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Oh, how I loved MaddAddam, the conclusion to Margaret Atwood’s series of books that began with Oryx and Crake. It had been awhile since I read the other two and I was a little worried my memory would be fuzzy. It was fuzzy on the details, which is a shame because the details are so very good. But for the big picture, I did okay especially since there is a lovely synopsis of the first two books helpfully provided at the start of MaddAddam
If you have read the first two books you will know that they both end at the same place. The story in Oryx and Crake and Year of the Flood take place during the same time period but are just told from two different points of view, the insider view of Jimmy and the outsider view of Toby and God’s Gardeners. MaddAddam starts right where the first two end. Our narrator, once again is Toby, a member of the God’s Gardener group, late thirties to early forties, and one resilient woman. I love Toby. I often like characters in books, though it is never a requirement, however, I rarely love them or identify with them. But Toby, sometimes I thought, if things were different, I could totally be her. I’d want to be her. Or her best friend. We could pull weeds in the garden together and talk to the bees. We’d get on really well.
Here is an easy, non-spoiler way to tell you what the book is about:
There’s the story, then there’s the real story, then there’s the story of how the story came to be told. Then there’s what you leave out of the story. Which is part of the story too.
All of these things are woven seamlessly throughout the book and you can see it all unfolding, and it is a wonderful and amazing thing. I didn’t notice them right away, but when it started to dawn on me what was going on it greatly increased my pleasure.
And then there is Atwood’s humor. I laughed out loud so many times, especially once the helpful Fuck was introduced. When you call out “Oh Fuck!” he rushes immediately to your aid. Toby had to make up a story about Fuck for the Crakers, the bioengineered and completely innocent humans created to populate the earth after a plague designed to kill the rest of the humans was unleashed on the world. Believe me, it’s a hoot. In fact, many of the interactions between the human humans and the Crakers are funny.
Given the end of the world as we know it scenario the book plays out you’d think it might be depressing. While there are deadly serious parts of the story, the book ends on a hopeful note. No, humans and the world will never be the same again, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
One of the scary things about the series of books though is that Atwood based everything in them on real technology and real-world events. She may have taken some of it beyond what is currently possible, but she does it in a logical way so the reader isn’t left thinking, “No way! That’s impossible!” You can see the seeds of much of it in her Flipboard MaddAddam’s World.
I am sad the series is done, I enjoyed it so much. I plan to read it all again sometime, one after the other, instead of having to wait a few years in between. Meanwhile, I look forward to finding out what’s up her sleeve for her next book.
I’m glad you loved it. The character of Fuck and his invocation are hilarious indeed.
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Jeanne, it was a real treat. One of those smart thoughtful books with a good story that doesn’t seem to come along very often.
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I looked at this in the library this afternoon but I read “Oryx and Crake’ when it first came out and haven’t read ‘The Year of the Flood’ so it would be rather pointless. I think I am going to wait until I have a space where I can read ‘O&C’ again and then take the other two one after the other.
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Alex, you definitely need to read Year of the Flood first otherwise you won’t know what’s going on since this books pulls those two together. I think reading them all together is a good call. When you get to them, I hope you enjoy them!
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I have the first two books on hand and plan on pulling out the first after the holidays to read in anticipation of Atwood’s visit to Omaha in April–I can’t wait and hope to have them all read by then. I went through a big Margaret Atwood phase at one time and she is one author I will happily read and reread and reread–it’s been way too long since I have picked up any of her books however. So glad you liked this–looks like I am in for a treat!
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Danielle, I forgot Atwood was coming to Omaha! The three books would be great to read before her visit since I am sure she will be talking about them. I almost wrote my English lit thesis on Atwood but went for my favorite poet instead, so Atwood will always have a special place in my heart.
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Suppose I will have to begin at the beginning. I’ve been up and down with Atwood–love some, not others.
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Jen, you might like these since they are SF though Atwood refuses that label. Liked Oryx and Crake ok but I really liked Year of the Flood and loved this last one. So if the first book doesn’t make you say wow, don’t give up, since you garden I think the second and third books will be appealing to you.
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I have been meaning to read the entire series now that the last book has come out. It’s a project for 2014 perhaps
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Nish, that sounds like a good project to me! I hope you enjoy them when you read them π
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Ok, I’ve got to read this to meet this F – character! π
I still have the first two books sitting on my shelves. Must read!
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Iliana, the F_ character is hilarious. He shows up about halfway through and pops up a number of times right up to the end. I worried that it was going to get old or silly but Atwood pulled it off, at least I think she did. The books are great, they make you think, they tell a good story, and they make you laugh. I hope you enjoy them when you read them!
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Oh, Fuck, she totally pulls it off! I finally found time to finish reading it this evening, what a delight. “Please stop singing,” made me laugh every time. I’m hoping Atwood decides there are more stories to be told about this world.
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Isabella, oh I am so glad you finished it and loved it! I laughed every time at the “please stop singing” too! Like you I wouldn’t mind is she wrote more stories in that world.
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Atwood!
Definitely one of my favorite writers. I recently gave this book [MaddAddam] as a gift to my Reading Partner and soon we shall be on it, and your review makes me quite anticipatory to get started. I really liked the first two of the Trilogy.
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Cip, Oh I am so excited you will be reading this soon! You are going to love it. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it π
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