A woman from 1976 travels back in time to 1815 Antebellum South whenever a boy named Rufus is in life threatening danger. She learns he's her distant ancestor and must grapple with protecting him to ensure she will someday be born and her modern sensibilities around justice, race, and honor.

This book is a masterpiece. Horrific, hard to read (for the subject matter not the writing), and thought provoking, I'm only sad it took me so long to read it. Butler forces the reader to confront their own prejudices, their own biases, and takes you on a hard ride to the finish. Utterly compelling, especially in the small touches you might not notice, how Dana is not described explicitly as a Black woman, but if you read the context clues it is all right there.

Looking forward to discussing with my Book to Art Club group on 10.2019.