Octavia E. Butler: The Last Interview And Other Conversations (book review).
Of the 28 books in this ‘Last Interview’ series, only 4 other people belong to our genre and Octavia E. Butler (1947-2006) is the latest.
In some respects, the main title of this book series is a bit of a misnomer as the interviews come from various times and at least in chronological order until the literally last interview before the person in question died. Even so, I did think some interviewers are likely to ask the same questions, there’s bound to be some repetition so reading the ten interviews at two a day. Having read the book, I’m glad to say either it was edited a little or focusing on a new book release at the time. Be warned: if you miss any books, your interest will be piqued to get them.
I’ve read a few of Butler’s books and know a little of her history. When she became an established author, even she admits she was a minority of one, being both black and a woman in Science Fiction but I hadn’t realised she was also partially dyslexic. From the looks of things, her presence inspired others. She does make a telling remark that there weren’t many black characters in SF books and those that were tended to be there to pull the racist card. From my own perspective and I only have one black character that I use regularly and don’t even touch on that is largely because its not familiar territory and don’t want to get any cultural differences too wrong. You could also say the same for Asian and oriental characters. It isn’t prejudice, more a case of not wanting to make cultural mistakes as to why they aren’t done by white authors. Mind you, considering that rarely is skin colour mentioned in genre stories, the reader can colour them whichever way they want.
As I said above and repeating here, there is one effect from reading these interviews and that is if you’ve missed any of Butler’s books, they will entice you to want to pick them up for a read. She’s very insightful in her conversations, often correcting misconceptions by her interviewers and woe betide you if she realised any book was skimmed than actually read. Fortunately, none of the interviewers here did that.
The 2002 interview with fellow writer Darrell Schweitzer is probably closest to them taking shop (the inner workings on the subject, like writing, for those who don’t know by now). Here, Butler gives her thoughts on how she could write novels as 20 page short stories because it was easier to handle that way and built them up. A thought for future is her best ideas came from when she was young so always note them down because you certainly can’t remember them all. Her points about global warming are still correct but then, people like me, have also said similar things.
Of course, we get to her last interview with Jen Hau Fontan about what would be her last novel, ‘Fledgling’, and reveals she had a heart problem but was looking forward to writing more novels. Alas, that was not to be and Butler died after a fall in 2006. Makes a note to also read ‘Fledgling’ upon discovering its not a normal vampire story.
As you can tell from my apprehension at the start of this review, I didn’t know quite to expect but glad to find this book exceeded my expectations and I’m a sucker for interviews. This one certainly built up a picture of Octavia Butler that deserves both your attention and buying some of her books at the end.
GF Willmetts
September 2023
(pub: Melville House Publishing, 2023. 172 page small enlarged paperback. Price; $19.99 (US), $25.99 (CAN), (UK). ISBN: 978-1-68589-105-3)
check out website: www.MHPbooks.com
