For those interested in time travel: ‘Kindred’ A TV adaptation of “Dawn” from Victoria Mahony and Ava DuVernay has been announced. Lilith is one of the few human survivors saved by an alien race that wants to interbreed with them for both races’ survival. The Xenogenesis trilogy is set in a world where humans have made Earth uninhabitable through nuclear war. “Wild Seed” is being adapted into a TV series produced by Viola Davis and Julius Tennon.įor those interested in aliens: The Xenogenesis series Those who wish to follow the timeline established within the series should start with “Wild Seed,” which introduces the African immortals who start it all. Readers who choose to follow the order that Butler wrote the books should start with “Patternmaster,” which is chronologically the last in the series. The series’ timetable does not correspond with the publication order of the books. The Patternist series - comprised of “Patternmaster” (1976), “Mind of My Mind” (1977), “Survivor” (1978), “Wild Seed” (1980) and “Clay’s Ark” (1984) - is about how this world came to be. In a distant future, humans are split into three genetic categories - those with telepathic abilities, those mutated from an alien plague and ordinary humans.

For those interested in special powers: The Patternist series While this guide is based on a defining sci-fi convention of the work, Butler’s stories always involve a deeper exploration of societal issues.

Here is a quick guide for budding Butler enthusiasts trying to decide what to read after finishing the “Parable” series. Lauren’s story continues as she develops and builds a community around her new beliefs in “Parable of the Talents,” published in 1998.

“Parable of the Sower” is the first installment of the unfinished trilogy.

Sower book