You're listening to Imaginary Worlds, a show about how we create them and why we suspend

our disbelief, American Malinsky.

So when I started this podcast a few years ago, I knew I had a lot of catching up to

do when it came to science fiction literature.

And so I've been trying to read as many of the great books that I've missed out on.

And a lot of them have been great.

But I hate to admit this, but I often have trouble suspending my disbelief and losing

myself in some of these stories.

And I don't know if it's because I need the visual component of TV or film or comic

books.

Although one issue I have is that a lot of these stories take place so far in the future

in a distant galaxy.

The author of the story needs to lay down so much backstory to explain how the human race

ever got there.

I'm lost by the second chapter.

And then I read Octavia Butler.

She does not write stories like that.

And her writing is so powerful, so disturbing.

I couldn't sleep at night.

I actually had to keep reminding myself these are just stories.

They're not real.

And I never have to do that.

...