Mind of My Mind
Butler, Octavia. Mind of My Mind. Avon Books, 1978 (1st Avon Printing). Softbound. The second novel in the Patternist series, this heartrending origin story examines the metaphysical implications of eugenics as protagonist Mary, a gifted telepath, paves the road to hell, according to the back cover copy, by 'weaving her web of compassion, ambition, and global psychic power.' Incredible cover to this Avon edition, with phosphorescent, descending symmetry, clever use of the roller rink–ready typeface, Pluto Half-Solid (also seen on the 1972 Panther edition of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), and a memorable illustration by Clyde Caldwell. Better known for his curvy valkyries and sinuous dragons (artist Larry Elmore called them 'more serpentine—slimmer and more snakeish' than those of other artists), Caldwell helped shape the genre's aesthetic during fantasy's golden age and was later embroiled in controversy when the Children of God cult allegedly plagiarized his work for inclusion in its proselytization tracts.
