Student:Makkiya H Pierce

Special #:#15

Teacher: Walt Fellman

Subject:English#3

Date: May 25th,1999

Octavia Butler wrote Kindred to share her philosophy of uniting different cultures together as one. I personally think Octavia Butler is a realist, writing the most detailed criticism and deciding to explore the supernatural side of the world.

I enjoyed Kindred a little more than I expected. I

thought the story would be a waste of time to read. But instead, Kindred surpassed my expectations when it grasped my attention after just reading the first page.

Octavia Butler has had a love for writing since she was just 5 years old. She grew up in a small area and was influenced to write novels by her mother. Kindred is one of her best sellers. It shares with ButlerÍs other works an interest in exploring relationships between the empowered and the powerless.

Major events in Kindred involved Dana continually disappear.

ring into the past. Dana is the main character in Kindred. She is a 24 year old African-American woman who lives in the U.S. Throughout the entire novel,

Dana repeatingly had to come to her ancestorÍs RufusÍs rescue. Although Dana is African-American, Rufus is white which makes the story even more interesting. ñWhere am I?î and ñwho are you?î are things Dana found herself saying as she kept seeing Rufus in during different time periods.

I knew this story would have a unique take-off into fiction when Dana said ñI began to feel nauseated. The room seemed to blur and darken around me. I raised my head and discovered I could not focus. Something is wrong with me....î During this part in the story, Dana began to lift away from our world and into another.

This took me by surprise. I thought Dana traveled back in time in a machine, when all along it was her conscience that transported her away.

I could relate to DanaÍs feelings each

qtime she had to help Rufus. Each trip she made back in time seemed longer and more dangerous. There have been times IÍve had to help people in their time of need and found myself getting too involved in the situation.

ThereÍs nothing wrong with helping others. It may take a while to find that out, but the reward afterwards is worth it.

Kindred should be read by people who have a high maturity level. In this book, there are some breath-taking scenes and only those who can accept things the way theyÍre given should read this book.

I enjoyed Kindred so much, IÍm reading it a second time. The author couldnÍt have expressed herself any clearer. Kindred is like a rollercoaster ride. There are surprises around every corner and if you donÍt pay attention, youÍll miss the most exciting parts. Kindred is a remarkable piece of literature that IÍm sure most people would enjoy.