When Oryx and Crake was first published in 2003, Atwood had distanced herself from the science fiction community, even though with Oryx and Crake and The Handmaids Tale, she could have considered herself at least a dabbler in science fiction. The various adaptations of Richard Matheson’s 1954 novel, I am Legend, come to mind, but especially the 1971 movie The Ω mega Man. The problem that most regular readers of science fiction point out is that while it is beautifully written - this is Margaret Atwood after all - this kind of story has already been told, and in much more compelling and interesting fashion. Oryx and Crake is really just another entry into the catalog of “The Earth’s population has been wiped out except for one lone survivor who searches for other survivors.” It is a Margaret Atwood book, so it was always going to have major appeal to the literary reading audience. Margaret Atwood projects us into a near future that is both all too familiar and beyond our imagining.

In search of answers, Snowman embarks on a journey - with the help of the green-eyed Children of Crake - through the lush wilderness that was so recently a great city, until powerful corporations took mankind on an uncontrolled genetic engineering ride. Snowman, known as Jimmy before mankind was overwhelmed by a plague, is struggling to survive in a world where he may be the last human, and mourning the loss of his best friend, Crake, and the beautiful and elusive Oryx whom they both loved. Oryx and Crake is at once an unforgettable love story and a compelling vision of the future. Let’s talk about: Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood What If is a column that takes a piece of speculative fiction and examines why it is so good, but also what could have made it better. Maybe it’s a missed opportunity, or a contradiction that weakens the impact of the story. We love these books, movies, and TV shows because they get so much right, they tell a great story, they make us think, and of course they entertain us.īut sometimes, there’s a character or plot point or some other little thing that niggles at us. One of the great things about Science Fiction and Fantasy is that they are entertaining while offering a new social or political perspective or commentary.

Oryx crake