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Zoeytron's Reviews > Oryx and Crake
Oryx and Crake (MaddAddam, #1)
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Margaret Atwood is one scary lady. The world as we knew it no longer exists. Racked by plagues, extreme weather that can no longer be predicted with any accuracy, angry mobs, and a trend toward genetic engineering and all that it implies. Sound all too familiar? Sure, but what about in 2003 when the book was first published? It's finally happened - we have gotten too big for our own britches.Â
I love dystopian novels, and am gobsmacked at just how close to the quick this tale cut. Despite that, the read itself was a grind for me. Typically, I dig on darkness. Still do. But here, I actively wanted to finish this story and move on to something else. Thus, I find myself deep in outlier territory as I am only willing to give 3 stars. I will not be pursuing the series.
I love dystopian novels, and am gobsmacked at just how close to the quick this tale cut. Despite that, the read itself was a grind for me. Typically, I dig on darkness. Still do. But here, I actively wanted to finish this story and move on to something else. Thus, I find myself deep in outlier territory as I am only willing to give 3 stars. I will not be pursuing the series.
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Reading Progress
February 18, 2023
–
Started Reading
February 18, 2023
– Shelved
February 18, 2023
– Shelved as:
public-library
February 25, 2023
–
Finished Reading
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Maybe I’ll leave Ms. Atwood in my past. Thanks for the review, Zoey.
Are you going to give the other two books in this trilogy a go? The Year of the Flood is parallel in time, but told in a very different way, though I'm not sure that would endear itself to you more. The final one, MaddAddam was rather a waste of time, imo. Not awful, but it didn't add much worth adding.
Joe wrote: "Zoeytron wrote: "Margaret Atwood is one scary lady."Margaret Atwood is a witch! I'm intimidated by this author but looking forward to reading more of her work. Even though I haven't loved everyth..."
I love Atwood's ideas, but she just isn't that easy for me to read. I really liked The Handmaid's Tale and the followup to it. Also Stone Mattress: 9 Tales. Appreciate your comments, Joe, and intend to circle back and read your review.
Wyndy wrote: "Maybe I’ll leave Ms. Atwood in my past. Thanks for the review, Zoey."She has some killer ideas for her novels, Wyndy, but is never a quick read for me. Thanks!
Cecily wrote: "Are you going to give the other two books in this trilogy a go? The Year of the Flood is parallel in time, but told in a very different way, though I'm not sure that would endear its..."No, I do not intend to give the other two books in this trilogy a go. Love Atwood's ideas, but it almost turns into a job of work to make my way through her writing. I'll check out your reviews, nevertheless. Thank you for commenting, Cecily.
I appreciate that it’s too dark, ZT, and as ever, enjoyed your review. I read, or attempted to read, The Handmaid’s Tale years ago and I can’t remember why it didn’t work for me at the time, other than maybe the writing? I need to give it another try because I also love dystopian novels, even though they scare the heck out of me!
Never heard of this series but being Atwood one would think it was a sure bet. Bummer. Honest review Zoey!
It's odd, but I liked this a whole lot more than The Handmaid's Tale - and I read both just a few months apart (I expected the opposite to happen as far as likeability for me!). I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it more, ZT, but I loved this: "we have gotten too big for our own britches". For sure!!
Zoetytron, I was not really impressed by the series either, but read all three of them. Just like to read Margaret Atwood, I guess.
I felt the same way and gave it 2.5 stars.
I like the author, but this is well-trammeled ground and I didn't feel Atwood brought anything interesting...
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader wrote: "I appreciate that it’s too dark, ZT, and as ever, enjoyed your review. I read, or attempted to read, The Handmaid’s Tale years ago and I can’t remember why it didn’t work for me at the time, other ..."Interestingly enough, it wasn't the darkness that overwhelmed, but the denseness of the writing. I don't know how else to describe it. Thank you, JT.
Federico wrote: "Never heard of this series but being Atwood one would think it was a sure bet. Bummer. Honest review Zoey!"I know! Atwood deserves plenty of respect for her ideas. And her writing may be hard for me to read, but plenty of others 5-starred this one. Thank you, Federico.
Candi wrote: "It's odd, but I liked this a whole lot more than The Handmaid's Tale - and I read both just a few months apart (I expected the opposite to happen as far as likeability for me!). I'm sorry you didn'..."Thank you, Candi. I poached that britches comment from my parents. It always pissed me off when they would tell me I was getting too big for my britches. On the other hand, I reveled in it when they laid that admonition on my brother. Ha!
Hanneke wrote: "Zoetytron, I was not really impressed by the series either, but read all three of them. Just like to read Margaret Atwood, I guess."I can understand that perfectly, Hanneke. Atwood has some killer ideas, to be sure!
Natalie wrote: "I felt the same way and gave it 2.5 stars."Your review was really good, Natalie. Thanks for commenting here.
I was hoping you would enjoy, but we don't always click on the same books, Zoey, and that's alright. Atwood continues to fascinate me, yet I've been holding off on the last book in this series. This first read better, for me, than the second, so high hopes for the finale.
Your ambivalence comes across well, Zoey…�.insightful review!
Jan wrote: "I like the author, but this is well-trammeled ground and I didn't feel Atwood brought anything interesting..."I appreciate your comment, Jan. Books that don't really resonate all that well with us can make us appreciate the next one even more.
Ron wrote: "I was hoping you would enjoy, but we don't always click on the same books, Zoey, and that's alright. Atwood continues to fascinate me, yet I've been holding off on the last book in this series. Thi..."I was, too. You and several of my other GR buddies loved this 5-stars worth. That was one thing that kept me reading. And the fact that Atwood wrote of things 20 years ago that are front and center in today's world. Thanks, Ron!
Paromjit wrote: "Your ambivalence comes across well, Zoey…�.insightful review!"Much obliged, Paromjit. :-)
ZT,I love this trilogy, and I have been talking about it a lot this month, actually. It is disturbingly topical, isn't it?
Julie wrote: "ZT,I love this trilogy, and I have been talking about it a lot this month, actually. It is disturbingly topical, isn't it?"
Your phrase of "disturbingly topical" to describe this is right on the money, Julie. Atwood's crystal ball must have been in tiptop working order when she penned this. We should be very afraid.
Aw, I’m sorry this was a grind for you, Zoeytron. I read this too long ago to remember why it worked so well for me, but I was riveted the whole way. Year of the Flood had such a different feel, I wonder if you’d like that better? It focused on a different community in that world, and if my memory serves me, was more tangibly relatable (Julie, you’re invited to chime in here). I have the last book to go, and plan on reading it soon�
Jennifer wrote: "Aw, I’m sorry this was a grind for you, Zoeytron. I read this too long ago to remember why it worked so well for me, but I was riveted the whole way. Year of the Flood had such a different feel, I ..."You are not the first one to mention how different the "feel" was with the second book in the series. I may reconsider at some point, but for now I'm going to let it go. I'll be on the lookout for when you get to the last book in the series. Thanks, Jennifer.
Fantastic review, Zoeytron. I enjoyed this more than you,but it is not my favorite by Atwood. She is always ahead of the game when it comes to dystopian fiction.
Meredith (Slowly Catching Up) wrote: "Fantastic review, Zoeytron. I enjoyed this more than you,but it is not my favorite by Atwood. She is always ahead of the game when it comes to dystopian fiction."Thank you, Meredith, I appreciate that. And you're right about Atwood. Her mind is on a totally different plane from most. Bet even she didn't realize how closely her ideas from over 20 years ago would mirror what is going on in the present.
Yes, this sounds all too real for comfort for those of us who read for relaxation 😕Awesome review though!
I love your review and appreciate your candor, Zoey. I felt that same sense of unease reading The Handmaid’s Tale. I'm guessing that her dystopian society just doesn't feel that imaginary right now.
Has it occurred to you that perhaps the people who planned what’s going on now had read this book?
Terrific review, Zoey!💙 I love dystopian, too, so will add and see if it works for me any better. Fingers crossed for me🤞
JanB wrote: "Yes, this sounds all too real for comfort for those of us who read for relaxation 😕Awesome review though!"
It cuts all the way to the bone, JanB, that's for sure. Thanks very much!
Carol wrote: "I love your review and appreciate your candor, Zoey. I felt that same sense of unease reading The Handmaid’s Tale. I'm guessing that her dystopian society just doesn't feel that imag..."
Yes, I remember that feeling whilst reading The Handmaid's Tale. Atwood is adept at finding horrifying aspects that come all too close to reality. Thank you, Carol.
Meredith wrote: "Has it occurred to you that perhaps the people who planned what’s going on now had read this book?"No! That makes it even scarier, doesn't it? Thanks for commenting, Meredith.
Terrie wrote: "Terrific review, Zoey!💙 I love dystopian, too, so will add and see if it works for me any better. Fingers crossed for me🤞"I hope you love it, Terrie. It's got dystopian down to a tee, that's for sure. Thanks so much!
Melissa (Way Behind Again!) wrote: "Super review Zoey!"Thankee, Melissa!
Holly wrote: "Wonderful review ZT! 💕"Many thanks, Holly! :-)
Margaret Atwood is a witch! I'm intimidated by this author but looking forward to reading more of her work. Even though I haven't loved everything she's written, she's a great writing instructor. Thank you for reviewing this, ZT.