The first 20 people who sign up will get a free copy of the book by agreeing to attend all three meetings, either in person or via Zoom.
Meetings will be held from Noon – 1 pm on the following dates: - Friday, February 24th – Read 2024 & 2025 (1 - 80)
- Friday, March 24th – Read 2026 & bring articles that connect Butler’s predictions to present day (81 - 119)
- Friday, April 14th – Read 2027 (starting on p. 120 - 261)
In this dystopian novel, the country is marred by environmental and economic crises that have led to social chaos. Lauren Olamina, a Black teenager and a preacher's daughter, is protected from the worst of the cruelty by the walls of her gated community. But this tenuous existence is eroding. In a world fraught with danger, she must seek safety, along the way conceiving a revolutionary idea that may mean salvation for all mankind. From MacArthur Fellow Octavia Butler, winner of multiple Nebula and Hugo Awards, this iconic novel is "a gripping tale of survival and a poignant account of growing up sane in a disintegrating world" (based on publisher summaries and The New York Times Book Review).
Content warning: This book includes graphic descriptions of trauma including suicide, sexual assault, domestic abuse, and human trafficking, which will form part of our in-person discussions. If you have questions, please contact Alyssa Archer at
aarcher2@radford.edu or 540-831-5688.
