Book Review: Mind of My Mind (The Patternist Series)

Book Cover from Amazon

Mind of My Mind (The Patternist Series) by Octavia E. Butler

BOOK BLURB ON AMAZON

The baby’s name is Mary, and her father is immortal. For thousands of years he has orchestrated a selective breeding project, attempting to create a master race capable of controlling others through thought. Most of his attempts have resulted in volatile mutations, but Mary—whom he has raised in the rough part of a Southern California town—is the closest he has come to perfection. If he doesn’t handle her carefully, this greatest experiment will be his last.

As Mary comes of age, she begins to grow aware of her psychic powers. And when she learns of her father’s plans for her, she refuses to acquiesce. She challenges him to a psychic war, battling to free her people and set a new course for mankind.

Multiple Nebula and Hugo award–winning author Octavia Butler’s epic and thought-provoking Patternist series has fascinated generations of readers, exploring the effects of power and what it means to be human.

MY REVIEW

I asked my friends to recommend someone new and got “Octavia Butler” at the top of the list.

I can see why in this example of her writing. A very cool Gestalt psi story along the lines of Theodore Sturgeon’s More than Human (a personal favorite of my childhood – I guess I should book review that too – look for it in March).

The story is coming-of-age of an immortal trying to breed his equals. Problem is “daddy” is a tyrant and his children have been socialized to think his actions are normal. Now they ready to grow up and daddy isn’t ready to let go.