105 pages • 3 hours read
Dawn
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Book Brief
286
Novel • Fiction
Spaceship • Far Future
1987
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Octavia E. Butler's Dawn, Lilith Iyapo awakens post-apocalypse on an alien ship run by the Oankali, a three-gendered species intending to merge genetically with humans to survive. Chosen to help rehabilitate Earth, Lilith trains other humans while struggling with their hostility and the alien integration's ethical implications. The story explores intense themes including genetic manipulation, consent, and the complexity of interspecies relationships.
Mysterious
Dark
Challenging
Suspenseful
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
60,089 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Octavia E. Butler’s Dawn is widely praised for its imaginative and thought-provoking narrative, rich character development, and exploration of complex themes like identity, consent, and coexistence. However, some readers find the pacing slow and the prose dense. Overall, it's celebrated as a compelling work of science fiction that provokes deep reflection.
Who Should Read Dawn?
Readers who love Dune by Frank Herbert or The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin will enjoy Dawn by Octavia E. Butler. This book is perfect for those interested in complex characters, themes of survival, and the interplay between humanity and alien civilizations. Fans of thought-provoking speculative fiction will find it compelling.
60,089 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
286
Novel • Fiction
Spaceship • Far Future
1987
Adult
18+ years
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