Dive Deeper Into Parable of the Sower
You could spend a lifetime immersed in the brilliance of Octavia E. Butler and the Parable novels. There is so much to learn that we wanted to create a starting path for you to explore. Follow your curiosity through our curated list of resources to gain more in-depth understanding of both the literary and stage versions of the Parable stories, and the artists behind them. From new TV series to podcasts to the gorgeous graphic novel, there is something here for everyone. This is just a small sampler of what is out there, and is not intended to be comprehensive. Dive in!
Strathmore's presentation of Parable of the Sower is generously sponsored in part by Karen Lefkowitz and Al Neyman.
Foundations: Octavia E. Butler and Afrofuturism
- Official Site of Octavia E. Butler
The website of Octavia E. Butler’s estate, includes in-depth literary background - The Parable Novels
About Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents - Beginner's Guide to Afrofuturism
Essence: October 2020 - Octavia E. Butler: A Visionary Among Futurists
CNN introductory article: June 2018 - Where to Start with Octavia Butler
New York Public Library guide to Butler’s work - Why Octavia E. Butler’s Novels Are So Relevant Today
BBC: March 2020 - Octavia Butler, Visionary Fiction
NPR's Throughline podcast special episode (68 min) - Interview with Octavia Butler
June 2000 interview on Charlie Rose (15 min)
The Parable Opera
- About the Strathmore Performance
Explore pre-show events and get your tickets for April 28 & 29, 2022 - Parable Opera Website
Background and promotional materials for the performance - Parable Opera trailer
- Parable Path Boston
Community-led activities based around (postponed) performances at Arts Emerson) - Parable Path at University of Michigan
Includes free events and a community read (performances March 2022)
Dive Deeper into the Parable Novels
- Octavia’s Parables - Podcast
Chapter-by-chapter discussions by adrienne maree brown and Toshi Reagon - God is Change
Parable Immersion Course by Alexis Pauline Grumbs ($50) - Earthseed
Website that makes literal the religion inspired by the work of Octavia E. Butler - How Octavia Butler Re-Imagines Sex and Survival
An exploration that encompasses the Parables and several other works - Seeding a Black Feminist Future on the Horizon of a Third Reconstruction: The Abolitionist Politics of Self-Care in Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower
Scholarly article from June 2021
Select Adaptations of Butler Works
Inspired by Butler
- adrienne maree brown blog
adrienne maree brown is among the top writers and thinkers in the world on Octavia Butler and how her ideas can be applied. - Emergent Strategy Ideation Institute and Book
Emergent Strategy is a framework for shaping social change created by adrienne maree brown and inspired by Octavia Butler’s work - Octavia’s Brood
Book of science fiction stories inspired by Octavia Butler - Shaping Change Bundle
Resources for supporting yourself and your community though the lens of Earthseed - Octavia Tried
A monthly webinar talking about how Octavia Butler teaches us about change, prophecy, survival strategies, spirituality, creativity, community, leadership, activism, politics and education.
Explore Afrofuturism
- Afrofuturism: From Books to Blockbusters
It’s Lit by Storied at PBS 9:33 - Intro to Afrofuturism– short
Short explainer by Vox (5 min) - Intro to Afrofuturism - longer
More in-depth intro by Black Studies Snacks (25 min) - Afrofuturism at Carnegie Hall
Explore events taking place in March 2022 in New York - How Afrofuturism Can Help the World Mend
Reflection in Wired Magazine - Afrofuturism: from the Past to the Living Present
Exploration of Afrofuturism through the lens of Los Angeles and UCLA scholars and alumni
Social Media Accounts to Follow
@octaviaebutler
Official account of the estate of Octavia E. Butler
@adriennemareebrown
adrienne maree brown, writer
@biglovely101
Big Lovely, Toshi Reagon’s main band
@toshi.reagon.live
Toshi Reagon
Register for the Preshow Events
Tuesday, April 5
Octavia Butler's Parables: A Welcome and Orientation
Join Alexis Pauline Gumbs for an exploration of Butler’s overall oeuvre and legacy, as well as the books’ themes and their context in black feminism and Afrofuturism.
RSVP
Thursday, April 28
The Parable Effect
How Black Feminist Art & Afrofuturism Influence Social Change—Aishah Shahidah Simmons and Michelle Parkerson in conversation
RSVP
Friday, April 29
When Goddesses Change
Listening for an Ancestral Octavia—Lecture with Alexis Pauline Gumbs
RSVP