Shelfari: The Site for Books & ReadersShelfari Logo

Oryx and Crake
 

Oryx and Crake

by Margaret Atwood

In Oryx and Crake, a science fiction novel that is more Swift than Heinlein, more cautionary tale than "fictional science" (no flying cars here), Margaret Atwood depicts a near-future world that turns from the merely horrible to the horrific, from a fool's paradise to a bio-wasteland. Snowman (a man once known as Jimmy) sleeps in a tree and just might be the only human left on our devastated... (read more)

Top tags: science fiction,  fiction,  dystopia,  post apocalyptic,  margaret atwood (all tags)

Readers

Groups

  • Margaret Atwood fans Discussion Group
  • Science Fiction Discussion Group
  • What are you reading? Discussion Group
  • Dystopian literature Discussion Group
  • SHORT Stories Discussion Group
  • Page Turner Discussion Group

Other Reviews

Amazon Reviews (5)
 

Most Helpful Reviews

Liked It

2 of 2 members found this review helpful.
Karen
  • Rated 4 stars

“This was a hard sell to readers who have normally liked Margaret Atwood because it actually is more of a science fiction novel. The story is told by a character named Snowman who is living in post-apocalyptic Canada (I believe) and he recounts the events that lead up to the devastation that he now lives in. Oryx and Crake are people, there's a romance, adventure, a whodunnit. It's fantastic.”

Karen’s full review »
more reviews »

Didn’t Like It

Lisa E
  • Rated 2 stars

“Not her best. Unclear ending and too much flashback leading up to things a reader probably had figured out. Interesting twist on the futuristic societies with genetic engineering gone wrong, but very slow story.”

Lisa E’s full review »
more reviews »
Community:
  • Rated 4.110571 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 4 stars
  

Newest Comments

  • Diane N

    diane n said:

    “I think the 3 questions people will ask after reading this is;
    What would I do?
    What does Snowman do?
    What SHOULD Snowman do?”

    posted Wednesday, May 21 2008
  • Amanda R

    amanda r said:

    “sequels are not Atwood's style. It would not be the book that it is if everything were explained, and it also wouldn't be Atwood. Her brilliance is in her ability to make you THINK about it. And in regards to the last comment, OF COURSE HE'S NOT OK! He's almost utterly alone and the world is almost ruined. If he were OK, this book would be fantasy and also not very good.”

    posted Thursday, March 13 2008
  • Weave

    weave said:

    “I am the same, I would love to see a sequel but at the same time maybe snowman is better where he is. I think I just want to make sure he is okay! ”

    posted Saturday, February 2 2008
  • englishteacherchick

    englishteacherchick said:

    “This is the first Atwood book I've read and all I can say is WOW! I was impressed with the way in which she progressively revealed what had happened to Snowman while still maintaining the sense of impending doom; the way in which the flashbacks are structured is a particularly interesting aspect of this.

    The thing I found most interesting is certain people's embodiment of many sentimalities that are found in present society. If this is a reflection what society could become (Chickie Noobs anyone?), then I am truly scared.

    ”

    posted Thursday, January 3 2008
  • jennynoel

    jennynoel said:

    “When it comes right down to it, Snowman believed in Crake's vision and took seriously his part in it. There may be part of him that resists, and there is a huge part that is revolted by how the plan was carried out but when it comes down to it his loyalty to Oryx and Crake trumps anything else. It is clear that whatever he thought he should do (within the vision of Crake) in that situation is what he did.

    The 3 humans represent two different threats: 1) a direct threat to the Crakers and 2) an indirect threat of repopulating the Earth with humans - a fatally flawed species. The likelihood of danger to the Crakers increases if Snowman fails to kill all 3 before they kill him. Based on the radio communication in Russian, these 3 might not be the only other humans left so the second danger may occur whether or not these three survive. However, killing them gives the Crakers a chance to increase their population before they ever encounter possibly hostile humans.

    I think it comes down to whether or not Snowman believes he can take all three out. If he leaves one pissed off and scared human alive, that's bad for the Crakers, so he can't take the chance. Is the element of suprise enough to overcome 1 (badly injured) vs. 3 odds?”

    posted Tuesday, May 1 2007
© 2008 Tastemakers, Inc. | Portions of Shelfari.com are Copyright © 1996-2008 Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy