[WPF] MaddAddam by Margaret Atwood - 4 stars

[Jen K]

I read the first two books of the series in the fall of 2010. I must have quite enjoyed to have read the second one so soon after the first. I was a bit hesitant to pick this, the third of of the trilogy, after 12 years. The summaries of the first two book at the start was very helpful. I'm sure that I still missed a number of references and links to experiences in the first books but I still absolutely enjoyed this one on its own.

The remaining Gardeners and MaddAddamites are joined by Jimmy the Snowman and the Crakers for a kind of last stand against the painballers to secure the community and look towards the future now that they were a small community outlasting the plague and the chaos brought on by Crake. We get to learn more of the story of Zeb and Adam and how Adam came to start the Gardeners and the links with the MaddAddamites and Crake. It is the story before the story and often told as the daily ritual story told by Toby to the Crakers. I LOVE the inclusion of the Crakers with the singing and the purring and calling to Oh F***. I really enjoy Atwood's sense of humor which is infused throughout a somewhat dark dystopia future where people have destroyed the environment and themselves. The pigoons are great and Blackbeard really is the best. I did not love the whimper with which it ended but I was also sad that it ended.

[NancyJ]

Excellent review. I so agree. I read the three books quite close together which helped. I don't recall if book 3 reminded us that (in book 1) Crake insisted that the new people not be taught any religion. I found it really funny to see how all of the stories were creating a religion, with Crake as their creator.

[Jen K]

NancyJ wrote: "Excellent review. I so agree. I read the three books quite close together which helped. I don't recall if book 3 reminded us that (in book 1) Crake insisted that the new people not be taught any re..."

No, I don't remember that mention but it is really interesting how the belief system was so important and understanding where we all came from. There is Toby/ the Gardeners religion as well and all counterpoint to the Rev's religion. Such a fun book!

[Sue]

Loved this whole trilogy! The middle book was my favorite, but I liked how all the stories came together with this final book.

The Pigoon funeral was one of the elements from this story I found the most memorable and heart-breaking.

[NancyJ]

Sue - The middle book was my favorite too. Oh, the pigoon funeral. Now I remember the parts about the pigoons and the boy they called Blackbeard. So good!

Jen - I have a feeling that the whimper of an ending was a plus to the people who are developing the TV series. If it does well, they could extend the story for a long time. But I wonder if the project was put on hold. It might fuel conspiracy theories about the creation and spread of Covid 19.

Do you have other favorite Atwood novels?

[Jen K]

The pigoons were fabulous and especially Blackbeard!!

@NancyJ, great question. I discovered Atwood through The Handmaid's Tale found on the bookshelf when I was babysitting in high school (the kids were asleep) and promptly read all that I could find of hers over that next 5+ years which was about 20 year ago.... I know I enjoyed them all to keep reading more but hard to remember now. I know that I really liked this series but then moved overseas before the third one came out and that probably ended my Atwood streak for a long time. Maybe Alias Grace and The Blind Assassin? It's been so long, I should probably consider some rereading.

[Jgrace]

I can't remember the pigoon funeral. I may have to read this series again. I do remember that the middle book was my favorite.