lauragarabedian's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Murder, Pedophilia, Trafficking, Excrement, Rape, Slavery, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, Medical content, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Animal death, Fatphobia, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Violence, and Addiction
cepbreed's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
“After everything that's happened, how can the world still be so beautiful? Because it is.”
All in all this story is confusing, the plot interweaving past and present in undefined ways and beginning entirely with loose ends. By the end of the book things start to come together, the apocalyptic event, the history of Jimmy and Oryx, the longer history of Jimmy and Crake and how he became involved with the Crakers. It's satisfying to finally rid yourself of the fog, but still, much is unclear. The plot builds at a slow hum, so there aren't many moments shocking and quick enough to make me gasp besides
Spoiler
the way Jimmy ends Crake's life. Crake became something entirely different to what I imagined, Jimmy too, I never believed that could've been possible.Spoiler
I had to go back to find those quotes to fully understand it, yet I'm still confused. I understand using a quote from his mother, but the quote from a work acquaintance? I get it's a display of Crake's manipulation (he always has a plan), but it would've been cooler to see a quote of his from when he was younger to show how much that connection means to him.Graphic: Alcohol, Genocide, Pedophilia, Abandonment, Death, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Colonisation, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Murder, Sexual harassment, Slavery, and Trafficking
Minor: Infertility, Toxic friendship, and Infidelity