Butler is one of my favorite authors. She baits you in and takes you on a journey. Nothing is different with these two novellas. She left me wanting to know how the two stories characters will continue in there worlds. I was fully invested and my only let down was there wasn't anymore to read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Print vs Audio

I like reading print, touching paper, turning the page, and stopping to insert a book mark when I read a book. But, I realize the audio format will help me with words that are difficult to pronounce. So now, I will review with an audio format first then read the paper format, because it is more environmentally friendly for the atmosphere on Earth and digital format is harmful to my eyes.

I do love Octavia E. Butler's stories. I read almost all of her books, but I am saddened that her book, Survivor, is unreachable to people like me that can't afford to purchase a new or used copy. I want to read it, so I ask that Doubleday to reprint it. Business wise more money would be gained due the supply and demand for it. Instead of people making "PDF" copies of it and passing it around.
Peace Out!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great

It's very hard to go wrong with an octavia buttler book. I've liked almost every single one.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fine getaway experience.

Having never read or listened to any Octavia E. Butler's creations, I thoroughly enjoyed these two novellas. Adding in Robin Miles' narration and I had the full package of nuanced storytelling and truly excellent writing. No summaries here, simply an exclamation of 2 hour and 24 minutes of pleasurable listening.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I'm a huge O . Butler stan. great work!

This shirt work was very enjoyable. O.B. at her finest. I'm hungry for more. Excellent narration

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing Short Read

I am always amazed at how I easily allow myself to accept the worlds that Butler effortlessly creates. This was my first time reading her shorter works and each one made me want more. She approaches issues of tolerance, peace, power, land stewardship, aging, psychic gifts and more like no other. Dig in!

And I will read ANYTHING that Robin Miles narrates. She's incredible!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

amazing as usual!

I am a Butler fan from way back. These stories are worth a good listen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Long Live Octavia Butler's Masterful Storytelling

These stories made me even more grateful for Octavia Butler's resolve to share her gift and make the reader feel through words. They also made me miss her equally.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

AWESOME!

I'm not surprised that these novellas were soooooo great. I wish she were alive for more!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

You Can See the Genesis of later works

Sacrifice to make a future is the strongest theme that runs through these works. Speaks to us now across the years.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!