"Wild Seed" is an intriguing speculative fiction story about people with unusual abilities such as seeing into others' minds, working physical changes on their own or others' cells, or having the power to jump into someone else's body. The premise is that these people have lived among the rest of us for a long time. The story revolves around two particularly powerful people-- Doro, who takes life and shapes those around him to his own ends, and Anyanwu, who creates life, heals, and seeks to help and protect others.
You can imagine that these two might clash, but might also find that they can make a powerful union with their complementary abilities. The book is about their dance over a couple of centuries of human time, which isn't much for them. Doro is a breeder of special humans, while Anyanwu is "wild seed," a specimen he didn't explicitly create. And she rivals his power like no other.
Butler has cooked up a well-integrated tale that delves into the characters' psyches but also keeps up a lively plot. She explores themes of control and destiny, slavery and helpful protection. Sometimes the lines blur even as they are being mapped out.
I'll give the book a "weak +." I wouldn't say it grabbed me right out of my chair, but it was an original concept and got me thinking in a couple places. I was less than thrilled with the contrived gender battle: Doro the unfeeling killer, Anywanwu the nurturing mother. But pay attention to the subtleties; Butler has a few surprises hidden under the surface.
Copyright © Kim Allen 2002
