This past Saturday my husband and I attended a local book club discussion on Octavia Butler's Bloodchild. In fact, we only attended because we saw a chance to talk to other black folk about great science fiction (of course, now I have you guys). My husband Stafford has read just about everything by the late Ms. Butler. I read one book in a series quite a few years back that really impressed me, but I hate having to follow a series so I lost track. I choose to read her short stories.I started Fledgling, but seriously - it scared me. I'm a serious wuss and it was dark!!! Honestly, I don't even know how I got through all of that H.P. Lovecraft and Stephen King back in the day! I've grown up and punked out.Anyway, Octavia described Bloodchild as her "man pregnancy' story. "Bloodchild" first published in Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine, June 1984, won the 1984 Nebula Award for Best Novelette and the 1985 Hugo Award for Best Novelette.We had a fierce discussion over the slavery aspects of the story (some thought we only saw them as slaves because of our experiences here on earth) and the matter of choice. And of course, how men take the pain of true delivery - ha ha. This story truly highlights Octavia Butler's wonderful ability to get you moving and involved with the story immediately.If you haven't read it yet, you can read it in its entirety on the Washington Post Book Review site. It is also on Google Books, but several pages are missing. At least for a short time you can still find it on the old SciFi channel SCI FICTION page. This is a part of the Scifi channel's website that was supposed to be dismantled last year.It's a quick and fun read. Check it out, then come back here to discuss it. I want to hear more of the male side of the story.
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