Following the recent devastating fires in Altadena and Pacific Palisades, many have pointed to science fiction author Octavia Butler's 1993 novel, 'Parable of the Sower,' as a chillingly prescient work. The novel depicts a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles ravaged by climate change, racism, and economic disparity. Butler's work has resonated strongly with those impacted by the fires, who see her writing as a blueprint for rebuilding.
Since the devastating fires in Altadena and Pacific Palisades, people have been pointing to science fiction author Octavia Butler, who wrote a book in the '90s,"The Parable of the Sower."Decades ago, the writer Octavia Butler had imagined a Los Angeles ravaged by fires. The Altadena cemetery where the science fiction and Afrofuturism author is buried did catch fire last week but suffered "minimal damage," according to a statement on the cemetery's web site.
RELATED: Generations of Black families built their lives in Altadena. Then the Eaton Fire swept through LA "Because she studied history with such care, she was able to accurately predict where we are right now," High said about Butler. "You call it science fiction, but she definitely had something special that let her see into the future what could happen," Jones said. "She was sending us a message for sure."
On Tuesday, crews were inside the closed cemetery, clearing away debris. Singed brush around the perimeter was the main sign of the fire's toll, though the surrounding area was quiet, replete with damaged structures. Butler herself once remembered a student asking her about her "Parable" books and whether she believed all of the troubles she described would take place.
OCAVIA BUTLER PARABLE OF THE SOWER CLIMATE CHANGE FIRES LOS ANGELES
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