Oryx and Crake
2 journalers for this copy...
I’m not sure how to review this book. I really like Atwood’s work, but I have to say that I’m a bit disappointed. More than that, I’m baffled by the reviews and the fact that it was short-listed for the Booker.
I think partly I didn’t like it because I’m not a big fan of futurism. It’s always difficult to place a character in an alternate/future world without descriptions that sink to the level of explanation – or worse, when an event or thought is described with the obvious intent of highlighting the causality. An example of this would be Snowman’s introspection on the bobkittens. These creatures are a part of his world, and he would spend no more time contemplating their existence than I would that of the crows in my world. That’s not to say I don’t think about crows, it’s just not something you would put into a text. It’s mundane.
Of course this is still written by Atwood, with her enormous talent, and I found the story interesting. I just didn’t find it moving in any emotional way.
That being said, I’m going to pass this book on. It could well be that the next person who reads this thinks it’s great. I hope so. Enjoy.
I think partly I didn’t like it because I’m not a big fan of futurism. It’s always difficult to place a character in an alternate/future world without descriptions that sink to the level of explanation – or worse, when an event or thought is described with the obvious intent of highlighting the causality. An example of this would be Snowman’s introspection on the bobkittens. These creatures are a part of his world, and he would spend no more time contemplating their existence than I would that of the crows in my world. That’s not to say I don’t think about crows, it’s just not something you would put into a text. It’s mundane.
Of course this is still written by Atwood, with her enormous talent, and I found the story interesting. I just didn’t find it moving in any emotional way.
That being said, I’m going to pass this book on. It could well be that the next person who reads this thinks it’s great. I hope so. Enjoy.
Dropped this into the mail to bakerwhencan. Enjoy.
Received from OnTheBus today--- thank you! I will read for my bookclub this month. Just sent Shipping News to you today.
I just finished this, and well... I kept waiting and wanting to be moved by the book more. This is the first book I've read by M. Atwood and she clearly is a talented writer. Although the futuristic world she created was interesting, I could not attach to the characters or understand their motivations completely. In fact, I found them whiny and undeveloped. I think I was missing just a little bit more of the big picture.
Still a very interesting writer and I do plan to read her other work. Thanks again to onthebus for sharing this with me.
Still a very interesting writer and I do plan to read her other work. Thanks again to onthebus for sharing this with me.
Journal Entry 5 by bakerwhencan at - At a coffee meeting in Given To A Friend, Friend -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Released 19 yrs ago (3/16/2005 UTC) at - At a coffee meeting in Given To A Friend, Friend -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
I've given this to a friend who will see our other friend and fellow bookclub member today for lunch and pass this on.
I've given this to a friend who will see our other friend and fellow bookclub member today for lunch and pass this on.