Dawn

De: Octavia E. Butler

Narrado por: Julienne Irons

One woman is called upon to rebuild the future of humankind after a nuclear war, in this revelatory post-apocalyptic tale from the award-winning author of Parable of the Sower.

When Lilith lyapo wakes from a centuries-long sleep, she finds herself aboard the vast spaceship of the Oankali. She discovers that the Oankali—a seemingly benevolent alien race—intervened in the fate of the humanity hundreds of years ago, saving everyone who survived a nuclear war from a dying, ruined Earth and then putting them into a deep sleep. After learning all they could about Earth and its beings, the Oankali healed the planet, cured cancer, increased human strength, and they now want Lilith to lead her people back to Earth—but salvation comes at a price.

Hopeful and thought-provoking, this post-apocalyptic narrative deftly explores gender and race through the eyes of characters struggling to adapt during a pivotal time of crisis and change.

©1987 Octavia E. Butler (P)2023 Grand Central Publishing

Great read! Hard to believe Dawn was written/published in 1987

Great Sci-Fi. Apart from a fleeting reference to the ISSR it is hard to believe Dawn was written/published in 1987. Not at all dated after 35 years and disturbing as Octavia Butler forces us to mull over the implications of genetic manipulation and what it means to be human.

Aged Well

This book took me on a intergalactic adventure, it was amazing! Character development was phenomenal.

I’m conflicted 😆

For the first 4 hrs of the book I was completely confused about what was going on. But after hour 4, things started to click into place and I was able to understand more of what is going on.

I’m conflicted because alien sex felt WEIRD to hear about and the relationship between the humans and aliens I still can’t comprehend. IT DEFINITELY makes you feel uncomfortable but also you relate to the need of human survival.

This book is just WEIRD. 😅 but now I’m invested in the story and this one ended on a cliff hangar and epiphany for the main character so I will read the second book.

This is a post-apocalyptic earth/alien invasion story. Humans have all but destroyed themselves and Earth with nuclear war when some alien life form swooped in to save whom they could and brought the surviving humans aboard their ship that hovers near Earth’s moon.

The aliens have placed the humans in suspended animation as they study their biology in their “claimed” attempt to save humanity. The suspended animation significantly slows the aging process and so far has lasted over 200 years. But why? Apparently these alien life forms have lost their galaxy and are looking for a way to save themselves too. In that process they have found themselves compatible with humans.

The rest of the book is exploring this conundrum of humans and aliens repopulating earth to save both species…Human morality and fear vs survival.

The narrator is awful, too much whisper talking, odd pauses and breathing. It felt overly dramatic in the first few hours of the book and I almost quit. It felt like the narration leveled out or maybe I just became accustomed to it. LOL the storyline saved the narration of this book.

A brilliant sci-fi story

Butler’s way of contrasting human nature to that of an alien species is insightful and imaginative. The characters are deep and complex and the pacing is wonderful. The only part I could do without is the alien “sex”, but it’s not terribly graphic or erotic, just weird.
The narration is satisfactory. Some of the narration choices were peculiar, but I could hear all the parts and tell the characters apart without issue.

Engaging story

I think I could have enjoyed the book more if it had a different reader. I found her voice grating. She sounded constipated the whole time. Not enough variation in tone and emotion. The story was good though.

Narrator

The narrator mixed up the voices at the beginning but improved as the story progressed.

Interesting concepts, grounded narrator

My only regret is that I didn't stumble across this sooner. very interesting themes explored through this story. enjoyed the realism of characters that made the story feel as believable as this sci Fi story could be.

Disturbing

I little too disturbing for my taste. Alien sex is not really what I wanna read about in a science fiction novel. Finished the book, but won't be continuing the series.

Outstanding Afrofuturism

This is a delightful and yet strangely relatable look at post apocalyptic Earth. Octavia weaves a tapestry of human response and character that leaves the reader choosing sides and wondering "what if?" Great story for all Sci fi lovers.

Audio version is not for me

I am obsessed with Octavia Butler but there is something about her writing that makes it difficult for me to listen to. I much prefer reading Butler from a physical book because I just can't stay in it when I'm listening. The story is interesting and remains relevant after decades of being written.