Parable of the Sower

My edition of this novel had an introduction by NK Jemisin; this pre-disposed me to like it since Jemson's introduction is half critique. She found the novel difficult to get into and hard to believe. She's right on one count; Lauren doesn't read like a teenager, however smart for her age– she reads as an adult's idea of how a smart teenager ought to act. However, I think that's kind of the point. This is a parable, after all, and the religion Lauren creates will, if successful, have Lauren as its central prophet. Prophets don't get to be kids. Was Jesus Christ a believable child? He seemed a bit preachy.

I think this novel is an excellent litmus test as to whether or not someone can appreciate SF that is at once both hard and light. Yes, all the guns and ammunition works as it should, but the ‘sharing' makes little ontological sense. All the decisions Lauren make are correct and logical– and that's kind of ridiculous for an eighteen year old. The book functions as a religious parable; don't worry so much about the details, only focus on the meaning at its heart.