Abstract
Zombie Seed and the Butterfly Blues has an enticing title with an even better story that I found difficult to put down. A piece of realistic fiction and part of a social fictions series, the book includes an academic introduction and applicable facts at the end of the book, between which is sandwiched a fascinating read that includes intrigue and some romance, with much academic value interspersed. Although a typical purveyor of nonfiction, I found this book engaging, with the characters and situations based on actual circumstances.
The analogy of the zombie is purposeful in referring not only to genetically modified (GM) seed but to the zombie-like state in which we find much of society: lacking critical thinking about the social issues that surround us. The RichField Corporation, in description and action, is based on Monsanto. The terminator seed, V-GURTs (Variety-level Genetic Use Restriction Technologies), and zombie seed, T-GURTs (Trait-level Genetic Use Restriction Technologies), are unfortunately all too real.
The book is quite well written and is largely sequential, with an occasional interlude and periodic flashback. There are several stories woven together based on the main character, a professor from Purdue, Dr. Delta Quinn. While the central theme seems to be the ethnographies of Dr. Quinn, these span a variety of arenas, including environment, religion, domestic violence, environment, and community. That Dr. Quinn is the central figure in all of these realms speaks to the complex nature of human lives, generally, and to the professional lives of professors, specifically. There is frequent reference to the professional role of professors, including ethics, professional standards, tenure, mentoring, institutional review board (IRB) expectations, and the reality of “publish or perish,” all of which would likely be of interest to graduate students preparing to enter the academe.
The book is pitched to college students generally but would be best suited to upper-level undergraduate or graduate-level students. In addition to learning about life in the academe, students can gain a deeper understanding of the research process and be provided an opportunity to think more critically about the social justice aspects of GM seeds, the relationship between personal and social violence, and how stories are told and accepted as truth, focusing upon probable narratives.
Given the interwoven stories, this book would have a broad appeal and could be used in a wide variety of courses as supplemental material. Courses in qualitative methods would benefit from the description of method as well as reference to techniques, relationship building, and IRB protocols. Given the focus upon GM seeds and the potential implications of their use, this book would also be of great value in environmental and medical sociology. Given the legal issues between seed manufacturers, governments, and small farmers, the main story would also be of value to economic and political sociology as well as the sociology of law. The domestic violence issues broached in the story are of a secondary nature, but given the complex nature in which they arise and intersect with other issues, this may also be of interest to the study of gender. Another secondary feature that questions the origins of Christianity, while tying in purposefully yet indirectly to the notion of the zombie seed, “The Secret Story of the Not-so-virgin Virgin: The Probable and the Magical,” would likely be of value to those enrolled in the sociology of religion.
While intersectionality is not an apparent focus of the story with regard to being an academic work, it is certainly a key component that should not be overlooked by sociologists or be ignored by students of sociology, regardless of specialization. While all too often references made available to students focus solely on a single specialization, Zombie Seed and the Butterfly Blues does this seamlessly and magnificently.
Perhaps what is most poetic about the intersectionality here is that it is not a staid demonstration of two structures that intersect, such as race and class. Rather, the juncture is multifaceted, if not directly apparent, much like social life itself. This provides a wonderful opportunity to enhance critical thinking, by directing students to map these relationships stepwise. In this case, concept mapping would be an excellent venture for students to be able to illustrate their critical thinking about concepts, structures, and relationships (Roberts and Roberts 2008; Whitley 2013).
Zombie Seed and the Butterfly Blues is at least as interesting as it sounds from the sexy title. Students will certainly be enticed to the table by the title, and stay to savor the meal within.