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}

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?

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.

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

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?

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? 🤬🤬🤬

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!

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.

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