This sets the scene - an apocalyptic Earth where a pandemic has laid waste to much of the population. Survivors include the ecologically minded God's Gardeners, the more confrontational MaddAddamites, and the Children of Crake, (Crakers), a human-like species designed by Crake to be without greed or hate, (but with in-built sunscreen and insect repellent), to replace power-hungry destructive humans. There are also several hybrids including liobams, pigoons, and Mo'Hairs.
Atwood's imagination is phenomenal, both in the scope and detail of this new world. CorpSeCorps are like Big Brother, and there is a cruel and powerful underworld of evil despots that our heroes need to infiltrate, use or avoid at various times. Everyday life is quite different, and can focus on finding a coffee substitute, or an iron for linen napkins gleaned from deserted shops.
As the second book, The Year of the Flood, was mainly the tale of Toby, a once high-ranking (female) Eve in God's Gardeners, this is mainly Zeb's tale, leader of the MaddAddamites, and brother of Adam One, leader of God's Gardeners. The best reading is in his back-stories - his unfortunate upbringing, how he and Adam escaped home, and his exploits in diverse parts of North America as he battles with and against various demons.
Humour comes in the way Toby retells these stories to the Crakers, who are as fresh and frustrating as 4-year-olds. Toby needs to pander to their spiritual side, (invoking Oryx and Crake), and routines, (donning a Red Sox cap and eating fish), before each story, as Snowman-the-Jimmy used to do before being in a coma. Toby explains phrases such as ''death of me'' and ''suck it up''. Jimmy's swearing is dealt with inventively. The Crakers also have the ability to heal or soothe by ''purring'', and an annoying compulsion to sing frequently, but they can communicate with the pigoons, vital to the success of a combined mission.
Toby seems to over-think everything, coming across as more needy in this book, but is strong and steadfast when she has to be, and, in a way, gets the final word. The ending may not be entirely satisfactory, after not a lot of forward-moving plot, but the enjoyment is in Atwood's wonderful storytelling. She can intricately depict a time and place for her characters, and carry you there.
- Rachel Gurney is an avid Dunedin reader.
