FABClub (Female Authors Book Club) discussion
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Oryx and Crake
Margaret Atwood
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Oddly enough, my "in real life" book club did this trilogy over the summer. I love this series soooo much.
Hello! This is my first FABClub discussion. I'm about halfway through Oryx and Crake, it's *incredible*. I can't wait to finish it. I started tabbing details with post it notes because every little drop of info was so fascinating. I don't usually do that! But books aren't usually written this way, either.
Happy reading!
Mod
I'm thrilled to hear that you're enjoying it so much though - it is such a treat to stumble upon a masterpiece!
Finished the book yesterday. I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. A couple of questions: It was never really explained how the cities ended up under water. The final disaster didn't seem to create that much disorder.
Do you think Oryx-of-Paradise was the real Oryx? Is it possible Crake created a version of her? And what was his interest in her? Jimmy says that he avoided telling Crake about his love interests. Is this why?
Lots of deeper thoughts, too. The MadAddam group that thought they were running to freedom. The quest for perfect people, devoid of real feelings and relationships. We are meant to feel, to fight, to war, aren't we?
Most importantly, did Crake have the right to enforce his views of a perfect society? Do any of us have that right?
Very interesting point about forcing others to experience/endure what you personally feel is a perfect society. Maybe this is drastic, but I already feel like most of the world is forced to endure a way of life that has been chosen for us by a select number of people (government, corporations, patriarchy, etc) is what Crake did really any different than what the 1% decide for us now? Also a reminder that there is more in the series! One of my IRL book club friends finished it and went on a rant about the ambiguous ending and how nothing had been wrapped up and I was like "*cough* There are two more books..." hahaha
I haven't read the other books in the series, but I found the ending appropriate. I read it over a couple times and liked it--though I think it could perhaps have been prepared for a little better. Or maybe not, maybe if I read the novel a second time I'd find plenty of clues pointing toward that Big Question: NOT REALLY A SPOILER BUT IF YOUR A PURIST, SPOILER
Trust others or not? Take the risks necessary to build community (and conceivably a new world) or stay in protected but dead-end isolation? Although the final line does leave unanswered which decision Jimmy/Snowman will make, I had a feeling (which may have been wishful thinking) that he was going to take the risk. Of course the other books may prove me wrong!
Yes, I think you're right. Jimmy/Snowman struggles throughout the book with that question. The Crakes are too trusting, and he finds that distasteful. (view spoiler)He didn't understand Oryx's blank attitude toward trust. She should be wary of trust! He trusted Crake with some things, but not all. He was fascinated with the way the different communities trusted their lifestyles- something that I see also as a huge danger in our own society.
(view spoiler)
I went to check this out of my local library and noticed that they have 4 copies (all checked out) and 17 copies on order. Seems like there's suddenly been a huge resurgence of interest in this!