Illustrated version of an article Butler wrote, with handy explanations of how to think about change in light of existing oppressions. Be aware that it's short!

Octavia E. Butler's work is, as always, grounded and accessible with the spark of inherent talent that makes a reader trust what she has to say. The imagery accompanying the writing was simply beautiful and connected with the energy often found in Butler's fiction writing.

The images, however, create a disjointed reading of the book in its electronic form. They add the necessary length to make this sellable as a book, and will undoubtedly be breathtaking in printed form, but are a bit irritating when reading. Now whether this is an inherent issue with the book or simply the consequences of reading a digitized copy remains to be seen, but arguably in this age of digital accessibility, a book should be designed or if necessary redesigned to offer an immersive experience on digital systems as well as in print.

Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the ARC! All opinions presented here are my own:

This is a short collection of essays and beautiful artwork throughout. Depending on the quality of the paper and cover, I could see this being a good coffee table book that guest could peruse quickly. It is a very quick read. I read it in less than 20 minutes as the page count was short, several pages were decorative, and the font was very large. This would make a nice decoration piece, but I wouldn’t recommend for people looking for a longer read.

This book was really difficult to get into. Which read however I believe it was meant to be motivational and just ended up being ok. Honestly predictable and hard to get through. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Fascinating world building and reflection from a master of creative voice. This book could function as an introduction to this author or a reading companion.

I'm definitely a fan of Octavia Butler, and of course, the title drew me in. It was like hearing from Octavia from beyond the grave.

Octavia Butler is a fantastic writer! I enjoyed this essay and I enjoyed the pictures that were mixed in with the writing.

Did this *need* to be a book? No. Is it good to have more of Octavia Butler’s words in the world? Yes, always. Beautiful art and powerful words in this (very short) essay, that’s good enough for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free ARC.

This is a short essay by Butler. It is both advice for aspiring authors and a discussion on the hopeless of predicting the future, and yet striving to be hopeful and to keep working to improve any current or future situation.

The design is done well. The font is rather large. The artwork is done well and fits the mood of the piece,

Her writing on the misrepresentation of her thoughts on hope for the future was something that has stuck with me.

This is such a timely read. The illustrations are thought provoking. I feel that in the world's current state Butler's words speak to them in a prolific way even in a writing that was originally published over 20 years ago. I can only imagine what Butler would have to say about what is happening in our world today.

The passage about the child not knowing what Nazis were and the student who never feared nuclear war strike a chord over 70 days into an active genocide of the Palestinian people.

This is a great essay and I think everyone should take heed of Butler's words.

Gorgeous artwork accompanies a timely essay by the brilliant Octavia E Butler. Her words of wisdom ring true just as much today as when she wrote them. The artwork is incredible, I can't wait to purchase this as a hardcover because it's such a work of art accompanying profound words.

Thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the ARC!

This is quite a brief essay, but I did enjoy reading it. It’s beautiful to look at, and I think the premise of turning this genre of writing into a sort of multi-modal art piece is really compelling.


That said, I feel similarly to some other reviewers in that I’m not sure it quite works. I found the visuals to be more disruptive than additive, and while I liked the book as a whole package, I also felt like the essay was harder to engage with when the visuals so deliberately cued me up like, “Okay, here’s a real bombshell line.”

While the essay is good, I wasn’t able to appreciate it as such because the design wanted me to view it as great.

I think I will probably be in the minority attitude here, so I it's still worth checking out, especially if you have any sort of attachment to Butler’s work.

Octavia Butler is the freaking GOAT and I'm so stoked to see this essay of hers treated with the RESPECT that it DESERVES. Okay, enough all-caps.

I may be biased, but this essay encapsulates how much Butler has done for the genre of sci-fi and illustrates how intimately our politics are reflected in what and how we read. On predicting the future, Butler writes: "[...] making predictions is one way to give warning when we see ourselves drifting in dangerous directions. Because prediction is a useful way of pointing out safer, wiser courses."

Reading has always been a way to expand my horizons and challenge what I know, and I'm not alone in this! I hope more folks pick up Butler's work because of this text.

This was a solid essay that posed interesting ideas about the future. I wouldn't say that this essay changed how I was thinking in some mind-blowing way, but it was thought-provoking which is what I was hoping for.

Octavia E. Butler is the seer of our generation, those born during the 1970s and 1980s. During this time, the United States was unraveling from the heavy weight of its global imperialist and nuclear ambitions, with Americans living in constant terror of others, both internal and external enemies. Through the dystopian novels "Parable of the Sower" (1993) and "Parable of the Talents" (1998), she brought to light the impending doom brought on by racism and classism.

The compact volume featuring Butler’s 2000 essay "A Few Rules for Predicting the Future" offers a peek into the seer’s process for imagining worlds that eerily mirror our present realities. In the essay, Butler discusses the importance of knowing history to understand present-day crises, such as the rise of fascism. In “Parable of the Talents,” Butler prophesied the election of a despot who gained popularity by declaring that he could “Make America Great Again.” Every action yields a consequence: What we do in the here and now produces what will come next.

“To study history is to study humanity.” Butler’s words are as poignant today as they were when they were first written. This book would make a great addition to any science fiction library. I reviewed the digital copy and was thoroughly impressed by Manzel Bowman’s art. Bowman interprets the aesthetics of the worlds that Butler has built, showcasing birth and decay, dissolution and emergence.

Who am I to give feedback on the work of a literary giant like Octavia Butler? I was introduced to her work a few years ago and promptly read through the majority of her works. I think Octavia Butler is as wise as she is creative and I greatly admire her work.

A Few Rules for Predicting the Future is a five star read for me. It's brief, but thoughtful and insightful. I do think this will be even better in print when it becomes available. I am so grateful to NetGalley for granting me early access to this important essay.

The illustrations in this copy are absolutely stunning. This is the kind of book you can use as a coffee table book and conversation starter.

How can one little essay have so many highlights? Octavia Butler somehow has a way of writing about massive topics in such a beautifully concise way. I had several highlighted sections throughout this essay but my favorite is:

“Moral: Wishful thinking is no more
help in predicting the future than fear,
superstition or depression.”

So, I have never read the work of Octavia Butler & was interested in trying her stuff, but I wanted a gentle entry. This title, "A Few Rules for Predicting the Future" an essay & quick read, met that requirement. I enjoyed it & will now be looking into more of Ms. Butler's titles. My sincere thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for the "read now" complimentary DRC, my pleasure to review it.

I was left pretty meh about it. I was expecting more than just a quote stretched out over a few pages with a couple of pictures.

Beautiful thought provoking essay accompanied with equally breathtaking illustrations. A wonderful little book to behold and to proudly display in one's bookshelf.