I feel like I got hit by a car, got rolled over by a truck and then got dumped from an airplane.

And, then I feel sad that it’s over.

That is what Margaret Atwood does.

Every line you read feels like a whiplash and still you want to continue reading. You want to finish the book in one day, but the themes make you stop and think about it. She conveys such hard hitting messages through such simple words that it never fails to astonish you. She will have you mentally flinching all through the book, but that won’t stop the sadness from flooding in when the last page is turned.

Then there is the world she creates!


Remember the time when I said I don’t scare easy? Well, scratch that. Her writing, her predictions of the future fills me with such a dread every time I read it. It’s cold, ruthless and so believable. Be it the human element or the environmental/ecological part or even the religious elements, she has everything covered. I had to constantly keep reminding myself that it is not real.

Considering how I freaked I am, I don’t think I did a good job.

Basic storyline :
The story starts where Oryx and Crake left off.

It’s the story of two completely different women, Toby and Ren. They have survived the epidemic (the water less flood) Crake created in the previous book. Like I said, they are as different as they can be. Ren’s story is narrated in first person and Toby’s in third. There is continuous juggling of their lives and experience as they explain how they survived. And defying all logic, everything seems effortless. The way their lives merge, and the way characters from Oryx and Crake come in the picture. It is so natural!

The familiarity of the world, with the gene splicing and paintball doesn’t make it any less scary. Jimmy is shown in a new light and it isn’t very flattering. Neither is the portrayal of human race.

There is one irritating factor about the book though. That would be Adam one. The preaching thing and the ‘dear mammals’ part was pretty annoying. Also the plot got somewhat chaotic towards the end.
The climax was, well, it was very Atwoodish..

Still, nothings making me give this book anything but 5 stars.

PS: please read Oryx and Crake first because 1) Its an amazing book. 2) You would be missing a lot if you don’t.