Rating: 4/5
Book Content Warnings: Mentions of abuse and rape
“When any civilization is dust and ashes,” he said, “art is all that’s left over. Images, words, music. Imaginative structures. Meaning — human meaning, that is — is defined by them. You have to admit that.”
— Margaret Atwood, Oryx and Crake
A book Margaret Atwood would deem speculative fiction, Oryx and Crake explores the devaluation of the arts within a rapidly expanding society that heavily relies on scientific inventions. Told through two narrative strands, the story follows Jimmy/Snowman, versions of the same man before and after a world altering event occurs. Through these alternating perspectives, readers are given glimpses into the post-apocalyptic world Snowman survives in, as well as the world that leads up to this ruin that Jimmy remembers.
It is made clear from the very beginning how strong the narrative voice truly is in this novel. The ideals and personal beliefs of the main character are hard to ignore or miss. Jimmy, in particular, leaps out of the page at the reader with his thoughts and disturbing realizations. This is only expanded on with Crake—more than just a namesake for the novel—and his relationship with Jimmy and Oryx—again, more than just a namesake). Many heavy themes are discussed at length within the novel, and are directly connected with all three of the main characters. It is through these discussions that clever criticisms of societal norms are displayed, from discussions of privilege within STEM academic fields to the normalization of violence and masculinity. Other things like classism and sexism are also discussed, though it is important to keep in mind that the main character of this novel is a man, something Atwood does not let us forget.
It is through these discussions that clever criticisms of societal norms are displayed, from discussions of privilege within STEM academic fields to the normalization of violence and masculinity.
In addition to all of this, the element of surprise is utilized well. Readers are left to piece things together, and it is only until the end of the novel that things become clearer. This is all made more extensive thanks to the nature of the narrators: Jimmy had a very disturbing upbringing, and Snowman experienced tremendous trauma and has memory gaps because of it all.
A central concept of the novel is the concept of humanity, what it means to be human. The existence and creation of many different scientific advancements, including the beings Snowman takes care of, call this into question. Snowman looks after the Crakers, created by the infamous Crake who wished to create a race of beings superior to humans, genetically erasing what he deemed to be unnecessary. Jimmy and Crake differ and clash in this sense: one more of a “words” person, the other more for numbers, as Jimmy himself says.
This novel is an exploration of what would happen if someone had too much power and pride, with no one to stop them.
If you are more of a “words” person, like I am, then reading this book will only make you appreciate words, and your love for them, even more. This novel is an exploration of what would happen if someone had too much power and pride, with no one to stop them. It is also a warning of the consequences that come with scientific progress, that will always come with progress, no matter the benefits and reassurances. Though it leaves you with more questions rather than answers, it certainly intrigued me enough to add the rest of the series onto my reading list.
—Melissa Mora-Gonzalez, Fall 2022 Staff
Margaret Atwood is the author of over forty books and the winner of numerous awards and honors. The first novel in the MaddAddam Trilogy, Oryx and Crake was published in 2003, followed by The Year of the Flood in 2009. The series was completed in 2013 with MaddAddam.
Oryx and Crake can be purchased here.
BERKELEY FICTION REVIEW 