Adulthood Rites

Octavia E. Butler

ISBN 10: 0445209038 / ISBN 13: 9780445209039

Published by Grand Central Publishing, 1989

About this Item

First paperback printing of this modern science fiction classic. 2nd book of the Xenogenesis Trilogy, also known as Lilith's Brood. Pages are very lightly toned and clean without creases, marks, wrinkles or stains. The book's exterior is also spotless. There is a very light crease in the spine and light wear to edges of covers and spine. (Note: Photos may show a flash reflection.) PayPal always welcome. We pack all our books with care and ship in cardboard boxes. Shipment outside of the United States may require extra funds. Additional photos emailed upon request.

Seller Inventory # 083025-04

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Adulthood Rites
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Publication Date: 1989
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0445209038
• ISBN 13: 9780445209039
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
• Seller catalogs:
  • SCIENCE FICTION
  • AFRICAN-AMERICAN

About this title

Synopsis

Akin, the son of Dawn's heroine Lilith, is part human, part Oankali alien. Kidnapped by the last generation of humans that is sinking into savagery and suicide, it is up to Akin to save the future of humanity by becoming something he is not--completely human. Original.

Review

In this sequel to Dawn, Lilith Iyapo has given birth to what looks like a normal human boy named Akin. But Akin actually has five parents: a male and female human, a male and female Oankali, and a sexless Ooloi. The Oankali and Ooloi are part of an alien race that rescued humanity from a devastating nuclear war, but the price they exact is a high one--the aliens are compelled to genetically merge their species with other races, drastically altering both in the process. On a rehabilitated Earth, this "new" race is emerging through human/Oankali/Ooloi mating, but there are also "pure" humans who choose to resist the aliens and the salvation they offer. These resisters are sterilized by the Ooloi so that they cannot reproduce the genetic defect that drives humanity to destroy itself, but otherwise they are left alone (unless they become violent). When the resisters kidnap young Akin, the Oankali choose to leave the child with his captors, for he--the most &quothuman" of the Oankali children--will decide whether the resisters should be given back their fertility and freedom, even though they will only destroy themselves again. This is the second volume in Octavia Butler's Xenogenesis series, a powerful tale of alien existence.