Kindred, written by Octavia Butler, explores the societal climate of the antebellum South. The story centers on Dana who travels back in time to Maryland, circa 1815. Dana is disturbed at how easy it is to embrace slavery as normal. Despite having grown up in 1976 California, Dana finds herself drawn into the life of slaves. She shares their burden and pain, ending up bloodied and beaten. As the story develops, Dana discovers the power ones surroundings has on shaping who a person is and how they act.
Octavia Butler’s Kindred illustrates the complexities and nuances of slavery and the racial attitudes of the time. It definitely makes for an important and powerful read.
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