I say blatant because it is repeated in so many words about every ten pages. The blatant message here is that humanity is intrinsically self-destructive.
The story then follows the history of Lilith and two of her children as they adapt to the new world and their new definition of “humanity.” The Oankali also alter human breeding so that, like themselves, humans can only conceive through the intervention of an ooloi. Unlike most of the others, Lilith is also tapped to become a trainer for the other humans, teaching them first how to negotiate those portions of the Oankali ship - also a living creature - that are their quarters, and then how to live on the rescued earth. Lilith Iyapo is, like the other survivors, altered - incipient cancer is cured, the aging process is slowed dramatically, her physical strength and reactions are brought up to optimum: all genetic “defects” that are corrected by the Oankali. They also have three sexes, and conception is impossible without the participation of the ooloi, the third sex, who are also the healers and most important teachers. They remember everything they have sensed, and everything they have “learned” from others. This “trading” also forms a major component of their perception of the universe around them and their learning. The Oankali call themselves “traders,” but their meaning is nowhere near what a human would mean: the Oankali are biologically driven to trade their genetic material with other species, and work with DNA and living matter as we deal with metal and wood. The overarching story is fairly simple: humanity has finally come within an inch or so of destroying itself, and is only saved by the advent of a species of star-faring aliens, the Oankali, who are able to rescue the few pitiful survivors, heal them, and train them to survive on the remains of their home planet - for a time. There are, however, many reasons to look at these books closely, because they raise so many issues and operate on so many levels. Lilith’s Brood, also known as Xenogenesis, has been called Butler at her best and for that reason alone would deserve a close look. In neither area was she unique, but the combination was. Butler, at the time of her emergence as a major voice in science fiction, was a rarity because she was a woman and she was African-American.
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