Revisiting Octavia Butler's 'Survivor': Honoring a Complex Legacy
Alyssa Collins, the inaugural Octavia Butler fellow at Huntington, faced a dilemma when she discovered Butler's criticism of her lost novel, "Survivor." Despite Butler's negative views on the book, Collins eventually read it and understood the author's perspective. When offered the opportunity to write the introduction to the new edition of "Survivor" by Hachette Book Group's Grand Central Publishing, Collins hesitated but ultimately accepted the task. She believed that fans should have the chance to read the book with context that honored Butler's complex feelings towards it.
Published in 1978 as part of Butler's "Patternist" series, "Survivor" follows Alanna, a biracial orphan adopted by missionaries on a new planet. The novel was criticized by Butler for being rushed to publication and lacking in quality. Despite Butler's request for the book not to be reprinted, Grand Central Publishing decided to release a new edition of "Survivor" after recognizing the demand for Butler's work and the importance of making it accessible to readers.
Nana K. Twumasi, vice president and publisher of the Balance imprint at Grand Central Publishing, acknowledged the potential criticism of reprinting "Survivor" but emphasized the importance of honoring Butler's legacy and ensuring her work reaches a wider audience. The decision to republish the book was made in collaboration with the Octavia E. Butler Estate and other key stakeholders who believed that depriving readers of Butler's works would be unjust.
The new edition of "Survivor," set to be released on September 1, will include Butler's short story "A Necessary Being," the only short fiction set in the Patternist universe. Additionally, deluxe paperback editions of other titles in the "Patternist" series will be released on June 23, along with a new audio edition of "Kindred" read by CCH Pounder. Audio editions of "Parable of the Sower" and "Parable of the Talents" will follow in July, read by Anika Noni Rose. The decision to reissue these works reflects a growing interest in Butler's writing and a desire to make her work more accessible to a wider audience.
In conclusion, the decision to reprint "Survivor" and other works by Octavia Butler highlights the ongoing relevance and popularity of the author's writing. By making these works available to a new generation of readers, publishers and the Octavia E. Butler Estate aim to honor Butler's legacy and ensure that her groundbreaking contributions to science fiction continue to be celebrated and appreciated.