just finished reading octavia butler’s survivor (1978). although this book has some good ideas, it is one of the first books i’ve read of hers that i wasn’t overly impressed with. this is tough to write coming from a huge butler fan. but i write it off as it being her early years. she was 31 years old when it was published, and the third in her patternmaster series (a five part series), with the other two published in 1976 and 1977. she was clearly coming into her own at the time. as a hugo and nebula awards winner, she made her mark, showing that she truly had what it takes to create a great story. survivor may not be her greatest work, but it is fetching no less than $100 online these days. maybe someone lucky might find it for less, but that is the going price. and that might be because the book is no longer in print.
the publisher at the time didn’t seem to serve butler well, as there are numerous errors that any decent copy editor and/or proofreader should have picked up. i believe they played a huge role in that book not being at the standard she is probably accustomed to. every great writer needs a great editor. they are partners in the writing world and need each other like a fish needs water.
i wouldn’t deter anyone from reading survivor. but i’d advise that if you are new to octavia butler, do NOT let that be the first book you read. let it be the last!
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