Octavia Butler's 'Survivor' Returns After Four Decades
Octavia Butler's 1978 novel 'Survivor' is back in print after four decades, despite the author's previous ban on reprints. Butler was unhappy with the book and forbade any republication. However, her estate, publisher, and agent jointly decided that depriving readers of any of Butler's works would be unjust. The decision overturns Butler's explicit wishes, highlighting a tension between authorial intent and public access to literature.
Key facts
- Octavia Butler's novel 'Survivor' was published in 1978.
- Butler was unhappy with the novel and forbade any reprint.
- The book has been out of print for four decades.
- Butler's estate, publisher, and agent agreed to reprint it.
- They stated that depriving readers of any Butler work would be unjust and unfair.
- The reprint is now available.
- The decision overrides Butler's explicit wishes.
- The Los Angeles Times reported the story via Yahoo.
Entities
Artists
- Octavia Butler
Institutions
- Los Angeles Times
- Yahoo