![]() ![]() The rules of this deal-with-the-deity story are as follows: Martha can make a single change and whatever society results, she must occupy the bottom rung of it. The human race is racing toward self-destruction and the black, female science fiction writer is being given the chance to save the world. Her last memories of earth are of writing, the "sweet frenzy of creation that she lived for."Īs it turns out, Martha is not dead God merely has a task for her. Her first concern is that she must be dead, and she doesn't want to be. Martha seems to be much like a younger Butler - a woman of 43, an African-American and a writer. In it, God tells Martha that she is free for the very first time. The opening to "The Book of Martha" makes for sad rereading now, though. They have their own strengths, and remind you of the pure stuff that made Butler's work so powerful. Neither, in my opinion, is absolutely first-rate Butler still, they are quintessential as to theme and character. Butler prior to her death in February, at the age of 58, were "The Book of Martha" and "Amnesty." Both were published in 2003, and both are available in the archives. The last two stories I read by Octavia E. ![]()
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