Wild Seed (Patternist, 1)

‘Wild Seed’ is the first book in the famous ‘Patternist’ series (though it was not written first). It is also the first book by Butler that I’ve read but will definitely not be the last: this was a book that kept me reading far too late into the night because I just could not put it down.The book starts off in 1690, in Africa, and ends in 1840s in the United States. It follows the immortal man/spirit Doro – born in Africa in the days of ancient Egypt, and Anyanwu, an African woman with astonishing powers that set her apart from everyone around her. Doro brings Anyanwu to America, and she becomes part of his “people”: an extensive group of individuals who are ruled by, and selectively bred by Doro to enhance their various special abilities.With that as its starting point, ‘Wild Seed’ becomes a haunting, rich, and compelling story of Anyanwu’s struggle to survive in the new world under Doro’s rule, exploring themes like good and evil, slavery and oppression, race and eugenics, family and friendship, love and the essence of life itself: what makes life worth living? what is a good life? what is worth living for? what is worth dying for?Butler’s cast of characters add to the richness of the book: they are all complex and conflicted, and even characters that pass by only briefly in the story are so well-written that they stay with you afterwards. And Anyanwu is one of the most interesting and likable literary characters I’ve encountered. She is a good, but flawed, person, fighting tooth and nail to stay true to herself and her own convictions, and to keep her freedom and self-determination – even under excruciatingly difficult circumstances.‘Wild Seed’ is compelling, unique science fiction, and it’s a book that lingers in the mind long after you finish reading it.

I am so happy I read this book! It's been so long since I've finished an entire book, but this was an easy read. I was hooked on every word all the way thru. 5 stars!

This is a very good book but nowhere near a good as Kindred or Parable of the Sower. Still I enjoyed it and will continue to read her stuff. Glad I found her.

A difficult tale, full of immorality and fear. The loathsome lead is somehow forgiven and imbued with humanity. Ridiculous, but it happens and almost bought me to tears. Butler is a magician. As with her alien apocalypse book, I’m afraid to read more but can’t see how I couldn’t. This book really should not have worked and is a tribute to her writing.

Loved it. The protagonist is my favorite, never one to back down. The antagonist is very intimidating. Definitely worth the read.

Had this book years ago, wanted to re-read it.

This series is amazing. She will always be on of my top authors. I will recommend this series to anyone.

Anyanwu and Doro are two immortal beings. Doro is more of a spirit than a man. He lives through millennial by possessing other’s bodies, killing the original owners in the process. Anyanwu is a shape shifter who can constantly rejuvenate her body so that she stays young forever. Doro kills, Anyanwu heals. They are as opposite as they can be, and yet each is the only immortal the other knows. Wild Seed begins with the two coming into contact for the first time, when Doro happens upon the African village where Anyanwu’s living in the late 1600s and shows the relationship between them up until the late 1800s.Wild Seed is easy to read, but there’s a lot going on underneath the surface. There’s so many different topics at play here – race, slavery, gender, sexuality. Basically, if it’s a topic relating to power structures, Wild Seed deals with it. It doesn’t deal much with LGBTQ themes, but I’m still listing it under the tag since Anyanwu has a wife at one point (happens between chapters) and could probably be considered bisexual.Wild Seed deals with the difficulties of being immortal and the inherent loneliness of watching everyone you know die. This is the focal point of the relationship between Anyanwu and Doro. Anyanwu may not be able to condone what Doro does, but he’s the only person who will remain constant as the families she builds for herself die around her.I hate Doro, but I think you’re supposed to hate him. He’s spent his extraordinary long life on a eugenics project, creating a race of people with special powers. He’s controlling and manipulative and thinks nothing of killing others. He wants people to be under his control, to respect and obey him in all things. But Anyanwu cannot respect him, and she does not always obey him. She’s wild seed – a talented person born outside his breeding programs.I’m really not sure what to think about the relationship between Anyanwu and Doro. I really hope the ending wasn’t supposed to be an instance of the woman “changing” her man with her feminine influences, but I’m not sure. Anyanwu was also so passive. I really wanted to see her stand up to Doro and to oppose the things he did that she hated. But it feels more like she accepts powerlessness.A large part of why I have these feelings is that I don’t think Wild Seed had a real conclusion. The book just sort of ends. There problems with Doro’s actions haven’t been dealt with. Maybe it’s because this is a first book in a series? I’d want to keep reading to find out what happens to Anyanwu, but I’ve heard she’s not the protagonist of the next one.Do I recommend Wild Seed? Definitely. I can see why it’s considered a science fiction classic, one that I think I’d need to reread to appreciate more fully.

Two immortals struggle, one mostly good, one not, with their own natures, telling us lot about ourselves.They're very human except for their centuries of life and a price that comes with their "gift".

This was very different to sci-fi I've read before. The style is very plain and unadorned, but the narrative sweeps you along. I was glad to discover this author.

A very strange story that is unlike anything I have read. Well written fantasy without your typical female protagonist. She creates a strong woman character that I found compelling.

Octavia Buttler delivers at "Wild Seed" an excellent story. The spot is so different from what we commonly read! I also really love the characters. Buttler buit up deep and rich characters that are so unique. The author's point of view on life, society and human relations is her strengh.

I am midway through this novel, and I'm really loving it! Octavia Butler is such an interesting writer. For now, I've read the Parable series and Kindred (and the corresponding graphic novel), and the short stories collection. She explored so many ideas in her writing. This was especially obvious in her short stories collection, and it is with this one too. I just realized that it's the fourth novel in the Patternist series, so I'll definitely read the others.I highly recommend it!