Oryx and Crake
Margaret Atwood
This is set in the late 21st century. The main character
(Snowman/Jimmy) may be the last human on earth. He had lived in a
safe company compound. Outside was dangerous country, the
plebeland. The company was researching genetic engineering, along
with many others. Gradually we learn what happened, but it is a
strange ending - left up in the air.
Janet 3/8/03
Brilliant. Caroline borrowed this from the library and then
bought her own copy because she liked it so much. Like the
earlier Handmaid's Tale, this is a story about genetics. Caroline
didn't want to say too much for fear of giving away the plot to
others BUT there has clearly been some apocalyptic event and the
story revolves round a male character, Oryx and a female
character, Crake. After finishing the book Caroline heard that
the geneticist, Stephen Jones, had approved of the book and its
futuristic genetic content.
Caroline 21/12/03
This author is back on form with this book after the
disappointing Blind Assassin. It is set in the near future, when
the world has gone wrong, although the narrator has escaped the
catastrophe. It is very well written in a series of flashbacks -
highly recommended.
Andrew 7/2/04
Gill found this not exactly a pleasant book and one to be read in
short bursts because of its disturbing nature. Reminiscent of
1984 by George Orwell, with the same future scenario and picture
of a divided society. She found it hard work to read with lots of
condensed information in almost every paragraph.
Gill 7/3/04
Very good. Some wonderful creations like the pigoons ( which I at
first read as pigeons)and the names of the various synthetic
foodstuff. A return to form.
Doreen 18/4/04
Jane had a bone to pick with all the people who'd recommended
this book - she'd hated it, not liking Atwood's more
science-fiction based writing.
Jane 23/5/04
Most people in the group have read this book but as Jean has not
yet had the opportunity, this review is necessarily vague. Bob
thought it a good read: a dystopian novel where the narrator
looks back on his childhood - a golden age....
Bob 15/8/04
Disappointing - perhaps because expectations had been raised by
others' reviews. Enjoyed, but not as much as had hoped.
Jean 21/11/04
By the same author
The frames have
gone all funny - click to make it good.