The way that Octavia E. Butler makes you sit in the roughness and ruthfulness of this story is phenomenal.

Science fiction is a hit or miss for me but in ‘Kindred’, the science fiction element is basically used as a tool to tell the real more poignant story of slavery. Dana, the main character, feels sort of like a tool that we use to navigate the harsh truths of the world in both the book and what we know of slavery. Just like Dana, we aren’t allowed to look away or change anything, both because we’re the observers, us because we’re the audience, and Dana because of your classic rule of time travel.

It’s hard to put into words how impactful Butler’s writing is, specifically this book, but her stories are ones that once read you can’t forget them. I can’t really say much without spoiling it, I don’t even feel like I can give my opinion on the main characters without letting something slip. The side characters hold up the story as well, though. Despite not being the longest book, everyone is pretty fleshed out, and the only thing I think that really lacks is the ending (it’s rough and some could argue it feels a little rushed).