I picked up Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake on audiotape at the library the other day. Helluva book. I'm about 2/3 through right now, and I've been hooked since the end of the first chapter.
It's a post-apocalyptic tale, and I won’t say much more than that. The back story is revealed only slowly, through inner monologue and a multitude of flashback. While little is revealed about Snowman’s situation at first, it isn’t confusing. Ms. Atwood kept me hungry for more information while never making me feel like she was jumping through hoops in order to avoid mentioning some key point. Likewise, it isn’t boring. We’re fed enough fascinating tidbits about this world (our future world) to keep things interesting. As far as the bleak future she outline – is it possible? Sure. But like 90% of the US population, I’ve lived with the knowledge that mankind has the capacity to destroy itself since I was old enough to grasp the concept. I’m not saying that I’m comfortable with the idea, but it certainly doesn’t cut as deeply any more.Barring an unexpectedly clumsy ending, I’ll give this book 5 out of 5 duckies.
2 comments:
The ending isn't clumsy. I think you'll be pleased. I, myself, love this book and nearly read it in one sitting on a flight from Chicago to Seattle. I couldn't put it down.
Oh yes, I agree. Lovely book, cover to cover. One of the few times in recent memory where I've sat in the car after arriving at work, just needing to hear another paragraph before I turned off the book on tape. Very nice.
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