Sign in with Facebook
Pedro's Reviews > Oryx & Crake
Oryx & Crake (MaddAddam #1)
by
by
I’m so glad to be back to my (literary) apocalyptic journey. This time, after coming across it in a few lists of best apocalyptic fiction, and despite some reservations, I decided to give Mrs Atwood a third chance by picking this one up.
And my friends, I’m also glad to report that it only took me a couple of pages to realise that I had a bloody clever page turner in my hands.
Jimmy. This was all about Jimmy. Jimmy as a child, Jimmy as an adolescent, Jimmy as an adult... Jimmy before the apocalypse. Jimmy during the apocalypse and also Jimmy after the apocalypse. Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy... and more Jimmy.
Jimmy doesn’t know which is worse, a past he can’t regain or a present that will destroy him if he looks at it too clearly and neither do I, to be honest. Then there’s the future. Sheer vertigo , don’t you agree?
At this point I have to say that this novel has as many dystopian elements in it as it does apocalyptic ones. The narrative jumps backwards and forwards in a way that usually only leads me to despair. Oh, and with the exception of Jimmy, I can’t really say that all other characters were well developed. But here, somehow, it all worked. And exceptionally well, I dare say, because this underdevelopment only added more mystery to the already very mysterious (and quite dark) nature of these same characters.
As I’ve already said, this was ALL about Jimmy, and the fact that there were so many time jumps only turned this into a more compelling read.
Now, in case you’re wondering, let me give you one example (of many) as to why I think this story is even more relevant now than when it was first published back in 2004. Here’s a passage from page 209 of my edition:
The students of song and dance continued to sing and dance, though the energy had gone out of these activities and the classes were small. Live performances had suffered in the sabotage panics of the early twenty-first-century - no one during those decades had wanted to form part of a large group at a public event...
You should’ve seen me grimacing when I first read this... Aha.
How Mrs Atwood could see this coming is completely beyond me.
How the world changed so completely in a matter of months is, I believe, completely beyond any of us, right?
Maybe we understand more than we know or maybe we don’t understand nothing at all and the whole world is now one vast uncontrolled experiment (...) and the doctrine of unintended consequences is in full spate.
The same people who emptied the shelves of toilet roll in the supermarkets now believe we’re going to be out of this situation soon but I’m as sure about this as I was about their “obsessive hygienic behaviour�. (What were they so scared about? And why wasn’t I?)
Perhaps I just have what some might call a pessimistic view of all this situation and that’s okay. What I think doesn’t really matter.
After everything that’s happened, how can the world still be so beautiful? Because it is.
And my friends, I’m also glad to report that it only took me a couple of pages to realise that I had a bloody clever page turner in my hands.
Jimmy. This was all about Jimmy. Jimmy as a child, Jimmy as an adolescent, Jimmy as an adult... Jimmy before the apocalypse. Jimmy during the apocalypse and also Jimmy after the apocalypse. Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy... and more Jimmy.
Jimmy doesn’t know which is worse, a past he can’t regain or a present that will destroy him if he looks at it too clearly and neither do I, to be honest. Then there’s the future. Sheer vertigo , don’t you agree?
At this point I have to say that this novel has as many dystopian elements in it as it does apocalyptic ones. The narrative jumps backwards and forwards in a way that usually only leads me to despair. Oh, and with the exception of Jimmy, I can’t really say that all other characters were well developed. But here, somehow, it all worked. And exceptionally well, I dare say, because this underdevelopment only added more mystery to the already very mysterious (and quite dark) nature of these same characters.
As I’ve already said, this was ALL about Jimmy, and the fact that there were so many time jumps only turned this into a more compelling read.
Now, in case you’re wondering, let me give you one example (of many) as to why I think this story is even more relevant now than when it was first published back in 2004. Here’s a passage from page 209 of my edition:
The students of song and dance continued to sing and dance, though the energy had gone out of these activities and the classes were small. Live performances had suffered in the sabotage panics of the early twenty-first-century - no one during those decades had wanted to form part of a large group at a public event...
You should’ve seen me grimacing when I first read this... Aha.
How Mrs Atwood could see this coming is completely beyond me.
How the world changed so completely in a matter of months is, I believe, completely beyond any of us, right?
Maybe we understand more than we know or maybe we don’t understand nothing at all and the whole world is now one vast uncontrolled experiment (...) and the doctrine of unintended consequences is in full spate.
The same people who emptied the shelves of toilet roll in the supermarkets now believe we’re going to be out of this situation soon but I’m as sure about this as I was about their “obsessive hygienic behaviour�. (What were they so scared about? And why wasn’t I?)
Perhaps I just have what some might call a pessimistic view of all this situation and that’s okay. What I think doesn’t really matter.
After everything that’s happened, how can the world still be so beautiful? Because it is.
Sign into Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ to see if any of your friends have read
Oryx & Crake.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
May 28, 2021
–
Started Reading
May 28, 2021
– Shelved
May 30, 2021
–
19.72%
"He could feel it within himself to hate Crake, as well as liking him."
page
86
May 31, 2021
–
29.36%
"...but if he can say her name over and over, then maybe she’ll glide into his body and be present with him in his flesh, and his hand on himself will become her hand. But she’s always been evasive, you can never pin her down. Tonight she fails to materialise and he is left alone, whimpering ridiculously, jerking off all by himself in the dark."
page
128
June 4, 2021
–
53.44%
"... there was Crake in his no-name dark clothing, looking older and thinner and also smarter than ever, leaning on the exit barrier and grinning. “Hi there, cork-nut,� said Crake, and nostalgia swept through Jimmy like sudden hunger. He was so pleased to see Crake he almost wept."
page
233
June 6, 2021
–
64.22%
"A puff of air - whuff! - hits his ears, blow out the candle. He can’t bothered relighting it, because the bourbon is taking over. He’d rather stay in the dark."
page
280
June 8, 2021
–
77.29%
"...he was touched that Crake would experience concern for him, would come all this way to seek him out. Even though they hadn’t been in close touch lately - Jimmy’s fault - Crake was still his friend."
page
337
June 10, 2021
– Shelved as:
my-apocalyptic-journey
June 10, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-29 of 29 (29 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Antoinette
(new)
-
added it
Jun 16, 2021 03:26PM
Wonderful review, Pedro. So happy to see you loved this one by Atwood. I have yet to read this one, but it is sitting on my shelves:)
reply
|
flag
Pedro, I'm going to have to meet Jimmy for myself now, aren't I?!! This is one of her novels that I've been kind of ambivalent about picking up. But it is Atwood and I love her. And now this stellar review, my friend!! Okay, I'll read it :)P.S. I was one of those people with not enough toilet roll stocked up :D I'm also one of those that was more than just a little excited to go mask-free to work and to the bar last night :D :D But I won't burn the masks in the bonfire like I thought I would. Because, well, you know... ;)
Hi Pedro, I came across you when looking for a similar book taste and to help me remember which books I have read and wanted to read. I have eagerly awaited your rating and review of Oryx and Crake (a book I loved) and am so happy to see you give it 5 stars! It took me a while back then to start reading M Atwood, am very glad I did, have liked many of her books so far (but not all!) What are the 2 you did not like, this being your 3rd attempt to enjoy her?
This sounds like a book that is masterfully crafted, Pedro. You sold it well. Atwood was prescient in her creation of this world. What was it about the toilet rolls? I never figured it out.
I think this is my favourite Atwood, initially I enjoyed The Blind Assassin more but this is just so clever and manages to capture so much of our current world
Great review Pedro. I really enjoyed this book too.
I was just thinking about this book yesterday, Pedro (about how I bought it when it came out, in 1st edition hardcover, and STILL haven't picked it off my shelf!). I'm so thrilled it has earned your 5 stars.
Antoinette wrote: "Wonderful review, Pedro. So happy to see you loved this one by Atwood. I have yet to read this one, but it is sitting on my shelves:)"Thank you, Antoinette.
This one was great. I'm so happy that I think it's not going to take me long to pick up another one of her novels. Maybe Cat's Eye.
And I'd love to know what you think of this one. And also of Jimmy, obviously. ;)
Candi wrote: "Pedro, I'm going to have to meet Jimmy for myself now, aren't I?!! This is one of her novels that I've been kind of ambivalent about picking up. But it is Atwood and I love her. And now this stella..."Thanks Candi, I know you can't wait to meet Jimmy. And I can't wait to know what you think of him because Jimmy really is one of a kind. ;D
Yes, forget the bonfire for now. Better safe than sorry. Ahah.
But let's not forget that all the restrictions by the governments have started after weeks of obsession about toilet roll. While people were fighting for it (the bloody toilet roll) the governments were actually very clear about how pointless was, for example, to wear a face mask.
I still remember the sequence of events very well, don't I?
Marta wrote: "Hi Pedro, I came across you when looking for a similar book taste and to help me remember which books I have read and wanted to read. I have eagerly awaited your rating and review of Oryx and Crake..."Hi Marta.
I thought this one was a very clever and thought provoking novel but The Handmaid"s Tale was basically an eye rolling kind of read and The Blind Assassin was so cleverly thought out that it felt contrived; I basically could sense the author behind every single word (and every twist, by the way).
Laysee wrote: "This sounds like a book that is masterfully crafted, Pedro. You sold it well. Atwood was prescient in her creation of this world. What was it about the toilet rolls? I never figured it out."This was a such a good read, Laysee. This is what I call a page turner.
And in my opinion, and mostly based on what I saw and understand form the whole situation, the toilet rolls thing was just one of the consequences of the biggest collective panic atack in the history of humankind.
Henk wrote: "I think this is my favourite Atwood, initially I enjoyed The Blind Assassin more but this is just so clever and manages to capture so much of our current world"It is by far my favourite, Henk. A very clever book indeed.
I have long loved Atwood's writing; Cat's Eye, The Blind Assassin. Handmaid's Tale, but apocalyptic themes are not for me. Your review is wonderful and I understand your appreciation of her fine writing, Pedro.
Beth wrote: "Great review Pedro. I really enjoyed this book too."Thanks Beth!! Such a good book!! And Jimmy is an unforgettable character. ;)
Robin wrote: "I was just thinking about this book yesterday, Pedro (about how I bought it when it came out, in 1st edition hardcover, and STILL haven't picked it off my shelf!). I'm so thrilled it has earned you..."This was a great read, Robin. And just so you know, things get quite dark in places. ;D
I can't even imagine how it would feel like to be a book unread on a shelf for nearly twenty years. Poor thing!!
Barbara wrote: "I have long loved Atwood's writing; Cat's Eye, The Blind Assassin. Handmaid's Tale, but apocalyptic themes are not for me. Your review is wonderful and I understand your appreciation of her fine wr..."I totally get it, Barbara. I think we both love Atwood but not the same novels. Aha.
I think my next Atwood is going to be Cat's Eye. Fingers crossed. ;)
You've excelled yourself with this review Pedro, wonderful mate. This sounds like another clever Atwood offering - added!
Great review and I am definately going to read this now. I recently read "The Heart Goes Last" which was also an apocalyptic novel and it was very well done. I read Atwood years ago and have recently returned to her, reading "Surfacing" too recently - so now I think I am a fully fledged fan.
Mark wrote: "You've excelled yourself with this review Pedro, wonderful mate. This sounds like another clever Atwood offering - added!"It was very clever indeed, Mark. I look forward to know what you think of Jimmy. ;D
Joan wrote: "Great review and I am definately going to read this now. I recently read "The Heart Goes Last" which was also an apocalyptic novel and it was very well done. I read Atwood years ago and have recent..."Joan, I'll have to admit that I'm not a "full fledged fan" yet but I'm definitely closer after this one. I hope you love it as much as I did. :)
Excellent review, Pedro. this sounds quite intriguing, perhaps may try it some time. Thanks for sharing :)
Thanks, Gaurav. It is quite an original, timely and quirky read. I hope you enjoy it.
This is excellent, Pedro. I’ve had this one on my list for a long time, but now I can’t wait to get to it. Will you read the other two sequels?
Maricarmen wrote: "This is excellent, Pedro. I’ve had this one on my list for a long time, but now I can’t wait to get to it. Will you read the other two sequels?"Thanks, Maricarmen. I don't know why but I've got a feeling that you're going to enjoy this. A lot.
And yes, my copy of Atwood's The Year of the Flood is right there on the shelf calling me. ;D
Great! I look forward to reading your thoughts on the second one. I’m definitely planning on reading this trilogy soon. ;)
Maricarmen wrote: "Great! I look forward to reading your thoughts on the second one. I’m definitely planning on reading this trilogy soon. ;)"Stay tuned then, Maricarmen, and I look forward to your review. :)
After just finishing this Pedro, I enjoy your review even more - wasn't this a brilliant book. So interesting, and like you, I was rivetted from the first few pages. Great review mate :))
Mark wrote: "After just finishing this Pedro, I enjoy your review even more - wasn't this a brilliant book. So interesting, and like you, I was rivetted from the first few pages. Great review mate :))"Thanks, Mr President.
It's a very good book, yes, with just the right amount of fun and serious material - just how I like my page-turners. :D
Pedro wrote: "Mark wrote: "After just finishing this Pedro, I enjoy your review even more - wasn't this a brilliant book. So interesting, and like you, I was rivetted from the first few pages. Great review mate ..."A page turner indeed my friend :))
