Bloodchild and Other Stories

by Octavia E. Butler · 1995

Bloodchild and Other Stories is a collection of short fiction by Octavia E. Butler that serves as a perfect introduction for new readers and a must‑have for longtime fans. The volume includes award‑winning stories such as the Hugo and Nebula‑winning "Bloodchild" and the Hugo‑winning "Speech Sounds," as well as newly printed works like "Amnesty," which follows a negotiator named Noah in a tense human‑alien coexistence, and "The Book of Martha," a speculative parable about what one would do if given the power to save humanity. The stories blend speculative, science‑fiction, fantasy, and horror elements to explore social, ethical, and political themes through vivid, often unsettling narratives.