Reading Group Research Network Reading Group: Sci-fi World Building Octavia E. Butler

For the final reading group in our More-Than-Human Care Research Network series, we will be building on the ideas presented by Stephanie Moran and Keiken in their talk ‘Ecological Sci-fi’ by continuing to explore inter-species relationships in science fiction.

We will be reading Octavia E. Butler’s short story Bloodchild (1984), which Butler refers to as her ‘pregnant man story,’ it tells the story of the Terrans and Tlics, who use male Terrans as hosts for breeding their young. The narrative offers an example of human and more-than-human relationship in which the human is not in power.

“It amazes me that some people have seen “Bloodchild” as a story of slavery. It isn’t. It’s a number of other things though. On one level, it’s a love story between two very different beings” – Octavia E. Butler

This group is open to all; it is a supportive and peer-led space for thinking and learning together. It is a space for constructive disagreements and critical engagement that is always based on mutual respect, interest and care. If you have any access requirements please let a member of staff know either at the event or by emailing us in advance and we will do our best to accommodate.

All texts are read together in the group, you don’t need to read them in advance. However, if you would prefer to read a copy in advance, or have any questions, please the library: library@iniva.org

Biography

Octavia E. Butler is the author of fourteen books, including the novels Kindred, Dawn, Parable of the Sower and, most recently, Fledgling. Recipient of a MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant, the Hugo and Nebula Awards, a lifetime achievement award in writing from PEN, and numerous other literary awards, Butler is widely acclaimed for her lean prose, strong protagonists, and social observations that range from the distant past to the far future.