"Octavia Butler, of course, is brilliant and disturbing"

Sarah Zettel explains Octavia Butler as "fantastic and disturbing," suggesting that Butler's work is both extremely impressive and potentially upsetting. Zettel likely means that Butler's writing is so skillful that it is genuinely breathtaking, but likewise that the styles and subject of her writing can be quite extreme, difficult, or perhaps frightening. This description recommends that Butler's work is unflinchingly honest and not scared to face complex, uncomfortable topics. It likewise implies that Butler is a master at communicating tough ideas to her readers, paving the way for increased understanding and empathy.