in gathering my thoughts to review this book, i looked back to my review of the first novel, which i wrote in november of last year. i remember it being a rather poignant reminder of the political turmoil of the end of trump's presidency, where things like his ideologies could lead, and finding comfort in the idea that change can be something that is actively embraced, not feared and despised

and i believe that in the months since, i've come to embrace that idea myself. which is why, reading through parable of the talents, i found it rather appropriate that the belief was challenged so mercilessly by the events of the novel. this is not a feel good novel, and if it were, it would not be nearly so powerful. unlike the last book, the events of this one bear a *striking* resemblance to a lot of modern society; political zealotry, fascism, blind belief with no substance to ground it from hypocrisy

and yet, despite all of that, the simple truth that things will never be the same as they were, even a mere moment ago. that alone is grounding. that alone demands a choice from us. a choice to either accept and use change for the betterment of ourselves and others, or a choice to fight it and anyone who does accept it until the whole world goes mad.

olamina is not a perfect leader, or person for that matter. no human being alive can ever hope to be. but that is no excuse for giving up on the things that do matter. the potential for change that exists within all of us. i've mentioned in many prior reviews that i believe that all the media we consume changes us. how fitting then, that olamina, through butler's work, seems to be speaking directly to that belief of mine, and challenging me to do something with it. to surround myself with people and books and ideas that change me and the world around me. i know i'll be taking this novel, and the ways it has changed me, with me far into the future