Climate Action Book Club: Parable of the Sower
"In the ongoing contest over which dystopian classic is most applicable to our time, Octavia Butler's 'Parable' books may be unmatched."- The New Yorker
For our next book club, we're reading the sci-fi classic, Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler. Set in a near-future dystopian America ravaged by climate change and economic crisis, this is a story about survival, resistance, and finding hope when everything feels uncertain.
💭We’ll have discussion prompts to help kick off the conversation
🥗 Bring a picnic blanket if you have one and a snack to share
🐶 Friends (furry, children, adult humans) are welcome!
📚Join our community slack channel to learn about our other upcoming book clubs and community events - climateactionclub.io
💬Discussion questions (updated 7/5)
How is Lauren Olamina’s hyperempathy syndrome significant to the story? What do you think it signifies that this is a congenital disease she contracted because her mother was a drug abuser?
Why does Jo react so negatively to Lauren’s concerns about being better prepared as a community and as individuals to face crises? Lauren’s dad says, “It’s better to teach people than to scare them.” How do you see this reflected in today’s America?
An important theme in this novel is when and how to trust people. Lauren worries that Curtis might not understand or accept her hyperempathy or her Earthseed ideas. Harry Balter worries that he can't trust her after he learns about her hyperempathy. How do you learn to trust? How much do you have to know about a person in order to trust that person? What sort of lessons about trust do you think this novel holds for us? Do you think that it is easier or harder to trust people in our current society?
How does her brother Keith's story juxtapose with Lauren's?
What other takeaways do you have from this novel?
🌎About Climate Action Club
Climate Action Club is a Bay Area community for people who care about the climate crisis and want to take meaningful, collective action. We turn climate anxiety into connection, clarity, and civic power - no prior experience required!
For partnership inquiries, please reach out to climateactionclub.sf@gmail.com
✨ Community Principles
Growth Mindset: We’re all here to learn, grow, and figure it out together.
Relationships Over Transactions: We prioritize real human connection over professional networking.
Inclusivity & Diversity: A mix of voices, experiences, and perspectives makes our community stronger.
Mutual Respect: Everyone deserves to be heard. We show up with curiosity and care.
📚 Guidelines for a Great Time
Be Kind: Listen fully. Avoid interrupting or dominating the convo.
Be Friendly: Say hi to someone new—especially if they came solo.
Be Mindful: Share space and time so everyone can contribute.
Be Yourself: This is a space to be real, not perform. Let’s have fun and grow together.
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