

The Kirkus Review notes it as a “relationship of mutual dependence, even love.” and the Nashville Public Library notes it as a symbiotic relationship. Publisher’s Weekly notes in their review that the narrative “… is a compelling and horrifying novella combining a love story between a human and an alien with a coming-of-age tale it is, as Butler puts it, a ‘pregnant man story’.” Publisher’s Weekly is not the only one to think it is a story on love. Butler’s narrative has been read as a love story to some, as said by Publisher’s Weekly review of the short story. The story itself focuses on a boy named Gan, a Terran who lives on the Preserve, and the Tlic creature, T’Gatoi, who assumes domination over Gan. In a world ran by alien-like creatures (Tlic) where humans (Terran) live at their mercy, what acts are deemed to extreme for survival? What is it like to live at the hands of the Tlic? What role do gender norms play in a society where male Terran are expected to bear the children of female Tlic? “Bloodchild” by Octavia Butler, which has won Hugo and Nebula awards, is a story that tells the life of humans know collectively as Terrans living on a Preserve where alien-like creatures named Tlic hold control. This guide also highlights in the Primary Source Archive what was going on during the late 60s, early 70s that could possibly have influenced Butler´s writing in her narrative. I hope this reader’s guide serves as a means to permit you to think a little more critically on some of the heavily talked about topics critics have written about.

Besides this section, that are three other sections looking more in-depth at the text. Throughout this reader’s guide, you will find four different sections.

While Butler claims this text has nothing to do with race/slavery (Butler 30), it does not come off that way when read. This reader’s guide to “Bloodchild” serves as a platform to discuss the use of race and gender within the narrative. Octavia Butler’s narrative, “Bloodchild,” is the beginning story in a series of short stories Butler had published.
