Imago By Octavia E. Butler

Imago is the final novel in Octavia E. Butler’s groundbreaking Lilith’s Brood trilogy (originally published as the Xenogenesis series), a bold, thought-provoking exploration of identity, transformation, and the future of humanity. In this installment, the story is told through the eyes of Jodahs, a being born from both human and alien (Oankali) DNA who comes of age as a construct—something entirely new.

As Jodahs grows, it discovers its own identity as an ooloi—a third gender alien capable of healing and reshaping genetic material. The novel explores Jodahs’ struggle to find its place in a world that fears and resists change. With elegance and empathy, Butler examines what it means to evolve, to love, and to build a future amid fear and prejudice.

Why Read This Book?

• Conclusion of a Landmark Trilogy: A powerful finale to Butler’s Lilith’s Brood, wrapping up themes of coexistence, evolution, and hybrid identity.

• Deep Ethical Questions: Explores autonomy, consent, and genetic engineering in a post-apocalyptic setting.

• Feminist and Afrofuturist Insight: Delivers a radical reimagining of gender, race, and reproduction through science fiction.

• Profoundly Emotional Storytelling: Jodahs’ journey of self-discovery is as moving as it is intellectually rich.

• Essential Octavia Butler Work: A must-read for fans of her vision and for those interested in speculative fiction that challenges norms.

About the Author

Octavia E. Butler (1947–2006) was a pioneering African American science fiction writer, known for blending social commentary with imaginative futurism. She was the first science fiction writer to receive a MacArthur “Genius” Grant and was the author of numerous influential works including Kindred, Parable of the Sower, and the Patternist series. Butler’s work redefined what science fiction could do, centering marginalized voices and exploring race, gender, and power with unmatched depth and empathy. Her legacy continues to influence writers and thinkers across disciplines.