Book Review: Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

Quick Review:

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
Published 2003
Genre: Science Fiction\Post Apocalyptic Fiction
Bob's Thoughts: A unique and off beat tale of the last human left on earth, and how he got there.
Available at Your Local Booksellers
Bob's Grade: A-



Full Review:

Sometimes a books surprises you.

I don’t mean this in a twist, surprise ending Roger Ackroydian way or even in a judgemental, be it positive or negative, sort of way. Sometimes you just come to expect certain things from a book, or books in general, and every once and a while you are thrown for a loop. Sometimes genres are bended, and characters act or just are not what you expect or even imagine. Sometimes, a book is just different and smacks your preconceived notions in the face.

Oryx and Crake is one of these books. First off, when picked up this book, I really didn’t expect to like it, for a lot of reasons. The reason I bough it is that it was on a Post Apocalyptic book list I have been working my way through, slowly but surely, with plenty breaks in between. Yet, I was trepidations. I have read her book, A Handmaid’s Tale, and didn’t really enjoy it. She is a very literary writer, which often means witty, verbose, well written and boring. I am not scared to admit that I tend to avoid that which is labeled literature, unless coerced, instead finding myself immersed in the pulp and popular fiction of the day. I also, with a few exceptions, tend to avoid books by women authors. When I read a women’s name on the title, I expect a book oriented towards women. Yes, this is probably not something I should admit, but even within the genre’s I enjoy, women authors tend to lose my interest.

Now, admitting I am a misogynistic literary snob, let’s move on to the book. Oryx and Crake is a tale of the last man on earth, Snowman. Snowman hasn’t always been called Snowman, before he was Jimmy, but in a new world, I guess people need a new name. Snowman basically sits around in his tree all day, drinking his last drops of pilfered liquor, attempting to keep the sheet he wears as his only clothes clean, and watching over a group of genetically altered childlike survivors, who are more or perhaps less than human, depending on you perspective. While in his tree, and later on his trip to an old compound for supplies, Snowman relives and reminisces on his life when he was Jimmy.

The world of his youth was a glimpse on the possible road we may be heading down. Raised in a protected community among scientists, like his father, Jimmy’s world is full of genetically engineered animals recombinants , like Pigoons and Wolvogs, animals combined to add to the betterment of human existence. Jimmy is immune to the real world, refered to as pleeblands. In that world, society has broken down and poverty and dystopia reigns. We follow Jimmy’s life, as he grows older, and becomes friends with the man that is to become known as Crake, a genius who may or may not be mad.

There are so many reasons Oryx and Crake just shouldn’t work. The story seems almost uneven, jumping around through the time line of events, almost willy nilly. Beyond the character of Jimmy/Snowman, the other players are underdeveloped and underused, and often quite unbelievable. The story at points goes off on seemingly unnecessary paths, that slow the story down and the ending is, at best, ambiguous. Yet, all these issues some together in just the right way to make the story work. At times, the story becomes confusing, and you’re not quite sure why the author is giving you a glimpse of this or that, but by the end, the come together like a impressionist painting, and you wouldn’t want to lose a single bit.

As a post apocalyptic tale, this book fits neatly into the genre more so along the lines of classic tales like A Brave New World and 1984, yet other sections recalls parts of Earth Abides, and Vonnegut’s, Galapagos. A time it is an absurdist comedy, at other times, a dark harbinger of science and it’s ultimate potential if it loses control, and a reminder that it most probably will. Atwood handles the issues well, yet with enough intriguing diversions, and cartoonish handlings to not leave you overly paranoid of using the latest wonder drug.