STRANGER COMMUNITIES.

Butler, Octavia E., 1947-2006; African American women novelists; Power (Social sciences) in literature; Race in literature; Slavery in literature; Race relations in literature; Kindred (Book : Butler); Wild Seed (Book)

The article highlights the visions of African American science fiction author Octavia E. Butler on struggle and symbiosis evident on her collected works. Topics discussed are intimate power that transforms relationships into collective destiny, depiction of racial schism in an organization of telepaths in "Childfinder," slavery as a condition of existence, the gap between Black and white and interracial patriotism in "Kindred," and American slavery and human parasitism in "Wild Seed."