I can find no contemporary reviews of Kindred, Olivia Butler's 1979 novel, from any of the so-called mainstream media. Nothing from the New York Times Book Review, nothing from The New Yorker, nothing from any "prestigious" magazines or papers. I'm presenting Butler and the novel to a class that a) doesn't give a shit about science fiction, and b) has nothing but contempt for reviews from smaller periodicals or specialized magazines. Never mind that she won two Hugos and two Nebulas; those aren't the PULITZER PRIZE or anything. Never mind that she is the only science-fiction author—not just the only female, African-American sci-fi author, or the only African-American sci-fi author, or the only female sci-fi author—the only science-fiction author to win a MacArthur Genius grant. EVER.They've never heard of her, and genre fiction is second-rate at best.
Don't hate me, but I am just too tired right now to die on this particular hill.
If anyone can point me to a review these lit snobs won't sneer at, I'd appreciate it.
Re: One more (L.A. Times)
Date: 2010-05-03 11:36 am (UTC)Well, damn. Thanks.