Oryx and Crake

This month’s book was Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood. This was Priya’s choice – hosted at the inner city home of Greg and Chez. It was an intimate affair; present: Marnie and Nicole (Marnic), Greg, Chez and Priya. Priya provided paneer, roti (aka chipati but we’re trying to alliterate here) and rice.

Ratings for the book were as follows: Marnie 7, Nicole 8.5, Greg 8, Chez 8.5, Priya (whilst “trying to be objective”) was 10. Marnie found it a book of two halves. Initially thinking, “how will I get through this?” she found the latter part of the book riveting. Nicole enjoyed the book because of Atwood’s ability to craft a story around a far-out concept. Greg, while iffy about the structure, particularly enjoyed the character Crake, whom he felt accelerated the story. While Chez enjoyed the book, she found the science “sometimes unconvincing” but on the whole, sound. She found science and technology an interesting tool used by the writer to explore the weaknesses of humanity. Priya found Atwood’s writing a particular strength (she owns every Atwood book!).

Oryx and Crake is an interesting book as it essentially ends with the climax. For those who are interested in reading further on this post-apocalyptic journey, Year of the Flood is the parallel story. Priya, perhaps you will choose this book for your next book club! An interesting part of our discussion was the timing of the book. Marnie and Nicole estimated that it was at the end of the 22^nd century. Priya and Chez (the scientists among us) postulated that this book was staged much earlier – at the end of this century. Greg thought it was set around 2250.

Priya, though a new member of Marnic, hosted an excellent evening – it was a pity others couldn’t have been there.