1.27.2020
DNF @50 pages
1 Star

I had tried to read the novel "Kindred" and just couldn't get into the whole concept [I have learned that I love sci-fi to WATCH. To read, not so much]. Then a friend told me about the graphic novel and I tried it and absolutely loved it. So I was really excited that Parable was coming up as a graphic novel ARC.
I have not read the novel Parable of the Sower. I actually didn't really know what this was even about. And once I read a synopsis, I was really excited to dive in. That said, this graphic novel was very disappointing. I like color to my illustrations and there was none. Nada [according to the letter at the beginning of the book, this graphic novel WILL be in color when its published, but that doesn't help the reader right now]. Actually, there were squares that were done in blue ink instead of the black and white and that was even more disconcerting than the black and white sketches. Oh yeah, the illustrations in this graphic novel are mostly sketches and that didn't really translate well. And I found that I am not a fan. At all. It was very difficult to read and the teeny print made it even more difficult. Even when blowing up the screen, the print was minuscule. After 50 pages, I was getting a headache and was done.
I liked the idea of the story and once done, it might really be a great read and I might be tempted to pick up the book again once its published, but if the print is still that tiny, I will have to pass again.

Thank you to NetGalley and ABRAMS/Abrams ComicArts for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

*UPDATED REVIEW*
Read 2.23.2025
5 Stars

** This was a NetGalley ARC [original release date <b>1.28.2020</b>] and I finally looked for it at my online library to read and review, and I finally found both it and the time to really sit and read this. I was unable to do so at the time due to a completely unreadable ARC [I believe there was 8-10 pages of rough artwork and some text and that was it. Nothing to really get a feel for the story] file; my review is below. **

GREAT. GOOGLY. MOOGLY.

Reading this after the recent horrific fires in Los Angeles, and what has happened with the election and the aftermath, made the events in the book seem VERY REAL and very timely.

Other than the 'Kindred' graphic novel I read before I tried to read this ARC, I still have not read Octavia E. Butler and I feel, that if you, like me, have also not read her, this is a great place to start. Though be prepared; Ms. Butler does not mince words, hide the hard stuff [and this book is filled with hard stuff], or try to sugarcoat anything. And by the end, you will think it is one of the best things that you have ever read in your life.

As difficult as this book is to read [and it is VERY difficult, no matter what is happening around you], I am 1. very glad I was finally able to read this, and 2. I highly recommend EVERYONE read this [and the graphic novel of 'Kindred' that was published before this] and realize just how close we are to what happens in this book. It was horrific and terrifying and absolutely brilliant, with some seriously amazing artwork. It was absolutely outstanding.

Thank you to NetGalley, Octavia E. Butler, Damian Duffy - Adaptor, John Jennings - Illustrator, and ABRAMS/Abrams ComicArts for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a wonderful adaption! The art style is great and is a great rendering of the story. It made me want to re-read the book.

I really love the original novel, so really enjoyed the illustrations and story adaptation. I think my only criticism.isnthat the ending felt a little rushed.

I highlighted this book on my Booktube channel. The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/Vuk6cDTe9tU

I have just begun reading Octavia Butler and this was a great introduction. Compelling story and vibrant, gorgeous artwork. I have not read the novel yet so cannot compare the graphic adaptation to the original.

This was an amazing book, makes for a great graphic novel, too. The fact that she struggles, but keeps surviving and teaches others to do so, is inspiring. Can't wait to see what the next one will be like.

Parable of the Sower is one of my favorite books. The graphic novel adaption of an earlier Octavia Butler book had me excited for this. I was not let down! This is a gorgeous adaptation of a moving modern classic.

I'm just beginning my Octavia Butler journey, and this was an absolutely gorgeous way to discover this classic.

This was a difficult read. I found It hard for me to follow the thread of this story. The art style and the lettering were also hard to comprehend and read. This adaption of the source material is well done, it was just hard for me to get past the art.

Sent me right back to when I read the novel in college! The images are rich in color and bring out a wide range of emotion that perfectly shows the setting in a not so distant future. It is very close to the graphic novel, a great alternative to hesitant readers or those who want some visuals with their story.

I haven't read the novel, so I did not read this graphic novel as a comparison. I found it to be quite engaging. The illustrations were beautiful and the story pulled me in immediately. Well done!

eARC provided by Netgalley.

As a graphic novel adaptation, I don't think this worked. I'm not sure how much of this is the fault of the unfinished ARC I received making this more difficult due to the unfinished art pieces, but I was consistently lost and unable to follow the narrative. I hope the actual book is better, and I'm excited to read that instead.

This is a really accomplished and enjoyable graphic novel adaptation of Octavia Butler’s classic science fiction novel.
The translation of the story to a new medium works well and good choices have been made about which elements to focus on. The artwork is similarly solid, vibrant and entertaining and stylistically well suited to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this ARC!

I have to start by saying that I haven't read the novel version of Parable of the Sower. That means I have no point of comparison, no initial expectations - when I read it, I'd even forgotten the synopsis. I went into it clean, and that's how I've judged this book - as a graphic novel.

This adaptation was beautiful. The art style and colouring were so detailed and immersive, the storytelling distinct. That being said, I don't know if adapting it into only one edition was the best decision. The story is divided into four years in Lauren's life, but her coming-of-age, if you will, only starts in the last year, when she is forced to leave her home. The preceding three years felt like a backstory that took up way too much of the plot. If that was indeed the case in this book, then maybe there could've been less backstory, more adventure. If that was not the case, then perhaps the story would have been better told in four separate graphic novels.

It's a shame that the story had to be divided between these different years, because as a result, we're unable to understand Lauren as much as we should've, despite her being the protagonist. There's a lot of telling when it comes to Lauren's compulsion towards Earthseed, but not explaining. Why does she feel the need to find her new religion? How did she come to the 'discoveries' that she did?

It was, however, still a wonderful experience reading this graphic novel. The visual aspect was truly one of the best parts, so rich and subtle and full of heart. Though you may or may not side with Lauren throughout the story (or at least the first three parts), you'll find yourself wishing for her survival, her success. This is a tale of empathy and kindness as a rebellion to chaos and resentment, a tale that leaves you with the hope that perhaps, against all odds, humanity will come to realise that we are stronger together.

A brilliant adaptation of the best selling book. Beautifully illustrated and top quality portrayal of the story.

Embarrassingly for a sci-fi buff, I've never read Butler's Parable of the Sower. So when I had the chance to read this graphic novel adaptation, I jumped for it.

The sotry is a classic for a reason, and still holds true today. I'm glad this adaptation allows the story to reach new readers.

I fell in love with the Duffy/Jennings take on Butler’s KINDRED a few years back, and when I heard that they would be taking on her wonderful Parables duology, I was *overjoyed.* (I still am.) Duffy displays a keen sensitivity to Butler’s style without overloading the graphic novel format, and Johnson’s style carries much of the weight of Butler’s world building––but again, without overwhelming the reader with too much noise. It’s a distinctive style, completely original and not easily confused with the baseline “comic book” line work, coloring, and lettering, which is competent but not particularly unique. Just like Butler and Duffy, Johnson’s work has *voice.* This is a book destined to become a part of my permanent collection once I am once more employed and allow myself to start buying books again (not allowing myself to buy books while unemployed is GREAT motivation for getting those job applications in). All this to say, it’s gorgeous, and it does justice to the source material, and I can’t wait for this team to polish off the second half of the duology as well. I. Can’t. WAIT.

Loved the artwork and it captured Octavia E. Butlers writing! Would highly recommend reading along side with the book.

I love Octavia Butler, but I did not love this adaptation. At least in the advance egalley copy I received, the illustrations were too minimalist to the point that they appeared unfinished, distracting and detracting from the source text.

I originally received this graphic novel as an advanced reader’s copy. The copy wasn’t finished so I didn’t feel I could adequately review. I have since read the novel and graphic novel. The graphic novel follows the basics of the novel. The artwork for the graphic novel is very minimal, seemingly like the lack of resources in the dystopian society the graphic novel depicts. Overall, I thought the graphic novel does justice to the novel but would have liked the artwork to be more graphic (no pun intended).