I have already read the Parables novels by Butler and this one is too similar in its protestant roots.

The only thing that breaks the status quo in this book is that the main character is a black woman.

Some ideas like the issue with hierarchies are interesting but they are not developed. Instead a Christian reference frame with heteronormativity, shame and power is used, to the point that when homosexuality is mentioned the word used is faggot. The humanity depicted is shamefully traditional even for the late eighties, when this book was written.

If I had not read the Parables I would read the other books to see if this improves. Instead this will be the last book I read by this author.