This dystopic novel follows the life of Snowman (previously Jimmy, seemingly one of the few humans alive who watches over the Children of Crake after a virus has completely destroyed the human population. Along with pieces of humour (New York is now New New York)and the makings of a cautionary story, the book critiques a world which has let itself die out through the vast hopelessness of human nature.
The book follows Snowman as he watches the Children of Crake and reflects on how things came to be this way. Crake was a childhood friend who dreamed of making the world a better place. He was incredibly intelligent and knew it and Snowman reflects on how Crake came to design his perfect race after watching what he sees as the dismal parts of humanity. His "children" have no sex drive except to pro-create and do not eat animals. He also works for a company who makes a whole array of strange and futuristic animals. Oryx, seemingly the love of Snowman's life is a woman who comes from a third world country after being sold as a slave by a desperately poverty-stricken mother. Her open acceptance of her previous life and lack of regret or anger confuse Snowman throughout the book.
I didn't enjoy this book as much as a lot of Atwood's other books. It is similar to many of them in its dystopic element and its critique of humanity and it is told successfully though Snowman's eyes. However, it did not have the same prose I loved so much in several of Atwood's other books. A decent read with a stunning message though.
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