I read Kindred last year and was so struck by the story. As a time traveler/sci-fi writer of young adult novels myself (https://edgeofyesterdaybooks.com) I was struck especially by how Dana's time travels initiated, how she came back-and-forth to different times--often to scenes of violence and always disoriented--and how it felt to try to explain to her poor, bewildered and frightened-for-her husband in her present what was happening to her, a modern woman: racism, enslavement and the worst kinds of violence as totally acceptable in that time past.
Her scenes are vivid and hold nothing back. Last year, when I was in Paris, I stumbled on a graphic novel adaptation of Kindred, which brings the pictures in my head to the page. Not sure how I feel "seeing" the story in this way versus how I imagined these characters, including Rufus, the young boy she saves over and over who becomes her master.
You are so fortunate to have studied with her, Christine! I want to check out your books.
Ahhh, Robin - thanks so much. As a fellow time-travel nerd, "Kindred" truly blew my mind and heart wide open when I discovered Octavia's work 30 years ago. I love your reflections.
Sadly, I didn't enjoy the graphic novel, as much as I wanted to (I'm an artist working on a graphic novel). Thanks for checking out my novel, Twins of Tessar. It's time travel, too, the first in a series that I must complete!
I read Kindred last year and was so struck by the story. As a time traveler/sci-fi writer of young adult novels myself (https://edgeofyesterdaybooks.com) I was struck especially by how Dana's time travels initiated, how she came back-and-forth to different times--often to scenes of violence and always disoriented--and how it felt to try to explain to her poor, bewildered and frightened-for-her husband in her present what was happening to her, a modern woman: racism, enslavement and the worst kinds of violence as totally acceptable in that time past.
Her scenes are vivid and hold nothing back. Last year, when I was in Paris, I stumbled on a graphic novel adaptation of Kindred, which brings the pictures in my head to the page. Not sure how I feel "seeing" the story in this way versus how I imagined these characters, including Rufus, the young boy she saves over and over who becomes her master.
You are so fortunate to have studied with her, Christine! I want to check out your books.
Ahhh, Robin - thanks so much. As a fellow time-travel nerd, "Kindred" truly blew my mind and heart wide open when I discovered Octavia's work 30 years ago. I love your reflections.
Sadly, I didn't enjoy the graphic novel, as much as I wanted to (I'm an artist working on a graphic novel). Thanks for checking out my novel, Twins of Tessar. It's time travel, too, the first in a series that I must complete!