“Oryx and Crake” by Margaret Atwood (Canada)

Review

Although readers found the story bleak and a bit too close to current reality, they really enjoyed it thanks to the wonderful language and superb writing. They found the story fluid and well paced, with a good plot that kept their interest going. Everyone sympathised with Jimmy who they described as a likeable albeit flawed character. On the other hand, they felt that both the characters of Crake and Oryx were too thinly portrayed to get a good feel for them. They liked the highly imaginative and exaggerated view of a modern society, with its inordinate use of technology, gene splicing, cloning, viruses, and dysfunctional relationships with parents, friends and lovers. Some readers had difficulty with the time sequences that relied heavily on flashbacks. There were mixed reactions to the ending of the story, which left readers wondering as to the outcome. Overall, the book averaged a 7.8 out of 10.

Synopsis

Snowman, known as Jimmy before humankind was overwhelmed by a plague, is struggling to survive in a world where he may be the last human, and mourning the loss of his best friend, Crake, and the beautiful and elusive Oryx whom they both loved… Read more

Nicola’s Book Club reading list 

Season 14 – “Satire” (Sep 2011 – Jan 2012)

“A Case of Exploding Mangoes” by Mohammed Hanif (Pakistan)
“Death as a Side Effect” by Ana Maria Shua (Argentina)
“The Brothers’ Lot” by Kevin Holohan (Ireland) *
“Oryx and Crake” by Margaret Atwood (Canada)
“In the United States of Africa” by Abdourahman A. Waberi (Djibouti)

* The book club favourite