Ruth Neese

#BannedBookSkyClub #BookSky

I'm on a road trip tomorrow to visit family and back Monday late. There's talking points out for #ParableOfTheTalents and I'll figure out December's talking points begin date when I get back. Feel free to keep discussing; I'll be in and out but not in while driving 🙂

#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky

Is there anything else you'd like to share about the book Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler?

Thoughts about slavery and freedom. The horrors of American slavery were recreated in the “re-education camp.” Lauren and others fought back and escaped, but she lost her daughter and brother. Were any of the characters truly free? Was Marc? Was Larkin? Was Lauren? Much to think about.

But it has the word wizard in the title! Witchcraft! Satan! {Sarcasm}

#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky

Butler planned on more Parable books with proposed titles: Parable of the Trickster, Parable of the Teacher, Parable of Chaos, & Parable of Clay.

How do you think the Parable stories would have continued if written?

I can only imagine! There was much to be mined with a Parable of Chaos in science fiction. And a Parable of Clay….would it take the path of molding and firing for strength, or that of a weak poser?

Photo of book A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin.

#BannedBookSkyClub reminder: The December 2025 book is A Wizard of Earthsea (The Books of Earthsea, 1) by Ursula Le Guin. Discussion begin date TBA.

Join us! #AWizardOfEarthsea #BookSky

#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky

In the prologue of the book Parable of the Talents, Larkin calls her mother, Lauren, "misguided." Do you agree? Why or why not?

I don’t agree. Larkin has bought the CA perspective, despite her claims of being an atheist. And she remains steadfastly resistant to opening her mind to another perspective, especially her mother’s.

#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky

What do the Parable books teach us about survival?

Main ingredient—hope. Support that hope by investing in community, building resilience, and encouraging people to follow their skills and interests through education.

#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky

What was your reaction to the Marcus/Lauren/Larkin family dynamic? Would you have forgiven Marcus? Explain.

Marcus annoyed me, in this book and Sower. He is filled with self-loathing and uses his pain to inflict pain on others, including Lauren. He was a collaborator and a gaslighter. I don’t have children, but if I discovered a sib hid a child from me for 20 years, I doubt I could forgive.

I noted that, too! The goddess of storms and transformation fits right with the storyline, doesn’t it?

#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky

What did you think of the "Destiny" of Earthseed? Were you invested in its success, or did it feel peripheral? Explain.

Not heavily invested. Extra-planetary colonization is thrilling, but another way of running away from the problems humans created on Earth. And what happens if the colonists meet other intelligent life? Would they collaborate or become violent & exploitative? The thing they were fleeing…

Isn’t it? 🤬🤬🤬

Seriously, @nytimes.com? THIS is the best opinion you have NOW? Then you doubled-down today blathering about “toxic feminism” in the workplace? Well, if “toxic” means equal pay, equitable job opportunities, and punished sexual harassment, GOOD!

#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky

Which character in the book Parable of the Talents did you most relate to? Why?

Lauren Olamina. I actually became “hooked” on her in Parable of the Sower. Her drive was evident then, as was her frustration with those who refused to value community and long-term survival.

Well said!

#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky

In Parable of the Talents, President Jarret's goal was to make the United States a Christian nation. Do you think this is a realistic goal for the country as it is now? Would someone succeed in doing so? Explain.

That seems to depend upon one’s definition of “Christian.” The majority of denominations in the U.S. are Christian, yet there are some who don’t believe that. I don’t think an attempt to impose a Christofascist version would work very well. The U.S. is too diverse.

If you've read Octavia Butler's #ParableOfTheTalents the #BannedBookSkyClub is currently discussing the book. Feel free to join in the discussion; see below for how to find talking points. #BookSky

To me, human relationships were the core of the book.

#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky

Talk about Butler's strengths as a storyteller. Were you fully engaged with the book from beginning to end? Explain.

Butler gives you detail about characters’ inner dialogue that you didn’t know you needed. Her characters behave like “real humans,” with all their faults, foibles, poor choices, noble acts, and grit.

Larkin was also kidnapped and adopted by members of CA, for whom Earthseed and Lauren were evil. Then she met Marc, who has his own issues with Lauren. Hard to overcome that kind of programming.

Absolutely!

I did notice it was members of CA, including Larkin and Marc, calling Earthseed a cult. Likely propaganda.