#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheSower by Octavia E. Butler. #BookSky On page 59 of the 2023 edition of Parable of the Sower, Jo tells Lauren, "Books aren't going to save us." But what does Lauren teach us about books that can realistically help us to survive during challenging times? - ThreadSky

retired-librarian.bsky.social • 83 days ago

#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheSower by Octavia E. Butler. #BookSky

On page 59 of the 2023 edition of Parable of the Sower, Jo tells Lauren, "Books aren't going to save us." But what does Lauren teach us about books that can realistically help us to survive during challenging times?

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ashakhaladkar.bsky.social•80 days ago

It is ironic that Jo’s comment is recorded in Lauren’s book. I think this highlights the importance of keeping (written) records of what has happened so that we can trace our history. Although doing so will only help us if we take up the lessons they offer…

lampshadeoh.bsky.social•82 days ago

I think she not only received practical knowledge from books, like recipes etc. but also benefited from learning about history or even the fears of previous generations based on their experiences, in her grandmother’s dystopian novels. There is wisdom in both the factual and the imagined (Handmade)

undauntedjem.bsky.social•83 days ago

Knowledge is power. When there is no one willing to teach - books are the only way. BUT luckily Lauren’s father exposes her to some knowledge (that there are people that can teach things in the neighborhood) because having a sense of purpose is also important for keeping hope.

amwesselmann.bsky.social•83 days ago

Lauren learned a lot of useful information from books, like the recipe for acorn bread, or geographical information. I thought that line was a bit ironic, but it was also practical in that choosing the type of books and actually reading them can make all the difference.

thorbee.bsky.social•83 days ago

I felt like it was a, books won’t save us but knowledge can help us survive. It made me feel happy that my personal library has forest foraging, plant medicine, and gardening books.

hearmeroar11.bsky.social•80 days ago

Much of what we need is in books. We learn from others who have come before, who write down what they experience so we can learn. We are often terrible at learning from the past, and instead, we think we know better. It's not just about reading; applying what you read and practicing it is required

scooper1958.bsky.social•78 days ago

For one thing, Lauren got a lot of survivalist information from books. In addition, book knowledge seems to have inspired Lauren's new creed and has given her a certain amount of perspective about her situation.

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