'Wild Seed' by Octavia Butler

 Wild Seed, Octavia Butler (3.0)

I’ve heard much about Ms. Butler and her unique take on Sci-Fi and was looking forward to this well reviewed book. While I believe it to be well written and unique, the one-note plot left me hoping for more. I liked the unusual story of two ‘eternal’ beings in African bodies with unique powers existing during the time of slaves. As the Europeans kidnap people from Africa, Anyanwu sees her many generations of children being taken. Doro, the more powerful spirit, is drawn to her and she realizes she is not the only one with powers. We believe Doro is saving any unusual, powerful African, but sadly he is just culling them to become a multigenerational breeding farm in order to come up with a master race. The majority of the story is Doro oppressing as he uses Anyanwu as a baby making machine – with her hating him but obliging. After the chapters began with new and interesting ideas, I was disappointed that the rest of the story was monotonous and painful to read.

'In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex' by Nathaniel Philbrick

In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex,  Nathaniel Philbrick (3.5)

I do not recommend reading this book while noshing on sushi! In addition to the description of whale killing and dismembering, one can imagine the tale of how the shipmates tried to survive is not good material to read while dining. Philbrick gives the backstory of the young Nantucket sailors and the culture that leads them to venture on the ocean and return years later with thousands of gallons of whale oil. While Herman Melville based ‘Moby Dick’ on this true story, this author focuses more on the story after the ship is sunk by the whale. As far as adventure goes, I prefer ‘Endurance’ and Shackleton’s, but this is definitely an interesting, well-told story that clearly articulates the stress, tragedy and psychological affects both during and after the event.