Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

12 reviews

cepbreed's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• 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

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.

The last page, the last few lines even were so amazing, so artfully done. 

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.

The commentary made here is worthwhile and definitely inline with Atwood's reputation, I wish I had introduced myself to her earlier. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Genocide, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Classism

Minor: Infertility, Infidelity, and Toxic friendship

zgc's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Fucking brutal, but holds up extremely well. Character writing is well observed and sharp, recurring motifs of speech chart changing relationships. Humor and wit are peppered throughout, but the book never feels like it's trying to be too clever or undercut its tone. Hell of a thing to read in 2021

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Pedophilia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Trafficking, and Medical trauma

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, and Murder