Imago

By: Octavia E. Butler

Narrated by: Ron Butler

From the award-winning author of Parable of the Sower: After the near-extinction of humanity, a new kind of alien-human hybrid must come to terms with their identity—before their powers destroy what is left of humankind.

Since a nuclear war decimated the human population, the remaining humans began to rebuild their future by interbreeding with an alien race—the Oankali—who saved them from near-certain extinction. The Oankalis' greatest skill lies in the species' ability to constantly adapt and evolve, a process that is guided by their third sex, the ooloi, who are able to read and mutate genetic code.

Now, for the first time in the humans' relationship with the Oankali, a human mother has given birth to an ooloi child: Jodahs. Throughout his childhood, Jodahs seemed to be a male human-alien hybrid. But when he reaches adolescence, Jodahs develops the ooloi abilities to shapeshift, manipulate DNA, cure and create disease, and more. Frightened and isolated, Jodahs must either come to terms with this new identity, learn to control new powers, and unite what's left of humankind—or become the biggest threat to their survival.

©1989 Octavia E. Butler (P)2023 Grand Central Publishing

3rd time I've read it.

I love Octavia Butler 's books. I've read many. This is my favorite series. I've read the 3 novels at leastv3 times. This story should be a TV series or 3 movies.

Simplicity of Life

This series has touched on all of the desires of life, to be loved, protected, nurtured, and free.

Great ending

Very satisfying wrap up to an excellent story! I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this author before. Will definitely be reading more of her work.

obsessed

I've been obsessed with this trilogy from the moment I started it. I'm bummed that it's only a trilogy. This story is so dynamic, relevant, and intriguing.

I love it

Amazing and captivating. Every moment you crave the way the characters crave. Truly outstanding and would highly recommend

Imagine

Ms. Butler paints a picture of a world I could have never imagined. In doing so, she drew me into understanding, empathy, and compassion for aliens who I would have thought I would have rooted against. If this work of science fiction can have this effect it is my hope that others who read “listen” to it will find understanding, empathy, and compassion for all of humanity, the earth, and creatures of this world.

Thank you Ms. Octavia Butler for helping us to be better.

A compelling finisher to the Lilith's Brood novels

Butler finishes of the series well in Imago, showing readers the culmination of humanitys next evolution and future. Though it lacks most of the suspense and surprise of books 1 and 2, and is a much shorter read, it beautifully ties up the problems and stories presented throughout the series.

An Incomparable Work of Science Fiction

The Xenogenesis saga is what got me into science fiction 40 years ago. Today, it remains one of the most well written, entertaining, and thought provoking works of this genre I have ever read. In life, Octavia Butler was underrated as the brilliant author that she was. It is my hope that more people come to appreciate her work for the excellent world building and immaculate storytelling that was the hallmark of her life's work. Once you start this, you won't be able to stop listening.

Wonderful conclusion

If you enjoyed the first two books in the Lilith’s Brood series, you will enjoy this final book. I finished wanting more, but also wonderfully satisfied with all I had received from this brilliant series.

Makes me wish for more.

All three books from this series build a beautiful idea of an alien contact scenario that avoids the assumption of human motivations. Octavia E. Butler has also not taken refuge behind any alien mystique. Her characters, human, alien or otherwise are believable, understandable, and wonderfully developed. I found great comfort from these titles and am sad that the series will not continue further.