Episode 4: THE PASSAGE OF OCTAVIA BUTLER

In this visionary and introspective episode of The Passage, the Ferryman, voiced by Dan Fogler (Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, The Walking Dead), welcomes a soul whose pen crafted worlds and whose imagination reshaped the boundaries of science fiction. Octavia Butler voiced by Juliette Jeffers, a luminary of speculative storytelling and the first science-fiction writer to receive a MacArthur Fellowship, embarks on her final journey, her passage as unique and profound as her literary legacy. As they traverse the ethereal realms of the afterlife, Octavia reflects on her life's journey—from her humble beginnings in Pasadena, California, where she was raised by her widowed mother, to her rise as a beacon of innovation and diversity in the world of science fiction. Despite her shyness and the racial and societal barriers that stood against her, Butler found solace and strength in the pages of fantasy novels and the infinite possibilities of her own writing. In this episode, the Ferryman guides Octavia through a passage that mirrors her own narrative style, a landscape where the surreal meets the profound. They encounter the incarnations of her dark and strange creations, each an echo of Butler's fearless exploration of the human condition, of identity, and of the tangled threads of choice and destiny. As she navigates this dreamscape of her own making, Butler's journey is not just a passage but a celebration of her resilience, her unparalleled vision, and her indelible impact on the genre of science fiction. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the transcendent nature of storytelling. In this episode of The Passage, listeners are invited to voyage into the rich tapestry of Octavia Butler's mind, where each twist and turn reveals the depth and complexity of her imagination. Written by Nicki Salcedo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.