Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation
Product ID: 38227179
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The graphic novel adaptation of Octavia E. Butler’s bestselling dystopian science-fiction masterpiece Kindred is a #1 New York Times bestseller and the winner of the Eisner Award for Best Adaptation from Another Medium. Frightening, compelling, and richly imagined, Kindred offers an unflinching look at our complicated social history, transformed by the graphic novel format into a visually stunning work for a new generation of readers. Kindred continues to draw in new readers with its deep exploration of the violence and loss of humanity caused by slavery in the United States, and its complex and lasting impact on the present day. Adapted by celebrated academics and comics artists Damian Duffy and John Jennings, this graphic novel powerfully renders Butler’s mysterious and moving story, which spans racial and gender divides in the antebellum South through the 20th century. Butler’s most celebrated, critically acclaimed work tells the story of Dana, a young Black woman who is suddenly and inexplicably transported from her home in 1970s California to the pre–Civil War South. As she time-travels between worlds, one in which she is a free woman and one where she is part of her own complicated familial history on a Southern plantation, she becomes frighteningly entangled in the lives of Rufus, a conflicted white slaveholder and one of Dana’s own ancestors, and the many people who are enslaved by him. Beloved as an essential work in feminist, science fiction, and fantasy genres, as well as a cornerstone of the Afrofuturism movement, the intersectionality of race, history, and the treatment of women addressed in the book are critical topics in contemporary dialogue, both in the classroom and in the public sphere. Review: At last a graphic novel adaptation of Butler's masterpiece. A tremendous story deftly adapted and illustrated. - Octavia Butler's Kindred is one of a handful of "must-read" books. The story - of a young woman in 1976 California who is inexplicably transported back in time to 19th century Maryland to (repeatedly) save the life of her distant ancestor - is a powerful commentary on race, how the institution of slavery has impacted America in the present, and asks readers to consider hard, uncomfortable questions about who we as a nation are, who we want to be, and how should we remember and consider the past. I am overjoyed that this work is finally a graphic novel. As with any story that is translated into another medium, there are gems and important plot points that are lost. Among those in _Kindred_ is the inter-racial nature of the protagonist's marriage, and many of the details of how each experiences the 19th century given their race. Sometimes these omissions and editorial decisions get in the way of the story or its impact. In the case of the graphic novel adaptation, there is still plenty of gut-wrenching material and thought-provoking issues raised that the spirit of the story remains true to what Butler wrote. Jenning's artwork cleverly brings Duffy's adaptation to life - the variations of color and shading as well as the illustrations of the characters themselves don't distract from the story, and in many respects add to it (particularly in "The Fight" and the Epilogue). For readers unfamiliar with Butler's work, I cannot recommend _Kindred_ highly enough. For fans of graphic novels (or those who prefer this medium to the source text), the themes, message and plot remain close to the book, with little interference (and some graphic assistance), making this a recommended read. Review: Dark fantasy with a vital purpose - I’ve been meaning to read Octavia Butler’s Kindred for years, so when I saw that it had just been adapted as a graphic novel I jumped at the opportunity to finally read it while continuing to feed my insatiable appetite for comics. Mind you, I’m not trying to claim that reading this version should serve as a substitute for reading the novel itself. However I do think that illustrating Butler’s story makes it all the more gut-wrenching. Kindred is the tale of a modern African-American woman’s repeated experience of being suddenly transported from her home in 1970s California back to the antebellum South. It’s a very powerful story of courageous survival, both that of Dana, a modern woman forced to adapt to life as a black person in the era of American slavery, as well as the people of the period, whose lives become intimately intertwined with Dana’s. By following Dana through her repeated and increasingly long and dangerous visits to an antebellum plantation in Maryland we form an emotional connection with her that serves to help modern day humans better comprehend the myriad horrors of slavery as well as the strength of those who endured and overcame it. It’s dark fantasy with a vital purpose and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
| Best Sellers Rank | #104,926 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #27 in Dystopian Graphic Novels #31 in Historical & Biographical Fiction Graphic Novels #35 in Literary Graphic Novels (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,214 Reviews |
D**N
At last a graphic novel adaptation of Butler's masterpiece. A tremendous story deftly adapted and illustrated.
Octavia Butler's Kindred is one of a handful of "must-read" books. The story - of a young woman in 1976 California who is inexplicably transported back in time to 19th century Maryland to (repeatedly) save the life of her distant ancestor - is a powerful commentary on race, how the institution of slavery has impacted America in the present, and asks readers to consider hard, uncomfortable questions about who we as a nation are, who we want to be, and how should we remember and consider the past. I am overjoyed that this work is finally a graphic novel. As with any story that is translated into another medium, there are gems and important plot points that are lost. Among those in _Kindred_ is the inter-racial nature of the protagonist's marriage, and many of the details of how each experiences the 19th century given their race. Sometimes these omissions and editorial decisions get in the way of the story or its impact. In the case of the graphic novel adaptation, there is still plenty of gut-wrenching material and thought-provoking issues raised that the spirit of the story remains true to what Butler wrote. Jenning's artwork cleverly brings Duffy's adaptation to life - the variations of color and shading as well as the illustrations of the characters themselves don't distract from the story, and in many respects add to it (particularly in "The Fight" and the Epilogue). For readers unfamiliar with Butler's work, I cannot recommend _Kindred_ highly enough. For fans of graphic novels (or those who prefer this medium to the source text), the themes, message and plot remain close to the book, with little interference (and some graphic assistance), making this a recommended read.
M**A
Dark fantasy with a vital purpose
I’ve been meaning to read Octavia Butler’s Kindred for years, so when I saw that it had just been adapted as a graphic novel I jumped at the opportunity to finally read it while continuing to feed my insatiable appetite for comics. Mind you, I’m not trying to claim that reading this version should serve as a substitute for reading the novel itself. However I do think that illustrating Butler’s story makes it all the more gut-wrenching. Kindred is the tale of a modern African-American woman’s repeated experience of being suddenly transported from her home in 1970s California back to the antebellum South. It’s a very powerful story of courageous survival, both that of Dana, a modern woman forced to adapt to life as a black person in the era of American slavery, as well as the people of the period, whose lives become intimately intertwined with Dana’s. By following Dana through her repeated and increasingly long and dangerous visits to an antebellum plantation in Maryland we form an emotional connection with her that serves to help modern day humans better comprehend the myriad horrors of slavery as well as the strength of those who endured and overcame it. It’s dark fantasy with a vital purpose and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
B**0
Powerful! Intense!
This book should be required reading for 8th graders! I felt as though I was experiencing the protagonist's pain and fear right along with her. It's refreshing to read about history when the medium is interesting.
K**.
Great adaptation
Not entirely sure how to review this because I'm fairly new to graphic novels and this is my first ever novel-to-graphic-novel adaptation. It was good. The illustration style was viscerally colorful and energetic, which I think translated the feeling of the story really well. I read Kindred more than 2 years ago so this graphic novel served as a great brush up on the story for my book club. I thought Butler's Kindred was phenomenal and I recommend it to everyone I know. I don't think I would ever recommend someone reads this graphic novel adaptation instead of the original text. It's great but for me personally, I felt like I missed Butler's voice a little in this adaptation. However, if you prefer graphic novels and it's either don't read it or read this- then this is definitely the way to go because you should not skip this story. I am still interested in reading the graphic novel adaptation of Parable of the Sower because that is another one of my faves and I think I could get on board with this trend the more I engage with it.
B**S
LOVED THIS
If you've read the novel or not, this visual graphic novel is an excellent read. I'm amazed at how they were able to capture elements of the book so well to not lose any of the plot.
J**E
The book is amazing
The graphic are amazing it put even more life to the story
T**T
Blew My Mind
I read the novels years ago and it was intense because Butler dealt honestly about the nature of humanity and slavery, about misogyny and racism, and about United States history. This graphic novel takes the descriptions and feelings and puts them into the drawing and keeps the action going at a fast rate. It does not include everything in the novel but there is enough to cause most of us discomfort when reading and hopefully stir up interest in the topics to encourage people to do their own reading and take more classes on slavery in the USA.
M**E
Good Read!
I purchased and read this graphic novel for a Book Club. I must say I’m anxious to read the actual novel as this was a powerful yet intense story. Given the small difference between paperback and hardcover, I opted for the hardcover and it didn’t disappoint. The artwork and storytelling are nicely done for an adaptation.
M**A
Ottimo libro
Libro ben fatto, dall'aspetto magnifico. Arrivato nei tempi prestabiliti in ottime condizioni!
C**E
A book when its a comic book
Didnt realise its written like a comic book do couldnt get into it
A**R
Five Stars
A brilliant, beautiful adaptation of a great novel--highly recommended!
A**R
Very good graphic novel
This graphic novel is a good entry point into slavery in the southern United States. Kids 13 and up would benefit from reading it, most especially ones that struggle with reading.
B**N
great read
wonderful novel about many great topics, great read and amazing illustrations
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