Novel suppressed for over 40 years returns to print, a move that runs counter to the late author's expressed wishes.
Octavia Butler's 1978 novel, 'Survivor,' long kept out of circulation by the author herself, is slated for re-release this September. This publication, greenlit by Hachette Book Group and Butler's estate, proceeds despite Butler's lifetime refusal to allow the book to be reprinted. The decision to bring 'Survivor' back to shelves signifies a departure from Butler's personal wishes, positioning the estate and publisher against the author's clear intent.
The novel centers on Alanna, the adopted daughter of a missionary leader, who navigates the complex interactions between her human colonist group and the native Kohn on a distant planet. Alanna's journey involves preventing her people's assimilation and protecting their technology from the Kohn, a conflict exacerbated by the Garkohn's alleged manipulation of the Missionaries through a mind-altering plant. Critics who have seen the book suggest that while it may not redefine Butler's oeuvre, it offers a narrative that aligns with some contemporary fantasy bestsellers.
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Butler, a pioneering figure in science fiction and fantasy, died twenty years ago. Her literary agent, Merrilee Heifetz, who also represented Butler during her life, acknowledged that Butler never anticipated the substantial readership she commands today. Heifetz noted that Butler's decisions were not made lightly, and the current estate believes that Butler might have viewed 'Survivor' differently in the context of her later, broader success.
'Survivor' is understood to contain elements that tie into Butler's larger 'Patternist' series, although its primary narrative operates largely independently of the other books in that sequence. The novel details the early contact between human missionaries fleeing Earth and the indigenous Kohn. The Kohn communicate through colors and, according to the book's descriptions, have become addicted to a plant controlled by the Garkohn. This sets the stage for a struggle where Alanna's cross-cultural negotiation skills become pivotal.
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The renewed interest in 'Survivor' coincides with a broader re-appreciation of Butler's work. Despite her apparent reservations about 'Survivor,' Butler herself reportedly discouraged readings of the novel while actively encouraging engagement with her other works, such as 'Kindred.' The estate's decision to publish 'Survivor' suggests a re-evaluation of its place within her collected works, especially in light of her enduring legacy and extensive fan base.
Contextualizing the Release:
'Survivor' was first published in 1978 by Doubleday. The novel is part of a larger body of work that includes series like 'Xenogenesis,' 'Parable,' and 'Patternist,' as well as standalone novels like 'Kindred' and 'Fledgling.' The 'Patternist' series, in particular, explores themes of genetic manipulation, telepathy, and societal control, threads that appear to be present in 'Survivor' as well. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens also plays a role in preserving Butler's legacy, with Alyssa Collins leading initiatives as the inaugural director of the Octavia E. Butler Scholars program.
