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Adulthood Rites
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Adulthood Rites
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Adulthood Rites
Ebook387 pages6 hours

Adulthood Rites

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

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About this ebook

The futures of both mankind and an alien species rest in the hands of one hybrid son in the award-winning science fiction author’s masterful sequel to Dawn.

Nuclear war had nearly destroyed mankind when the Oankali came to the rescue, saving humanity—but at a price. The Oankali survive by mixing their DNA with that of other species, and now on Earth they have permitted no child to be born without an Oankali parent. The first true hybrid is a boy named Akin—son of Lilith Iyapo— and to the naked eye he looks human, for now. He is born with extraordinary sensory powers, understanding speech at birth, speaking in sentences at two months old, and soon developing the ability to see at the molecular level. More powerful than any human or Oankali, he will be the architect of both races’ intergalactic future. But before he can carry this new species into the stars, Akin must decide which unlucky souls will stay behind.

At once a coming-of-age story, science fiction adventure, and philosophical exploration, Butler’s ambitious and breathtaking novel ultimately raises the question of what it means to be human. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Octavia E. Butler including rare images from the author’s estate.   
LanguageEnglish
Release dateJul 24, 2012
ISBN9781453263686
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Adulthood Rites
Author

Octavia E. Butler

Octavia E. Butler (1947–2006) was a renowned African American author of several award-winning novels, including Parable of the Sower, which was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year in 1993, and Parable of the Talents, winner of the Nebula Award for the best science fiction novel in 1995. She received a MacArthur Genius Grant and PEN West Lifetime Achievement Award for her body of work and was acclaimed for her lean prose, strong protagonists, and social observations in stories that range from the distant past to the far future.

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Rating: 4.0838325748503 out of 5 stars
4/5

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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This part of the story was almost as good as the first book, but it seemed a little heavy on philosophy to me. Even so, I'm on to the third book now, because it is an excellent story. The book doesn't end with a cliff hanger, but we know there is more to follow and I'm eager to see what that future holds.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This continuation of the series held up to every standard and expectation I had. I'm thrilled to continue with the final chapter of humanity's story!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I decided not to wait too long before delving back into this series with this 2nd book of the trilogy. It picks things up a couple of decades or so after the conclusion of [Dawn]. The remnants of humanity have returned to Earth but the price of the trade with the Oankali was too much for some. Those that accept the shared Oankali/human cross-breeding program have started producing the next generation known as constructs. Those that don't are allowed to live in Resister villages but without the option to procreate. Lilith is once again a test subject as she is the first human woman to give birth to a male construct and this book is very much his story. Akin looks mostly human when he is born with only his tongue providing the sensory input of the Oankali and it's this that provides the greatest incentive to his kidnappers. He is taken to be sold to a resister village to offer at least the illusion of having a child to those unable to produce their own. He should fetch a high price. The cost to Akin will also be extraordinary and he cannot understand why his own family have chosen not to rescue him and left him in the care of some old familiar faces. Why has Akin been abandoned and what does fate have in store for him? This book follows Akin's story from his birth up until his metamorphosis into young adulthood and the choice for his life's work. As a product of two cultures he must come to terms with both sides of his heritage and if he can accomplish this then who knows what's in store for not just his own future but that of Oankali and humankind also.Although this is a middle book from a trilogy there was no feeling that it was a bridging beween the start and end of a story that you sometimes get in such cases. I think the switching of primary character certainly helped with this and Akin's tale is certainly an interesting one. As with the previous volume there are a lot of important questions being asked throughout the story but the main theme for this time around is identity. Can a child born into two very different cultures be truly accepted by either. Would it be right to choose one over the other. If he can help bring a greater understanding between them then is it his duty to try? This is a book that expands on the Oankali vision hinted at in the first of the series providing a much greater insight into their culture but also looks at whether the human race is destined for extinction without some kind of intervention for the path it's taking, Are we destined to ultimately destroy ourselves? This is another enjoyable and thought provoking entry into the series and I'm looking forward to reaching its conclusion in the third book.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This is the second book in this series. Very similar to the first, except the plotting seemed to wander a bit. A lot of world building. Again, the author explores the theme of difference. Not a lot of hard science, but some interesting ideas around genetics and heredity. Looking forward to the next installment.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Lilith has given birth to a boy, Akin, who appears to be human. However, Akin has five parents: a male and female human, a male and female Oankali, and a sexless Ooloi. The Oankali have saved what is left of the human race from its own extinction. However, the alien species merges with its humans and alters the genetic make up. There are resisters who have been sterilized. Akin has been selected by the Oankali to see whether or not the humans should be allowed to reproduce despite the human tendency towards self-destruction.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Intelligent, perceptive and frequently disquieting, this was an excellent introduction to Octavia Butler's works.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Another thought-provoking novel by Octavia Butler. In general, it doesn't show humanity at its best, but it does show some of the good things as well. Seeing the world through the eyes of a child half human, half Oankali was fascinating, particularly considering the quick mental development of Akin. I thought the frustration of the humans, even the ones that have joined the Oankali was well described. It shows very clearly how non-human the Oankali are, how different their thinking is. And in a way, how arrogant they are to impose their world-view on others, even if they are saving the lives of those others. I was glad to hear Lilith's view on her first pregnancy and the frustration this caused her, because this was a bit glossed over in the first book. I'm definitely reading the third book!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    In Adulthood Rites, Butler picks what where she left off. It is about 30 years after Dawn and Lilith has bore and contains to have alien hybrid (constructs) children. Adulthood Rites is the story of one of those children. Told in a limited third person narrative, Adulthood Rites is the look into the struggles that the Akin (Lilith's only human born constructs male child) and the humans resisters that now inhibit the earth. As in the first book (Dawn), Butler contains to explore the theme of what it means to be human and the contradictions that are inherent in humanity. Even though the story is in third person, the reader only gets to see the world through Akin's senses. This position allows readers not only to connect with the human resisters but also evaluate aspects of humanity that lead the Oankali make humans resist sterile. Through Akin, readers get to see how humans make choices that lead to violence, rage, despair, and sorrow. But they also get to see that for most people the idea of the future and progress, mainly through children, is what makes up want to achieve greater heights. Butler is able to do all this expertly in a simple narrative that is less than three hundred pages.Pros: Writing, Characters, PlotCons: N/AOverall Recommendation:This book in my opinion is better than Dawn. It could just be because I like the outcome more in this book than the other. But I would recommend this book to anyone that has read the first. But it is important that the books are read in order, so of the important themes and events are needed to make the story make flow accurately.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Octavia Butler always leaves me breathless with her creative mind, and the level of her inventiveness.This is book 2 of the Xenogenesis series, developing the theme of a post-apocalyptic world, where the few surviving humans are saved and genetically adapted by the alien Oankali. This species travels the universe absorbing other species into its genetic family. The story not only describes the fascinating science behind this premise, but also the complex emotions expressed by humanity at what the Oankali have done to them (albeit as a benign invader).In this second book, the first of the human/Oankali hybrids are born, and have to bridge the gap between the two parent species. The first male is a danger to both species, and himself.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This one got better toward the end. My only problem with this series is the names and how complicated the "mating" system is. The combination makes it hard to tell what's going on sometimes. Other than that some very cool unique situations. Butler had a way of portraying fantastic situations (like crazy looking aliens) as if they were mundane. It doesn't feel like your reading fantasy/sci-fi but instead another reality.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I loved the first book in the Xenogenesis series, Dawn, and this, the second book, was not a disappointment! It's full of great ideas to make you think. I was enthralled the entire time I was reading it, never wanting to put it down. The characters and the ideas were all very interesting. This could easily have been a much longer book with more details about the characters' lives and decisions, but it definitely works the way it is. I can't wait to read the third book!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This sequel to Dawn is just as good. Lilith has given birth to a human-looking son, Akin. But, he is actually a genetically engineered hybrid of human and Oankali. But, not all humans are willing to be "saved" by merging with the Oankali. They want to rebel, but the Oankali are technologically superior. But, they may find salvation in an unlikely advocate - Akin.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    i read this one first, not realizing it was in a series. i really like what is brought up about the nature of the Other, what makes us human, and the human condition.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Even before I finished reading Dawn, I knew that I would be pursuing the rest of the Xeogenesis trilogy (also known as Lilith's Brood) and just about anything else that Octavia E. Butler had written. Adulthood Rites follow Dawn and is the second Xenogenesis book. Dawn is easily one of the best pieces of science fiction that I've read recently; it completely blew me away. So, I had high expectations for Adulthood Rites. I wasn't too disappointed, either.Shortly after humanity destroyed itself in war, the Oankali arrived and rescued the few remaining fragments doomed for extinction. However, their actions weren't entirely altruistic--they plan on genetically merging with the surviving Humans in order to continue their own race. Akin is the first Human-born male construct to exist. Genetically engineered, he is both Human and Oankali, an important link in the creation of the next generation. Kidnapped as a young child by Human resisters, he is forced early on to confront and understand what makes the Humans so dangerous and yet so appealing to the Oankali. Ultimately, he may be the only hope for the Human race's survival.Even when the narrative perspective changes to another character, the book is still very intimately about Akin. His importance to the Humans (both resisters and partners) and the Oankali is paramount to the novel. As a Human-Oankali construct, Akin must earn acceptance from others, but even more so he must learn to accept both sides of his heritage. One of the things that I liked so much about Dawn is that the characters weren't static and changed as the novel progressed--particularly Lilith (Akin's mother). Unfortunately, Akin seemed to stay very much the same person throughout Adulthood Rites despite his traumatic experiences and his eventual dramatic physical transformation. The Oankali are very strange, and Butler captures this superbly. I'm not sure if it's because I took so long between threading the first and second books, but some details did seem inconsistent--but I could just be misremembering. Sometimes it seemed like Butler was just making things up as she went along, especially in regards to Oankali culture. Then again they are supposed to be truly bizarre from the perspective of a Human.While the book didn't capture me quite as much as Dawn, Adulthood Rites still explores a plethora of engaging ideas. Much of the novelty of Oankali gender relationships has worn off, but their relationships with Humans continue to be tense, uncomfortable, and a little creepy. Butler's style in Xenogenesis is very direct with very little superfluous description. I really wish that I hadn't waited so long between books because of this; many important elements and details were lost or forgotten. I definitely will be picking up the last book in the trilogy, Imago, sooner rather than later.Experiments in Reading
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I didn't used to like science fiction but Octavia Butler changed that all for me. One of the best commentaries on humanity I've read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    There was one major, major plot point that required complete suspension of disbelief. And that is when we discover that the humans and Oankali from Low (sorry, I listened to the audiobook so I'm not sure of spelling) didn't rescue Akin from Phoenix...because they couldn't find him?!?

    So disappointing. I was expecting an intriguing explanation, like maybe they wanted him to really experience the resisters, or something. I started getting confused when Akin missed bonding with his sibling, because it was of utmost importance. And my concern grew as the cavalry still didn't show up, because I couldn't imagine the Oankali allowing that to happen, and I was thinking they were surely much crueler than the series had yet led us to believe. Just that thought was so out of character.

    But it's also out of character that they would never look for him in the one resister village that they were most familiar with. What the hell! And they seem really good at finding their way around. Based on every characterization of Oankali up to that point, they would have zero trouble tracking down Akin.

    I think I'm going to go down to four stars on this book. It was great, but I do not appreciate such a terrible plot hole. It's like Butler knew there was no way Akin would be left that long, so she tried to handwave it away.

    Still highly recommended.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Having an alien-human child be separated from his family and live among humans makes it easy to describe life on Earth after humans nearly destroy themselves and aliens arrive.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Lilith of Dawn becomes a mother of a child who is partly human and partly Oankali - Akin. Born into extraordinary consciousness, Akin is kidnapped by Resisters, and left with them when all of his parents decide that it will be valuable for everyone for him to get to know rebellious humans. This action prevents him from bonding with his almost-born sibling, but has vast reprecussions when Akin becomes mature and decides to bring Resisters with him to populate Mars, made possible by the skills and knowledge of the Ooloi and the Oankali. As beautifully written by the fantastic world builder, this second novel suspensefully leads into the final one: can humans and partial humans curb their violence and make a new world?
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I wavered between three and four stars for this one. I eventually decided on four because despite my annoyance with the constant talk of mating and the sexual function of the Oankali, I deeply admire the very fluid and ingenious way that Butler introduces her central issues and messages.
    Much like Dawn, the first book in this series, we have been presented with moral and ethical dilemmas that do not have easy answers.
    The Oankali have saved Earth and the few remaining inhabitants from a man made disaster. We apparently went to war and destroyed not only ourselves but our planet. According to the Oankali we have two incompatible traits that are the cause of our near distinction: intelligence and our hierarchical nature. They have proposed a trade in which we can be saved and they can sample our unique genetics. They propose a blending of our races, but in doing so, humankind will cease to exist as we know it.
    The Oankali have a complex mating/communication system that rankles against our very fixed understanding of gender and sexuality. The Oankali have male and female but also a third nongender and all three are needed for procreation as well as sexual pleasure. Human men have the most difficult time with this concept.
    I won't drop any heavy spoilers but consider these points that dominate the plot:
    1. Do the Oankali have the right to help us even if we don't want the help?
    2. Should we accept said help even if it means the end of our race as we know it, by creating a biracial tri-gendered species that is no longer quite human?
    3. What is humanity or what does it mean to be human?
    4. Humankind in this fascinating tale has been given the opportunity to reestablish communities on Earth after the Oankali healed her. Humankind has proven to be violent, stubborn, hierarchical, possessive, unruly, and in many ways cruel. We are very inhumane. With that in mind, considering our self destructive natures, do we even deserve to be saved in this human form with the flaws identified as responsible for our undoing in tact?
    5. The Oankali, being a tri-gendered race have a method of procreation that while it is definitely pleasure based relies as much on the mental as the physical and it blurs the lines of gender as well as considerations of incest. As you can imagine humans have a difficult time sorting this out.
    While I'm not bothered by the blurring of sexuality in these books, I am a bit disturbed by the amount of time dedicated to the intricacies. The Oankali love new sensations, love receiving and giving pleasure, so even the most mundane exchanges of information of communications come off as sexual. Admittedly, I'm still having confusion about how all of this works, despite Butler's clear resonant prose. That said, there is so much discussion of finding a mate, the act of mating, the act of linking, arousal, sex and lovemaking , non-consensual encounters between human and Oankali, actual violent rape among the humans, puberty and metamorphosis that I felt absolutely drenched in sex throughout this entire book. To be clear, this isn't some raunchy blow by blow, but the imagery is certainly plain and often enough to rankle, and it felt like overload to me.
    What I admire most is Butler's ability to write human being as they are. Her view of humanity is candid and rings true in every way. She doesn't spare our feelings with some pie in the sky picture of humanity. In this series, we have been laid bare on the page in all of our glory and flaws. Boy are we flawed. With that truth in mind the mood of this tale is fairly dark and while I actually prefer my stories that way, the sheer reality and honesty make this a particularly heavy read. I may take a break before finishing this trilogy. We'll see.

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book fixed just about all the things in the plot that did not sit well with me. If I said anything else, other than good job, Akin, main character, then I'd be giving you spoilers. Starting the final book now.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    I didn't finish it, so feel free to disregard my comments. Butler is really good at writing disturbing stories. The thing that ultimately made me put it down was the attitude of the Ooloi, who seemed very rapey to me. Coercive intermediaries telling you "This is what you want." They just got under my skin.