Oryx and Crake, by Margaret Atwood- 5 Stars (Listopia)

[Joi]

Margaret Atwood does it again. This is my second of hers, and she is quickly becoming a favorite author. This time tacking the subjects of bio-genetics, bio-engineering, and the ethics of both. I don't think I liked this as much as The Handmaid's Tale, but I liked it for different reasons. This is marked as "speculative fiction" instead of "sci-fi". Freaky to think that one day the world could become a place even remotely similar to the one inside this book.

This is set in the future where Snowman is the last living person on Earth. This book flip flops between this setting, and the past- of Snowman's "life before". He is childhood friends with Crake- who ends up being a large part of how the plot progresses, and his "love"- Oryx. I felt Oryx's story especially stood out to me. Tragic but not "sad", and her attitude was a little confusing but definitely refreshing.

I did think Jimmy/Snowman was a bit of a sad sack. But I didn't mind this. He was a character that was revealed in layers, and the showing of his relationships, background, and history really reflected and made sense to the character he was becoming and is at the "current" time. The structure of the book just makes sense. There is a lot to learn about this world, but it never feels unfamiliar. By the end you're talking about Crakers, Rakunks, AnooYoo like you always knew what they were. The book is dark, and unforgiving. But I think that is one thing that made it really stand out and successful.

[Nicole R]

This is my favorite Atwood book and I recommend the next two books in the MaddAddaM trilogy as well!

[Susie]

I really feel like I should go back and try it again! I got part way through and didn’t care for it so I moved on.

[Joi]

I will definitely be continuing the series! I saw there isn't really any character crossover from the first to the second, which is a little disappointing.

Susie, I do think it takes a bit to "get into" because there's a pretty large learning curve with the world itself. Might be worth another try. I did the audio and kept me engaged the whole time.

[Idit]

I don’t remember anything about this book but I did like it a lot at the time.

My favourites if Atwood were Robber Bride and Penelopeads (about Ulysses’s wife Penelope)

[Jgrace]

Joi wrote: "I will definitely be continuing the series! I saw there isn't really any character crossover from the first to the second, which is a little disappointing.

Susie, I do think it takes a bit to "ge..."

There will be character crossover when you get to the third book. The Year of the Flood seems to go in a different direction, but it makes sense in the end. I liked the second book best. Atwood has a wicked sense of humor.

[JoLene]

I really need to get to this. I read several Atwood books in the 90’s and then read The Handmaid's Tale about 3 years ago. I like that she dabbles in mant genres.

[Christine]

I love Atwood too. The Year of the Flood was my favorite book in this series.

[Joi]

Oh good to know Jgrace! I'm sure I'll make it through the series eventually.

The Heart Goes Last has also bee on my radar for Atwood books.