I believe that (as other researchers such as Isiah Lavender, De Witt Douglas Kilgore, Isiah Lavender, Sherryl Vint, and Sandra Govan have discussed, in other contexts) such work can help others revise their notions of race, gender, and sexuality as well- something I discuss here. certainly made me reconsider my perceptions of race, gender, and sexuality. Reading Xenogenesis, Wild Seed, Fledgling, etc. Finally, reading Xenogenesis and Butler’s other work has led me to think about difference in ways I probably would not have otherwise. Butler archives at the Huntington Library in San Marino, California, just miles from where Butler grew up. Since then, it has become a research interest, and led me to a community of people who enjoy Butler’s work as much as I do. Xenogenesis was simultaneously an escape from the world, and a promise of something more. When I was 13, my dad, an avid science fiction fan, brought home a copy of Xenogenesis. Perhaps he retained that information in forming his conclusions about a possible relationship between himself and the characters, but I am still heartened by his apparent sense of a connection to a book I love so dearly. I believe I told him that the characters featured on the cover are friends. (though I had a rather long 'conversation' with him regarding the book, and my love for Butler's work, when he was only hours or days old).

I vaguely recall discussing Xenogenesis with my son just once before.

Given that the premise of the book is a future in which posthumanism or transhumanism (I would argue it is transhumanism) is nearly inevitable, I was astounded. My son proceeded to tell me that Lilith is his friend, the alien is his friend, and, “someday, I will be the alien’s kid.” Lilith looks somewhat concerned, and the Oankali has placed a hand on her shoulder. The book he referred to was Xenogenesis (also known as Lilith’s Brood), and the characters he referred to are Lilith and one of the Oankali, perhaps Jdhaya or Nikanj. “Will she walk out of the book? Will the alien walk out of the book?” The other day, my 3 1/2 year old son walked up to me while I was taking notes, stared intently at the book on top, and asked,

It is even more common now that I am (frantically) working on my Masters thesis.

It has always been incredibly common for me to be surrounded by a pile of books. Note: I originally posted this on my former blog on June 30, 2014, and I re-post it here now, with some edits and additions.

Octavia butler xenogenesis series