Octavia Butler’s final novel, Fledgling, is a powerful, disturbing book about humanity and Otherness that is also a vampire coming-of-age story. Set in the near-future Pacific Northwest, it pits a dark-skinned, amnesiac predator against ignorance and gangster-like families formed by the predator’s own kind–except that they’re white. Delve guide Nisi Shawl, a friend of Butler’s during her lifetime, adds unique perspective drawing on their personal experience of the author’s joys, struggles, triumphs, and frustrations. Over the course of four weeks this class will read the book closely as we discuss the myriad ramifications of a novel Butler regarded as “lightweight,” but which fans and scholars see as proof of her work’s continuing importance. Text: Fledgling Access Program We want our writing classes and seminars to be accessible to everyone, regardless of income and background. We understand that our tuition structure can present obstacles for some people. Our Access Program offers writing class and seminar tuitions at a reduced rate. Most writing classes have at least one access spot available. Please apply here for access rate tuition. Contact Susan Moore at susan@literary-arts.org if you have questions.
A nonprofit literary center in Portland, OR dedicated to engaging readers, supporting writers, & inspiring the next generation with great literature.
