What a wonderful person. While her tales verged on depressing and pessimistic, they never tipped over into nihilism or hatred of whole types of people. Her political leanings never tipped too far, sacrificing story and character for the sake of polemic. Rather, while chiding humanity for relentless bad habits and foolishness, her stories and novels also beckoned - always - with a glimmering allure of hope.
Certainly Octavia was always personally upbeat and pleasant and ready to talk about her greatest love, ideas. She was a fabulous writer and one of the truest science fiction authors... the compliment that I believe she liked hearing best.
I cannot post any more right now. Other stuff must wait anon.She'll live on as a great part of our collective conscience. Keep stirring us, Octavia.
