It's Lit: Octavia E. Butler, The Grand Dame of Science Fiction
Octavia E. Butler’s storytelling pushed the boundaries of what Black people were allowed to be in science fiction.
The first science fiction writer to receive the MacArthur Fellowship, Octavia E. Butler (1947-2006) used her work to explore issues that still impact society, such as religion, climate change, capitalism, racism, sexism, classism, and xenophobia. Today, Butler’s talent is not only respected but seen as surprisingly prognostic.
In this video, It’s Lit's Princess Weekes outlines the author’s importance to literature:
Often referred to as the “grand dame of science fiction,” Octavia E. Butler authored several award-winning novels including Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents, winner of the Nebula Award for Best Novel. Recipient of a MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant and numerous literary awards, she has been acclaimed for her lean prose, strong protagonists, and social observations in stories that range from the distant past to the far future. She passed away February 24, 2006.
It’s Lit! is a series of smart, funny video essays from PBS Digital Studios about our favorite books and why we love to read. Hosted by Lindsay Ellis and Princess Weekes, the series delves into topics like the evolution of YA, how science fiction mirrors our own anxieties, and why the book is sometimes just a bit better than the movie.
