Parable of the Sower and its sequel are among my favorite of Octavia Butler’s books, and certainly the most prescient and memorable for me personally. The religion created in this book still feels real in some way, as if in some ways it has caught on indirectly. The concepts behind Earthseed made so much sense, rationally sensible without supernatural elements, while still appealing to deeply irrational and emotional aspects of the human psyche. I feel that many conscientous people in our world today have adopted many of these same ideas, though not necessarily with the aspect of driving toward migration of life to other planets. So much in Earthseed is about our relationship to a constantly changing universe.

Also, I feel that these books anticipated Trumpism, by presenting the dangers of a US spiral into fascistic political patterns. Yet despite this cautionary aspect, these books teach how loving community can powerfully counter fascism, and lead to a hopeful future for humanity. EDIT: I probably need to re-read this again, after so many years. Other reviews have made me realize that I forgot some important aspects.