Oryx and Crake

by Margaret Atwood | Science Fiction & Fantasy |
ISBN: 0385721676 Global Overview for this book
Registered by MissQ of Fredericton, New Brunswick Canada on 11/4/2004
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2 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by MissQ from Fredericton, New Brunswick Canada on Thursday, November 4, 2004
This is my Nov/Dec Book Club pick. I've been wanting to read it for a while.

About the story:

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 planet. He is not entirely alone, however, as he considers himself the shepherd of a group of experimental, human-like creatures called the Children of Crake. As he scavenges and tends to his insect bites, Snowman recalls in flashbacks how the world fell apart.

Journal Entry 2 by MissQ from Fredericton, New Brunswick Canada on Wednesday, November 17, 2004
A very interesting book! This is only the third Atwood book I've read but I definitely like her writing style and will be reading more of her books. Though this is a book about the future, it doesn't seem too sci-fi. I think it's more of a warning about the extreme possible results of human actions. I just read 1984 recently and can see some of its influence on this book (from the "Pleeblands" to "BlyssPlus"). And, like 1984, this is not likely to happen, it is an exaggerated case of what could happen.

I would have given this a higher rating but I wasn't overly pleased with the ending. I know tidy, all ends tied up endings aren't the way to go these days but I keep finding that novels just end in the middle of something. And then I go "Yeah, but what else?" Sigh, I guess the best I can hope for is a sequel. Overall though, I really enjoyed the book and found it an easy and engaging read. I think there will be lots to discuss (most notably what could happen after the ending) at my book club.

I'll be lending this to RealBookWorm soon.

Journal Entry 3 by MissQ from Fredericton, New Brunswick Canada on Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Lending to RealBookWorm.

Journal Entry 4 by RealBookWorm on Tuesday, December 21, 2004
I just received this book today on loan from MissQ. Thanks!

Journal Entry 5 by RealBookWorm on Saturday, January 22, 2005
This is my second Atwood book and I really like her writing; however, I wasn't happy with the ending of this book. But that's because I want MORE darn it all, MORE!!

All in all, it's written in a believable way even though I can't imagine a future like that. I guess that's why I'm not a writer. I'm giving it an 8, even with the no ending end.

It will now go back to its owner, MissQ. Thanks for the loan! :)

Journal Entry 6 by MissQ from Fredericton, New Brunswick Canada on Sunday, February 27, 2005
Got this back from RealBookWorm today when we met at Tim's for coffee/tea. Glad you liked it!

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