Xenogenesis (Magill’s Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature)
At a glance:
- Author: Octavia Butler
- First Published: 1987
- Type of Work: Novels
- Type of Plot: Science fiction—alien civilization
- Time of Work: The twenty-fourth century, with flashbacks
- Setting: Various locations on Earth and aboard spaceships
- Genres: Long fiction, Science fiction
- Subjects: Maturation or coming of age, Culture, Children, Exile or expatriates, Extraterrestrial life, Future, Other worlds, Space flight or travel, Space ships, stations, or vehicles, Acculturation, Human behavior, Bioengineering or biotechnology, Earth, Genetics
- Locales: Space, Chkahichdahk (fictive), Earth
The Plot
By definition, xenogenesis is the derivation of one species from members of another species. Such is the mission of the Oankali, an extraterrestrial race of genetic engineers whose activities link the three novels composing this trilogy. In the course of ensuring their own survival by interbreeding with other species and thereby bringing varieties of life to thousands of worlds, the Oankali found and captured a few human survivors of Earth’s devastating wars. As gene traders characterized by their extraordinary sensitivities, their abhorrence of violence, and their...
[The entire page is 1328 words long]
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