Dawn

Author: Octavia Butler
Published: 1987

Dawn is the first book of the Lilith's Brood (née Xenogenesis) trilogy. The story line is interesting (humanity destroys most of itself, aliens swing by, rescue survivors, exact payment of genetic trading/breeding of both species). More striking is the parallel I see between the plot and the structure of the novel as it relates to the reader.

If that makes any sense.

Through the story the main character, Lilith, considers how the aliens, the Oankali, are manipulating her. Events leading to her making choices seem engineered toward the choice the Oankali want. There are a few exceptions, mistakes, but for the most part, the Oankali have their way.

Likewise, the structure of the book seems geared to getting the reader to buy into Lilith's acceptance of her role. I know this is what any good writer is supposed to do. And perhaps my understanding of this in the book is a reflection of me thinking more about books as a writer than as a reader.

An example. In part one (of four), the book begins with the character in a room without windows or doors for some time, enduring interrogation and then meeting and reacting to the alien species. In the book, this happens fairly quickly. Lilith then takes a stroll with the alien, an extended 'You know, Bob ... ' conversation explaining all about the aliens.

This lays the groundwork for Lilith's grudging acceptance of her position in the alien world. The character describes herself as adaptable, a key attribute the Oankali use. Even so, I had the sense that I was the one being led along the path, by being told all the information in part one, I should now accept that Lilith is adaptable and open to being part of her new environment.

Another example. Part two has Lilith learning more and establishing deeper relationships with various Oankali. She is frustrated by limited access to information, but as a reader I am told repeatedly that the aliens are not lying, maybe not sharing all they could, but completely honest.

Later, when Lilith has to give other humans the 411 on what's up, they accuse her of lying, of being part of the lies of the Oankali (or whoever the guards of their prison are). As a reader I feel sympathy for Lilith, having bought into the Oankali truthfulness.

In ways, the book seems like a practicum on writing a science fiction novel. The story is a well known trope done very differently. There is the 'You know Bob ... ' conversation, not as clumsy as an info-dump but still very obviously conveying details of the alien race.

Later, when Lilith has to Awaken other humans from their hibernation, she reviews their history. Each description, or dossier, is like a character sketch, the kind of information a writer might jot down, little details of the character as a guide to how they will act and react in the story. There again, setting up the reader for those actions and reactions, making them seem realistic if not inevitable.

I enjoyed reading this and will continue with the series. We'll see if my impressions here are replicated in other books by her, or even by other authors.