Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

Published: 2003
Pages: 374
Genre: Science fiction, dystopian
Series: MaddAddam Trilogy book 1

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. 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. (from back of book)

This book was generously given to me by Marce from Tea Time With Marce. I'd really like to thank her, because I've once again discovered a great book trilogy. Having read multiple books by this author, I was bracing myself for something strange with Oryx and Crake.

Despite my anticipation, I was not prepared for the insanely crazy yet oddly realistic world that Atwood created in this book. I was immersed in a world where families live in secured compounds, "pigoons" are genetically made to grow organs, strange wolf-dog hybrids (called a "wolvog") roams the earth, and a synthetically made plague killed off most of the human population. It was very weird, but incredibly fascinating and, ironically enough, not that far-fetched at all.

The characters in this book are so interesting, and I say that in the most literal sense of the word. Snowman comes across as a negative, depressed guy. But once we learn of his past and all the events that lead up to this assumption, it's understandable. Crake, the science genius, is too mysterious for words. His seemingly twisted ideology of the world is disturbing, but, at the same time, brilliant. I wasn't sure whether he was to be trusted or not - what fun! Oryx is probably the most incomprehensible character of all. She ressembles a young girl Snowman and Crake saw in their childhood, and is innocent and naive in adulthood. Just who is she?

I must say, though, that this book isn't straightforward in the least. It jumps around, it's vague, it's confusing, it's strange. That's why I love it! It's one of those books that would make no sense if all the information was laid out on a silver platter. Its strength is in its ability to force the reader to think in other ways and other perspectives.

As for writing style, it seems Atwood has drifted away from her exquisite imagery and eloquent language to focus more on the character/plot aspects. That's not to say that she has written this book badly - not at all! It was still a complete pleasure to read, but I don't feel the writing compares to that of, say, Cat's Eye. To tell you the truth, I was oblivious to this until I finished the book and was reflecting back on what I just read. In no way does it spoil the book.

On the whole, Oryx and Crake feels like a whole new level of literature. It's scary, crazy, fantastic, and wonderful. The next time I go to the library, can you guess what I'll be looking for? The sequel, of course: The Year of the Flood.

Recommendation: Atwood lovers won't want to miss this book. If you're not a fan already, and you're willing to try something new (that might scare you a bit), consider Oryx and Crake.

Snapped by Pamela Klaffke

Published: 2010
Pages: 248
Genre: Chick lit

At the helm of must-read Snap magazine, veteran style guru Sara B. has had the job for the past fifteen years of eviscerating the city's fashion victims in her legendary DOs and DON'Ts photo spread. Fueled by alcohol, nicotine and self-loathing, Sara launches into a cringeworthy but often comic series of blowups - personal, professional and private - that culminate in an epiphany. That she, the arbiter of taste, has made her living by cutting people down. And she's got to make amends (from back of book).

I saw this odd-looking book on the shelf of the library and decided to give it a shot. It looked kind of cute and I was in the mood for something light, so why not? After finishing the book last night, I'm on the fence in terms of liking the book or not. Allow me to elaborate.

It's not often that you read about a forty-year-old who acts like a young adult - drinking constantly, working for a fashion magazine, sleeping around, and questioning her purpose in life. I have to admit, it took a considerable amount of time for me to get used to Sara as a character, but I accepted her eventually. It also took a bit of time for me to sort out all the other characters, the relationships between them, and their place in the novel. That came eventually, too, and I was slowly but steadily falling into the pace of the book.

Pamela Klaffke has a unique voice for sure. Her sentences were usually quite long, lacking any commas or semi-colons in between. It worked, though, because Snapped is written from Sara's point of view. The language is sarcastic, often comical, and always entertaining. I can't speak from experience, but I would assume that Klaffke accurately portrayed the emotions and feelings of a middle-aged woman who is going through a difficult part in her life, and that's something I like about Snapped.

Despite the fabulous narration in the book, I simply could not comprehend why Sara was so pissed off towards life. Okay, the younger generation is re-inventing your idea of style. Fine, your assistant is sleeping with your friend. Sure, you've made a few mistakes. But who hasn't? That's no reason to quit your job. That doesn't mean you have to break up with your boyfriend. How Sara dealt with her issues didn't seem mature to me, and it didn't feel realistic either.

On the whole, Snapped was a cute book. Not a favourite, but I can't say that I'm sorry I read it. It was entertaining while it lasted, and was certainly very imaginative. Even though I didn't take Sara seriously, she had a distinct personality - a very refreshing one, that's for sure.

Recommendation: Looking for something different? If you enjoy these "self-discovery" chick lit type books, give Snapped a shot. It's not for everyone, but you might end up loving it!

The Tent by Margaret Atwood

Published: 2006
Pages: 155
Genre: Short stories

The Tent is Margaret Atwood's highly imaginative new collection of mini-fictions. These vintage Atwoodian tales - monologues, pretend histories and autobiographies, animal fables, and condensed science fictions - speak to a broad range of subjects, reflecting the times we live in with deadly accuracy and knife-edge precision (from back of book).

In all honesty, I don't think I've ever read a collection of short stories. I mean, I've read some in school, but I've never had the desire to read a whole book full of them. For that reason I was a little hesitant to read The Tent, but I figured: "Hey, it's Atwood. It's gotta be good". And I was so, so right.

The stories in The Tent range from being a paragraph to a few pages, so you can generally say that they're the epitome of short stories. That's one of the reasons why I liked them so much, though; short and sweet, yet you can interpret them in a variety of ways. For example, the story "Bring Back Mom: An Invocation" is all about the role of the housewife in history, but it's also about the consequences that occur when we don't expect anything more from women. The story "Faster" is making fun of this current age when time cannot be wasted and people are concerned about efficiency and speed. Each and every story in The Tent has something to offer - whether it be a point Atwood is trying to make, or simply a whimsical, fantastical tale that transports you into another dimension.

If you haven't read any of Atwood's work, you might not understand when I say that her writing has a certain feel to it. To me, it seems almost childish at times, simple and innocent. But there's deliberate contrast when she writes about dark, even morbid topics. It's unexpected, and to me that's Atwood's signature style. Here's a great example:

"Chicken Little slammed Turkey Lurkey's office door, causing Turkey Lurkey's corkboard decorated with clever newspaper cartoons to fall to the floor. Then he took himself off to Goosey Loosey, his old roommate, who was now the editor of a major newspaper."

Along with some of Atwood's drawings scattered within the pages, The Tent is filled with mini-masterpieces that are sure to impress even her regular readers. Each tale is a jem, having the impact of a full length story.

Recommendation: Fan of short stories? You won't want to miss The Tent. If you're like me and have never touched this genre, don't be afraid. You cannot go wrong with Margaret Atwood!

Lady Oracle by Margaret Atwood

Published: 1976
Pages: 434
Genre: Fiction

Joan Foster is the frustrated wife of a political activist. Lady Oracle depicts her horrific childhood as an obese child, as well as the resentment of her mother who couldn't accept her. In her adult life, Joan starts to write gothic novels and attracts the attention of many men, including a blackmailing reporter who threatens to reveal her past. Joan flees the country and stages her death as she tries to leave her old life behind and start anew.

I'm a big fan of Margaret Atwood's novels, so when I saw Lady Oracle in the discount book store I couldn't simply walk away. After finishing the book a few short minutes ago, I've been convinced once again that Atwood is one of my favourite authors of all time. Here's why.

This is such a unique novel - from the writing, to the characters, to the story line. My curiosity played a big role in getting me involved with the book, and I think that's why it affected me like it did. I was completely drawn into its haunting and dark atmosphere and couldn't escape it. But, it wasn't a depressing book at all! I found the tone to be comical at times, and even sarcastic. Lady Oracle is so hard to describe in terms of a reading experience; it almost feels like a fairytale. It certainly isn't fantasy, but there's something lying between the pages that creates this magical feeling.

The main character, Joan, suffered a lot of pain as a child because of her obesity. Her mother would torment her almost like a child would, and this feeling of insufficiency certainly comes across in Joan's life as an adult. It's also very obvious when we get to read excerpts of Joan's gothic novels. Her characters subtly mimic what she felt as a child. And that's another reason why I liked Lady Oracle so much; it's basically a book inside a book. Atwood included snippets of Joan's novels throughout the main story, and they were extremely entertaining! I wish they were actual books; the stories are so whimsical, imaginative, and creative.

This goes without saying, but Atwood's writing style is by far one of the best I've ever had the pleasure of reading. I can't put my finger on it, but she has a specific way of structuring her sentences, and has such a strange but wonderful way of describing things. Even if the actual story drags on it doesn't matter - Atwood's exquisite, rich words are there to comfort you.

Recommendation: If you've read and enjoyed Atwood's books you must, must read Lady Oracle. But if you haven't, I still recommend this book to you! It probably isn't like anything you've ever read before, but don't let that scare you away. At the end of the last page, I can almost guarantee that you'll have found a new favourite author.

Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood

Published: 1989
Pages: 462
Genre: Fiction

Elaine Risley is a controversial artist who's returning to the place of her youth, Toronto, for a retrospective of her art. While there, she reminisces about her life as a child and the group of girls who tormented and haunted her throughout these years. We see her mature and watch as she struggles with her identity as a daughter, mother, artist, and woman.

If you're familiar with Atwood, you'll understand me when I say that her writing is unparalleled. While reading I often wonder how it is humanly possible to invent all these expertly structured sentences, metaphors, and images. But that's the beauty of Margaret Atwood's writing, and it was certainly displayed in this novel. Here's an excerpt from the third chapter:

"This is the middle of my life. I think of it as a place, like the middle of a river, the middle of a bridge, halfway across, halfway over. I'm supposed to have accumulated things by now: possessions, responsibilities, achievements, experience and wisdom. I'm supposed to be a person of substance."

That's only a small example that I found quickly. There are countless others scattered liberally throughout the book, and they're all a delight to read. That being said, I found the book as a whole difficult to read. The plotline was extremely dry and moved at an extremely slow pace, which is a huge turn off for most people. The setting changed from past to present without warning and was, at times, hard to keep up with. There were also many redundant chapters in the novel that didn't add to the main story and served no purpose. This is definitely not a light book.

Even though I marvelled at Atwood's writing style and was constantly being amazed, I can't help but think that there's a deeper meaning to this book that I'm just not grasping. There must be, otherwise it's simply a flatlined tale of a woman's life that seemingly has no meaning. This book is purely philosophical. For all those deep-thinkers out there, this one's for you!

Recommendation: If you're an avid Atwood reader or someone who can sit down and enjoy a book solely based on writing, give Cat's Eye a shot. Otherwise, I don't think you'd enjoy this book.

Animals by Don LePan

Published: 2009
Pages: 179
Genre: Fiction (Dystopian)

Set in somewhere in the unknown future where people no longer own dogs or cats as pets. Instead, they own actual human children who have mental or physical disabilities. These "mongrels" have been deemed "not human" and are subject to treatment of animals. We follow the story of a mongrel named Sam and a girl named Naomi. She forms a special understanding for this young boy and is frustrated with the cruel world around her.

With a plotline like that, it's a miracle that I actually picked this one out from the library! I think it was the strangeness that intruiged me. And I was intruiged until the very end!

I found LePan's writing style to be very odd. His sentences were incessantly long! If I wrote like that on an english essay at school, I would fail for sure. But I guess it worked for him. At times it was agrivating because I found it hard to keep track of what was being said. However, he got the point across in an effective and different way that was very fitting for this type of novel.

Now I'd like to focus on what really got me - the incomparable plot. Basically, Animals displays a world where we've lost our humanity. We've lost our empathy and our understanding. And what do we have left? A place where we abuse our own species even more than we do now.

This book is really important. LePan has so many messages that he'd like to englighten the world with, and he used this book to do just that. While reading, I was constantly asking myself questions and pondering the various points that were raised. It's so sad how people who don't measure up to our standards are treated like dirt. When people no longer want to take care of the mogrels, they send them off to a farm where they are kept in dirty pens and fattened up. Once they reach the prime age for "harvesting", they are lined up and transported to the slaughter house where they are killed and packaged to eat. While this seems cannibalistic and disgusting, LePan wrote about this to raise awareness about the cruelty we inflict on the animals we eat.

While this is an odd and sometimes disturbing piece of work, I must say that I enjoyed Animals very much. It made me think, and it made me want to take action against the mistreatment of animals.

Final say: This book is destined to become a classic in modern literature. After reading it, be prepared to have a totally different outlook on our world and our way of life. Animals is a must read!

HAVE A WONDERFUL VALENTINE'S DAY!

Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill

Published: 2006
Pages: 330
Genre: YA fiction

Set in Montreal, Baby is a young girl who, at twelve, gets sucked into the world of drugs, prostitution, and street life. Motherless and living with a heroin addict for a father, she struggles to find her place in the world. Not receiving the unconditional love that she craves from her father, Baby meets Alphonse, a dangerous and controlling pimp who encourages Baby to work for him. This is the story of a girl who is thrust into the world of adults long before she was meant to leave the innocence of childhood behind.

I picked this one up at the library a week ago. To be honest, I haven't heard much about this book before, just the occasional comment here and there. This book was shocking and disturbing unlike anything I've ever read.

I think the part that intruiged me the most about this book was the fact that Baby (yes, her name is indeed Baby) is merely twelve years old when she starts to experience the harsh and unforgiving world of adults. Even though she's doing drugs, having sex and living on the streets at such a young age, you never forget that she's still a delicate child. O'Neill uses such an honest and childlike narration to describe baby's thoughts and emotions. Here is a perfect example:

The wind was a man with a lisp talking about people who stabbed him in the back. I hurried to get home and escape him. The moon was a child's face squeezed against a screen, yelling curses down at us.

Reading this book, it truly feels as though a child wrote this story - not a woman. I'm sure that was what O'Neill was aiming for, though. The story is so much more efficacious when we see things from the angelic eye of a child.

And really, Baby only wants to be a kid. She aches for her father's love, for a stable home, for food on the table every night, to go to school everyday, to have loyal friends. I think this is why she forms such a dependency on Alphonse - she only wants someone to take care of her and act like a parent should. Sadly, she's too naive to see that he's only interested in the money she brings in.

Final say: I recommend this to everyone. The writing is gorgeous and the story is haunting. This makes for a compelling and enlightening read that you'll no doubt love right up to the last word.

The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill

Also known as: Someone Knows My Name
Published: 2007
Pages: 486
Genre: Historical fiction

Aminata Diallo was just a young girl of eleven when she was violently stolen from her home in Africa and forced into the slave trade. Having survived the harsh and cruel conditions of the slave vessel transporting her and many other innocent captives across the ocean, Aminata is auctioned off and forced to work for a wealthy man and his indigo plantation in South Carolina. Using her midwife skills, intelligence and inner strength to survive, Aminata manages to register her name in "The Book of Negroes", a British military leger that is allowing 3,000 free slaves to travel to a new colony in Nova Scotia. This is the unforgettable journey of one of the strongest female characters we've seen to date.

This is a stunning novel. Simply stunning. Not just because of one single point, but a combination of so many. The plot, character development, writing style, and themes unite to form a remarkable story that is sure to create a lasting impression on anyone who savours it to the very end.

The plot has to be the most important element of the novel due to its sheer poignancy. Reading about the hardships and abuse that these poor human beings had to endure is heartbreakingly difficult, but it needs to be told. Waves of emotion are all that you feel throughout the journey, going from rage, to understanding, to forgiveness. On top of this, we experience the inconceivable strength that radiates from Aminata, who is the most powerful character I have ever encountered in a book. Imagine being torn from your home and watching your parents and relatives being killed before your eyes. Then, imagine having to survive the disgusting and sickening trip across the ocean, locked up in the disease-stricken basement of a boat. Even when Aminata does miraculously survive this, she has to withstand rape, sexual abuse, and the racist people who treat the slaves worse than animals.

In order for us to fully comprehend the circumstances, Lawrence Hill has to carefully and deliberately describe everything we read. This is done very well and is apparent when we can easily imagine the scenes in our minds. Here is a great passage to illustrate my point:

That night, while I watched from the Lucretia, dark clouds rolled in over the mountain. The skies grew black and starless. Lightning sawed through the clouds, illuminating the ships in the harbour and sending waves of thunder crashing through the bay. From the caves in the mountain, the thunder shot back at us, echoing over and over like cannons in the night.

This detail in the writing is distinct when Hill describes the rich, lush and cultured land of Africa. We feel the homesickness that Aminata no doubt feels, and it's achingly painful.

The Book of Negroes is a beautiful story that needs to be acknowledged by everyone. After reading this, I am so much more thankful for the freedom I have, and am so much more aware of the malice that was inflicted on these innocent and harmless people. This one is certainly a must-read.

Final verdict: Any person from any culture or any age group should read this one. I recommend you at least take it out from the library, but you'll most likely want to purchase it.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Published: 1985
Pages: 388
Genre: Fiction

Set in the future, this is the story of Offred, a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead (once the United States). In this new era, the fertility rate is low, therefore the women who can reproduce are "owned" by the powerful Commanders. They are forced to have sex once a month in hopes of bearing a child. The women in this society are not allowed to read, write, be original, or be free. We follow Offred, a Handmaid, as she attempts to remember her forgotten past and uncover the mysteries of what happened.

The Handmaid's Tale is a very unconventional and original novel, there's no doubt about that. It's my second Atwood book (after Alias Grace, which I really enjoyed) so I was quite excited to dig in.

This is not a book that you should read to be entertained, but rather, to be enlightened. There isn't any action, and there aren't any fast-paced or exciting events. However, that's not what the book is about. Atwood wrote this as a warning to all of us, to raise awareness about the repression of women in many societies that still exist today. In the Republic of Gilead, women are solely valued for their ovaries - and only if they're in good working order. They cannot work, make money, have relationships (whether friendly or romantic), or be educated. Sadly, we hear of these sorts of things still happening in this day and age. Certainly, The Handmaid's Tale is taken to the extreme, but, as Atwood says in the afterword, nothing included in her book hasn't already happened in history. And doesn't the saying go: "History always repeats itself"?

Another part of the book that I really enjoyed was Atwood's writing style as a whole. The simplicity of her narrative creates the feeling that we're listening to a real, average woman speaking. Here's a passage that stuck with me:

A window, two white curtains. Under the window, a window seat with a little cushion. When the window is partly open - it only opens partly - the air can come in and make the curtains move.

When she described the wind rustling the curtains as "make the curtains move", I was pleasantly surprised by that tiny detail. There's no need to over-describe things to sound like more of an author, and that's what I like about Atwood's writing. It's effortless and uncomplicated. Which, for me, packs more of a punch.

The Handmaid's Tale is an essential book containing many relevant themes and messages that are sometimes not talked about enough these days. It begs to be read by anyone and everyone.

Final verdict: Must-read! You might want to purchase this one and add it to your collection.

Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

Published: 1996
Pages: 500-ish
Genre: Historical Fiction

Set in the 1800s, Alias Grace is the story of a sixteen year-old Irish girl who immigrates to Canada to work. She ends up being employed at the home of a wealthy man, his maid and his stable boy. Grace gets tangled up in a web of greed, sexual desire, and two brutal murders that she might of helped commit. After these events, Grace is taken to various jails and penitentiaries to spend the rest of her life. It is unknown as to whether she committed these crimes due to Grace's inconvenient memory loss. Alias Grace is the eerie and chilling story inspired by the true events of this young girl's life.

This was my first Margaret Atwood novel and I think it sparked an interest for me in her writing! To be honest, I probably wouldn't have picked this one off the shelves on my own. I chose it for my English project at school (we had to read a Canadian novel) and I'm so thankful for that decision.

I think what really captured me about this book was the fact that it was based on actual events from Canadian history. I found Atwood's writing style to be very simple yet effective for this type of novel. I know that sounds cliche, but it's the only was to describe it! Grace's narrative was so innocent and it truly made you wonder if you can trust all that she says. Personally, I love it when you have to form your own opinion of the characters in a book; their life and personality isn't obviously displayed. Plus, it wasn't only Grace doing the talking - the point of view switched from her to Dr. Jordan, a doctor working with Grace. Atwood also included real sketches, poems, newspaper clipping and more to further emphasize the realness of the story and of the characters.

I highly recommend this book to those who don't crave action and adventure on every page. If you can fully get immersed in the story like I did, I guarantee that you'll find it very enjoyable. Alias Grace stayed in my thoughts long after I finished, and I believe that's the sign of a great book!

Final verdict: Must-read