Oryx and Crake: A Review

 Like many books that rest on the shelves of teenagers, Oryx and Crake, written by Margaret Atwood, takes place after the end of the world...kind of. The novel begins with the introduction to Snowman, a mysterious man who is responsible for an even more mysterious group of "semi-humans" (that's all I'm going to say about them). Snowman spends most of his time drinking, eating, and reflecting on what his life used to be like. Memories of his past life come in short and often confusing fragments, forcing the reader to piece together what happened to humanity. 

I've read a lot of post-apocalyptic novels. The concept started out feeling extremely fresh and exciting, but as more and more books about the same thing came out it began to feel extremely monotonous. The world always ends in fire, and there's always one person strong enough to fight against the odds and come out alive. Of course, Margaret Atwood wrote Orxy and Crake long before Katniss Everdeen caught fire, but nonetheless I was wary of reading another dystopian novel. 

Good news, Orxy and Crake's world does not end in fire, and there is not one person strong enough to fight against the odds and come out alive. In fact, the majority of the novel isn't about the aftermath of some humanity destroying event, but rather what events led up to this destruction. The world in which the reader finds himself is that of enormous scientific discovery. Both medicine and technology have propelled the human species into a new generation, but not without consequences. The gap between the rich and the poor is so prevalent that the wealthy live inside elegant compounds where they are provided anything they need, while the poor live in an area called "the pleeblands" where disease and hunger reign. 

What's so intriguing about this book is the mystery that surrounds every action, every thought of the characters. Snowman wanders the forest and talks to himself, occasionally hinting at what life was like as a child when he was named Jimmy and lived securely inside a compound. Atwood's use of alternating timelines is frustrating at times, as the chapters switch constantly between past and present. In the end, however, the pay-off is extremely rewarding as the past and present collide, answering many of the questions that the reader had. But not all questions were answered. The minute I finished the book I went online to see if I could find any answers to the questions that were left unanswered. To my surprise, this book is the first of a trilogy. Part of me was annoyed because I don't think this book needs any sequels, partly because many of the questions were left to the interpretation of the reader. 

Overall, I was extremely entertained by Oryx and Crake. If anything, read this book because it makes you think. Even though Atwood wrote it in 2003, she still confronts many topics that are extremely relevant today. Should humans play God? Should some areas of science be left untouched? What are we capable of? In 2015 we are contemplating serious issues such as genetic manipulation, cloning, and weaponization of biological agents. We worry that we're destroying our planet through things like carbon dioxide emission and fracking. Oryx and Crake addresses these fears and expands on them. What she shows the reader is a world where humanity failed to address these issues and suffered the consequences. 

Overall, I give this novel 8.5 deadly viruses out of 10. To learn more about Oryx and Crake, or any other pieces written by Margaret Atwood check out her website: http://margaretatwood.ca/. 

Side Note: You might notice how bland my post looks today. When I went to the library last week they informed me that I had an $8.40 fine on this book, so I decided to return it ASAP. So no photo of the book’s cover, sorry to disappoint. Always return your books in time children.