Margaret Atwood explains that this book is not an example of sci-fiction. This is what she calls "speculative fiction": stories that can happen in the near future. Atwood says that many of these experiments in the bio department are taking place right now. Creepy right?
At the beginning of the story we find Jimmy-TheSnowman who thinks he is the only one who survives a plague that anihilate all humankind. He is mourning for Crake, who used to be his best friend, and for Oryx, Crake's girlfriend who he also had a relationship with. He lives by the sea and near him live "The Children of Crake", green-eyed genetic-engineeried new species which is to replace humans. They have anti-insect and sunblock incorporated in their bodies, and they copulate seasonly, some parts of their bodies turn blue so males know when females are in heat.
With the images of this apocaliptic world, we get Jimmy's memories of his boyhood alongside Crake and their lives in the compounds controlled by the Corporations. Jimmy decides to move into the desolate city to find some answers, being careful because of the pigoons. They are pigs but with human-like brains that after the chaos following the plague, get loose from the labs and roam the countryside. As consequence, they are able to ambush their victims, using one of the little ones as a decoy and the grown ups attacking from the other side. The times before the plague were full of genetic manipulation experiments, beings the Crakers the ultimate project.
Atwood shows the possible ending of humankind, and that its end is not the conclusive chapter of life on earth. We are just another animal, beings who destroy themselves looking for new ways to become gods.
Ana Ovejero
mail: ana.ovejero@gmail.com
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