Parable of the Sower

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler is a dystopian science fiction novel set in a near-future America ravaged by climate change, economic collapse, and social chaos. The story follows Lauren Olamina, a young Black woman with hyperempathy, the ability to feel others’ pain. As her gated community is destroyed, she travels north in search of safety, gathering a group of followers along the way.

Lauren creates a new belief system called Earthseed, centered on the idea that "God is Change" and that humanity’s destiny is to take root among the stars. The novel explores themes of survival, resilience, community, faith, and social injustice.

Published in 1993, it is the first book in Butler’s unfinished Earthseed series and remains a powerful, prophetic work.