Oryx and Crake makes me want to know more about this world! I liked Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake better the second time around. I remember the first time reading it thinking that the beginning dragged. I did not think that this time. Maybe I've changed as a reader. I really enjoyed reconnecting with Jimmy/Snowman, Crake and Oryx. I liked being reminded of what the Crakers were like. I liked the glimpses of Amanda and Ren (and Bernice!). I liked being reminded of what Snowman thought of the smoke and the people around it. I am more excited to read MaddAddam than I was before. It was just what I needed before diving in. I'm a little sad that I didn't give myself enough time to re-read The Year of the Flood, but I considered it a more recent read, though it was still a few year ago that I read it. I remember it pretty clearly, but maybe one day I'll re-read the entire trilogy.
I like the way time shifts through the novel. It has a fluidity, as it follows Snowman's thoughts. Jimmy's time with Oryx was intriguing, then getting to know Crake and back to Oryx. Oryx is such an enigmatic character. I'd like to know more about what she really thinks. I think the best glimpse at her inner workings comes at the end of the novel. She is so dismissive about everything that has happened to her, everything that Jimmy is outraged about; is it because she is trying to forget or it all seemed normal to her? Jimmy and Crake were also interesting in the way they developed and changed through the course of events.
I could really go on and on about how much I enjoyed my re-read of Oryx and Crake. Beyond just being immersed in an amazing story, Oryx and Crake has, for me, validated re-reading. I never used to re-read; I always thought that there were too many unread books for me to take the time to go back and read ones I already knew. Then a couple years ago, I decided I should revisit some old favourites, I had to make sure the reason they were so loved still held. Re-reading Oryx and Crake has been my best re-reading experience thus far (even better than Their Eyes Were Watching God, which I loved). I can honestly say I liked it better the second time, I feel closer to the characters and I'm ready to read the final book in the series.
I got an e-copy of this from the library last week. I read 20 pages and then immediately ordered by own proper copy online, it was that good. This book is going to be a keeper!
ReplyDeleteI can definitely see myself reading this again. It's such an amazing book. How far have you read?
DeleteI may need to reread Year of the Flood. While I really enjoyed Oryx and Crake, I really didn't enjoy the follow-up— to the point where I didn't even plan on reading Maddaddam until I heard that some of it is set in Whitehorse.
ReplyDeleteI remember you not liking Year of the Flood. When I read it, I would have said I liked it better than Oryx and Crake, but after this re-read, I think this book is better. Who knows what I'll think after I read MadAddam (which I plan on starting in about 30 mins. )
DeleteI read this book last year (sadly, not in English - so I think it requires a re-read) and it was cool and creepy at the same time (I mean those fabricated chicked food products - uggh! I couldn't eat chicken for a while...)
ReplyDeleteI also discovered the charms of re-read this year, after re-reads of The Master and Margarita and One Hundred Years of Solitude, both of which left me with "meh" in high school and now I was like THESE BOOKS ARE SO GOOD! :)
Ya, there are a lot of genetically modified...everything in the novel.
DeleteI think I plan on re-reading at least 2 books a year, maybe more depending on my mood. I think perspective changes as you get older too. There are a couple high school books I'd definitely like to re-read.