Kindred cover art

Kindred

Preview

Free with 30-day trial
A 30-day trial plus your first audiobook free.
1 credit/month after trial—to buy any title you like, yours to keep.
Listen all you want to a selection of thousands of Audible Originals, audiobooks and podcasts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.

Kindred

By: Octavia E. Butler
Narrated by: Kim Staunton
Free with 30-day trial

$16.45/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $32.99

Buy Now for $32.99

Confirm Purchase
Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.
Cancel

About this listen

The first science-fiction written by a Black woman, Kindred has become a cornerstone of African-American literature. This combination of slave memoir, fantasy, and historical fiction is a novel of rich literary complexity.

Having just celebrated her 26th birthday in 1976 California, Dana, an African-American woman, is suddenly and inexplicably wrenched through time into antebellum Maryland. After saving a drowning White boy there, she finds herself staring into the barrel of a shotgun and is transported back to the present just in time to save her life.

During numerous such time-defying episodes with the same young man, she realizes the challenge she's been given: to protect this young slaveholder until he can father her own great-grandmother.

Author Octavia E. Butler skilfully juxtaposes the serious issues of slavery, human rights, and racial prejudice with an exciting science-fiction, romance, and historical adventure. Kim Staunton's narrative talent magically transforms the listener's earphones into an audio time machine.

©2000 Octavia Butler (P)2000 Recorded Books, LLC
African American Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction Time Travel

Critic Reviews

"[Kindred] is a shattering work of art with much to say about love, hate, slavery and racial dilemmas, then and now." (Los Angeles Herald Examiner)

"Truly terrifying." (Essence)

"Butler's literary craftsmanship is superb." (The Washington Post Book World)

What listeners say about Kindred

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    119
  • 4 Stars
    39
  • 3 Stars
    9
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    2
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    111
  • 4 Stars
    26
  • 3 Stars
    8
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    104
  • 4 Stars
    33
  • 3 Stars
    8
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Now I Understand Why its A Beloved Classic

Get passed the laboured opening and you will be well rewarded. Antebellum America is made real in this beautifully rendered time travel tale.. Now I understand why it's a beloved classic.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So much detail to history

I loved this version of the book kindred. I have ADHD so I read the book and the listen to it on audible at the same time. It was consistent with the wording except for a few sentences.
The actress playing the voice over for all of these characters is so talented in her work and gift.
This book even though written nearly 40yesrs ago is still very much relevant to todays society.
Facing issues from slavery, to intergenerational trauma and most specifically the dystopia twist.
This work needs to be more readily available for all young people to read and learn about black history and the conditions of living in the south at that era.
Very graphic scenes which made this book even so captivating could not put down - have purchased her next book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love!

This story and performance was fantastic!
Love all the different voices. Can’t wait to share the story with others

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Terrific book, wonderfully narrated.

This deserves the title of a classic. It's a thematically rich, very disturbing science fiction tale on slavery in the 19th Century US, and is worthy of multiple readings. I was thoroughly immersed in the story, and will certainly read more of Octavia Butler's novels.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What a brilliant performance!

This book was on my reading list for uni and I absolutely loved it so I’m going to purchase a hard copy. Checking my white privilege right about now. Thank you Octavia Butler!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting time jump story

This story about an African-american woman jumping back in time, the time before the civil war. I found the start a little confusing but the end was wow. Issues of slavery, freedom, violence and rap and how this linked to central characters. The narrator made this story stand out and hatd to press stop on.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A pioneering classic for a reason

Incredibly beautifully written, the plot keeps you guessing until the last chapter, and it’s read so well with different captivating voices and accents. Thank you Octavia E Butler.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

loved this story

Loved this story and narration. I can see why it is a classic . Very well read and good characters.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Unexpected joy

Wonderful story that caught me by surprise. Be warned if you’re triggered by the use of the N word. Great read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A window into shameful realities

Awareness and a real sense of what it was and somewhat still is when we live in such fear that we are able to commit the worst crimes to others that don’t look like us.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.