Compelling and thought provoking story, 03 Nov 2008
An incredible story that is difficult to describe in a short few sentences. It was certainly a very thought provoking book and I really wanted to discuss it with someone else (excellent choice for a book club!). I was unsure about the ending but on reflection it fits well with the rest of the book and allows for the reader to ponder the story well after finishing reading. Dystopian fiction is not for everyone but if you are at all interested in this genre then this is a brilliant example. Once I'd finished this book I went straight out and bought "Oryx and Crake" - another dystopian story by Atwood.

It doesn't matter what you feel, it only matters how you behave, 23 Sep 2008
What a wonderful book, written in the style of 1984 and Kazuo Ishiguro's Never let me go. I find Margaret Atwood's books hard to put down once I have started them, and cannot believe I only discovered her this year. I didn't read the notes at the end, as I thought they would ruin the chilling atmosphere set by the rest of the book. Moira is one of the best characters for me; she brings a little humour to the situation which is sorely needed. A great read.

How to do theocratic dystopia..., 12 Aug 2008
A truly great book, particular for those who have cold feet about Speculative Fiction (aka Sci Fi). A post-apocalyptic take on loss, resistance, feminism and social order of the patriarchal kind, The Handmaid's Tale avoids both cliche and the pretensions that can often plague even the best of novels with political undertows. I can think of few books which so well capture the sense of radical transformation and dislocation that must come with what someone once called the 'orgasms of history', those decisive events that change utterly social structures and somehow drag individuals along with them, even though people remain dominated by much the same loves and hopes they always were. The evocations of ritual, ceremony and punishment are particularly disturbing and resonant, even viscerally so. And, despite creating a deeply believable metaphor both for those changes that have been and those yet to come, Atwood also accomplishes the 'page turner' quality usually reserved for shallow thrillers. Just shy of being a masterpiece.

A thoroughly satisfying read, 07 Aug 2008
Possibly inspired by Islamic revolutions of the late 1970's - Atwood re-imagines American society in the grip an ultra-conservative, theocracy.
Under this regime, biblical scripture is used to justify hierarchical polygamy. High-caste 'Wives' govern biologically-fertile 'handmaids'- kept purely for procreative breeding, these 'handmaids' are sober, pious and nun-like - but they retain the dangerous allure of 'scarlet women' ... being parodoxically both entrapped and yet empowered by their vital role as surrogate mothers.
This is a post-feminist and matriarchal, but rigidly controlled and totalitarian society. It is NOT a cliched 'post-apocalyptic' story,(as the last reviewer erroneously claimed.) It is, however, one possible direction into which modern western societies may be presently regressing. It is a gritty, multi-layered tale, but it is largely about religious ideology as a form of social control.
The story is told with such a sense of exquisite clarity. The sheer pace and mood had me enthralled! It is a vivid, lucid tale, yet richly shrewd and astute. I particularly love the way in which the plot is tantalisingly 'strip-teased' - by flowing back and forth between the present (future) and past (present) Convincingly realistic, profoundly haunting and richly stimulating ... a thoroughly satisfying read!!

Love this book!, 22 Jul 2008
I read this novel for the first time last week and I loved it!! I couldn't put it down!!

In 1975, in an unidentified Indian city, Mrs Dina Dalal, a financially pressed Parsi widow in her early 40s sets up a sweatshop of sorts in her ramshackle apartment. Determined to remain financially independent and to avoid a second marriage, she takes in a boarder and two Hindu tailors to sew dresses for an export company. As the four share their stories, then meals, then living space, human kinship prevails and the four become a kind of family, despite the lines of caste, class and religion. When tragedy strikes, their cherished, newfound stability is threatened, and each character must face a difficult choice in trying to salvage their relationships.

Compelling and thought provoking story, 03 Nov 2008
An incredible story that is difficult to describe in a short few sentences. It was certainly a very thought provoking book and I really wanted to discuss it with someone else (excellent choice for a book club!). I was unsure about the ending but on reflection it fits well with the rest of the book and allows for the reader to ponder the story well after finishing reading. Dystopian fiction is not for everyone but if you are at all interested in this genre then this is a brilliant example. Once I'd finished this book I went straight out and bought "Oryx and Crake" - another dystopian story by Atwood.

It doesn't matter what you feel, it only matters how you behave, 23 Sep 2008
What a wonderful book, written in the style of 1984 and Kazuo Ishiguro's Never let me go. I find Margaret Atwood's books hard to put down once I have started them, and cannot believe I only discovered her this year. I didn't read the notes at the end, as I thought they would ruin the chilling atmosphere set by the rest of the book. Moira is one of the best characters for me; she brings a little humour to the situation which is sorely needed. A great read.

How to do theocratic dystopia..., 12 Aug 2008
A truly great book, particular for those who have cold feet about Speculative Fiction (aka Sci Fi). A post-apocalyptic take on loss, resistance, feminism and social order of the patriarchal kind, The Handmaid's Tale avoids both cliche and the pretensions that can often plague even the best of novels with political undertows. I can think of few books which so well capture the sense of radical transformation and dislocation that must come with what someone once called the 'orgasms of history', those decisive events that change utterly social structures and somehow drag individuals along with them, even though people remain dominated by much the same loves and hopes they always were. The evocations of ritual, ceremony and punishment are particularly disturbing and resonant, even viscerally so. And, despite creating a deeply believable metaphor both for those changes that have been and those yet to come, Atwood also accomplishes the 'page turner' quality usually reserved for shallow thrillers. Just shy of being a masterpiece.

A thoroughly satisfying read, 07 Aug 2008
Possibly inspired by Islamic revolutions of the late 1970's - Atwood re-imagines American society in the grip an ultra-conservative, theocracy.
Under this regime, biblical scripture is used to justify hierarchical polygamy. High-caste 'Wives' govern biologically-fertile 'handmaids'- kept purely for procreative breeding, these 'handmaids' are sober, pious and nun-like - but they retain the dangerous allure of 'scarlet women' ... being parodoxically both entrapped and yet empowered by their vital role as surrogate mothers.
This is a post-feminist and matriarchal, but rigidly controlled and totalitarian society. It is NOT a cliched 'post-apocalyptic' story,(as the last reviewer erroneously claimed.) It is, however, one possible direction into which modern western societies may be presently regressing. It is a gritty, multi-layered tale, but it is largely about religious ideology as a form of social control.
The story is told with such a sense of exquisite clarity. The sheer pace and mood had me enthralled! It is a vivid, lucid tale, yet richly shrewd and astute. I particularly love the way in which the plot is tantalisingly 'strip-teased' - by flowing back and forth between the present (future) and past (present) Convincingly realistic, profoundly haunting and richly stimulating ... a thoroughly satisfying read!!

Love this book!, 22 Jul 2008
I read this novel for the first time last week and I loved it!! I couldn't put it down!!

Fabulous!, 20 Oct 2008
Excellent book. The best read I have had for many years - couldn't put it down.

My favourite book, 14 Oct 2008
This is the book I recommend to every one of my friends. It is utterly beautiful, tragic and yet hopeful. I grew to love the characters and found the way Mistry conveys the complexity of human relationships wonderfully satisfying.

What the Dickens, 15 Aug 2008
As another reviewer has already said, Rohinton Mistry has echoed Dickens in this book. It is a social commentary about how well-meaning political decisions have a huge impact on the ordinary people. I read this after being badgered to by my godmother, and I am really glad that she kept on at me until i did.
It is at times an uncomfortable read - it highlights caste violence, government-backed brutality and extreme poverty, without ever sensationalising any of it. It is also, believe it or not, humourous, gentle and touching at the same time as being absolutely tragic and harrowing. the characters are beautifully fleshed-out, and the sights, smells and tastes of India are there as you read. I was so engrossed in the characters that I desperately wanted a happy ending for them all.

Whilst reading, it was sometimes hard to believe that this book is set in relatively modern times - the 70s - so cruel and astonishing are some of the incidents it relates. When I finished, I looked around at my home and children and realised exactly how fortunate I am. Not life-changing perhaps, but profoundly moving and unforgettable.


Beautiful book, 12 Aug 2008
This book is really beautiful - and one of my all time favourite novels.

Whilst it is sad, the characters also have a good sense of humour and find comfort in their unlikely friendship with each other.

I think it is also an interesting exploration of how well-meaning political decisions can have a significant impact on the individual.


A work of art, 02 Aug 2008
This is an unbelievably fabulous book. I am not going to write a long review as I do not know how to find the words to do the book justice. I've passed it on to several friends and I can't wait for them to finish reading it so I can discuss it with them.
It is very rare to read a book when the characters come alive for you. I felt I knew these characters and I began dreaming about them and thinking about them during everyday life.
The themes and issues dealt with by Mistry have changed the way I view the world and have had a huge impact upon my outlook. I cried several times during my reading of the book and had to put it aside for some hours before I could continue reading.
The ending is shocking and will stay with me forever.
I highly recommend reading this book but please be prepared for the impact it will have upon you.
Rohinton Mistry, in my view, is one of the finest writers of our day.

Compelling and thought provoking story, 03 Nov 2008
An incredible story that is difficult to describe in a short few sentences. It was certainly a very thought provoking book and I really wanted to discuss it with someone else (excellent choice for a book club!). I was unsure about the ending but on reflection it fits well with the rest of the book and allows for the reader to ponder the story well after finishing reading. Dystopian fiction is not for everyone but if you are at all interested in this genre then this is a brilliant example. Once I'd finished this book I went straight out and bought "Oryx and Crake" - another dystopian story by Atwood.

It doesn't matter what you feel, it only matters how you behave, 23 Sep 2008
What a wonderful book, written in the style of 1984 and Kazuo Ishiguro's Never let me go. I find Margaret Atwood's books hard to put down once I have started them, and cannot believe I only discovered her this year. I didn't read the notes at the end, as I thought they would ruin the chilling atmosphere set by the rest of the book. Moira is one of the best characters for me; she brings a little humour to the situation which is sorely needed. A great read.

How to do theocratic dystopia..., 12 Aug 2008
A truly great book, particular for those who have cold feet about Speculative Fiction (aka Sci Fi). A post-apocalyptic take on loss, resistance, feminism and social order of the patriarchal kind, The Handmaid's Tale avoids both cliche and the pretensions that can often plague even the best of novels with political undertows. I can think of few books which so well capture the sense of radical transformation and dislocation that must come with what someone once called the 'orgasms of history', those decisive events that change utterly social structures and somehow drag individuals along with them, even though people remain dominated by much the same loves and hopes they always were. The evocations of ritual, ceremony and punishment are particularly disturbing and resonant, even viscerally so. And, despite creating a deeply believable metaphor both for those changes that have been and those yet to come, Atwood also accomplishes the 'page turner' quality usually reserved for shallow thrillers. Just shy of being a masterpiece.

A thoroughly satisfying read, 07 Aug 2008
Possibly inspired by Islamic revolutions of the late 1970's - Atwood re-imagines American society in the grip an ultra-conservative, theocracy.
Under this regime, biblical scripture is used to justify hierarchical polygamy. High-caste 'Wives' govern biologically-fertile 'handmaids'- kept purely for procreative breeding, these 'handmaids' are sober, pious and nun-like - but they retain the dangerous allure of 'scarlet women' ... being parodoxically both entrapped and yet empowered by their vital role as surrogate mothers.
This is a post-feminist and matriarchal, but rigidly controlled and totalitarian society. It is NOT a cliched 'post-apocalyptic' story,(as the last reviewer erroneously claimed.) It is, however, one possible direction into which modern western societies may be presently regressing. It is a gritty, multi-layered tale, but it is largely about religious ideology as a form of social control.
The story is told with such a sense of exquisite clarity. The sheer pace and mood had me enthralled! It is a vivid, lucid tale, yet richly shrewd and astute. I particularly love the way in which the plot is tantalisingly 'strip-teased' - by flowing back and forth between the present (future) and past (present) Convincingly realistic, profoundly haunting and richly stimulating ... a thoroughly satisfying read!!

Love this book!, 22 Jul 2008
I read this novel for the first time last week and I loved it!! I couldn't put it down!!

Fabulous!, 20 Oct 2008
Excellent book. The best read I have had for many years - couldn't put it down.

My favourite book, 14 Oct 2008
This is the book I recommend to every one of my friends. It is utterly beautiful, tragic and yet hopeful. I grew to love the characters and found the way Mistry conveys the complexity of human relationships wonderfully satisfying.

What the Dickens, 15 Aug 2008
As another reviewer has already said, Rohinton Mistry has echoed Dickens in this book. It is a social commentary about how well-meaning political decisions have a huge impact on the ordinary people. I read this after being badgered to by my godmother, and I am really glad that she kept on at me until i did.
It is at times an uncomfortable read - it highlights caste violence, government-backed brutality and extreme poverty, without ever sensationalising any of it. It is also, believe it or not, humourous, gentle and touching at the same time as being absolutely tragic and harrowing. the characters are beautifully fleshed-out, and the sights, smells and tastes of India are there as you read. I was so engrossed in the characters that I desperately wanted a happy ending for them all.

Whilst reading, it was sometimes hard to believe that this book is set in relatively modern times - the 70s - so cruel and astonishing are some of the incidents it relates. When I finished, I looked around at my home and children and realised exactly how fortunate I am. Not life-changing perhaps, but profoundly moving and unforgettable.


Beautiful book, 12 Aug 2008
This book is really beautiful - and one of my all time favourite novels.

Whilst it is sad, the characters also have a good sense of humour and find comfort in their unlikely friendship with each other.

I think it is also an interesting exploration of how well-meaning political decisions can have a significant impact on the individual.


A work of art, 02 Aug 2008
This is an unbelievably fabulous book. I am not going to write a long review as I do not know how to find the words to do the book justice. I've passed it on to several friends and I can't wait for them to finish reading it so I can discuss it with them.
It is very rare to read a book when the characters come alive for you. I felt I knew these characters and I began dreaming about them and thinking about them during everyday life.
The themes and issues dealt with by Mistry have changed the way I view the world and have had a huge impact upon my outlook. I cried several times during my reading of the book and had to put it aside for some hours before I could continue reading.
The ending is shocking and will stay with me forever.
I highly recommend reading this book but please be prepared for the impact it will have upon you.
Rohinton Mistry, in my view, is one of the finest writers of our day.



Pseudo-intellectual drivel, 25 Sep 2008
I was sent a copy of this book by my sister who knows I like science fiction. However I only like science fiction written by people who like science fiction, not people who sneer at the genre yet don't mind using it for the purposes of semi-political polemic.

If you are a member of the self obsessed literati who reads a book because you like to look clever in front of your peers you will enjoy this (after your fashion). If you want to read a decent story, try something else. Anything else.

Utter tripe of the highest order

The book is way too short, 16 Sep 2008
As with any really good story, when you live it you don't want it to end. For me the only criticism of this book is that it is too short. I would have loved to have read more about Snowman's exploration of the deserted streets in the pleeblands and the Rejoov compound. I would also like to read more about his encounter with those he meets at the end of the book (trying not to give much away here) and how things ultimately develop. The ending is crying out for a sequel although it is a common strategy to leave the reader wanting more, asking questions, pondering how the story might develop further, I would like to know Margeret's thoughts on how she personally saw things panning out.
For those interested in human development and how humans may evelove then I recommend Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon. Oryx and Crake can be seen as a tiny sub story from Olaf's book.


Welcome to the new world Snowman..., 14 Sep 2008
'Oryx and Crake' tells the story of Jimmy, who is now known as Snowman, a name he has given himself. Snowman is the only survivor of a virus, a virus created by Snowman's friend, Crake (his real name is Glenn).

After the virus, Snowman now lives in a tree, (Snowman survived the virus because unknown to him, Crake had been giving him the vaccination for the virus) and is responsible for Crake's children, species which Crake created, they are the perfect being, they have been created without the basic human need to quarrel, etc, they mate and they exist.

'Oryx and Crake' explores many ideas that are currently being discussed now, genetically modified animals, in Oryx and Crake, they are called 'Pigoons', Pigs whose DNA has been spliced with human genetic information and they were engineered to grow multiple organs for transplants, but now, they roam the land, packs of Pigoons which Snowman avoids.

In 'Oryx and Crake', Margaret Atwood highlights Snowman's isolation well, he may have the Children of Crake but Snowman is a different specie to them, they look at him with interest and feed him fish on a weekly basis, they only interact with him when they want to hear stories of Oryx and Crake. Snowman is a brilliant character but a jaded one, he tries to do the best that he can, while at the same time living with the voice of his former lover, Oryx, who torments him on a daily basis. Oryx was also the former teacher of Crake's children.

'Oryx and Crake' explores a world which has now changed, it highlights Snowman's isolation, frustration, confusion brilliantly but at the same time endears Snowman to the reader, you will feel genuinely sorry for Snowman. The book makes you think and I could not help thinking at the end of the book that humans are their own worse enemy.

Rating: 10/10

An intelligent and satirical vision of the future of humanity, 25 Apr 2008
"Oryx and Crake" is the eleventh novel by celebrated author Margaret Atwood. The man who calls himself 'Snowman' is the last survivor in a future Earth in which the human race has been mysteriously wiped out. Struggling to sustain himself in an alien world, his only remaining companions are the rakunks and wolvogs - genetically-engineered hybrid animals - and the Children of Crake, a race of modified humans. But Snowman also remembers a time before, when homo sapiens still ruled the world, when he was known not as Snowman but as Jimmy, and when events conspired to cause a global catastrophe.

The novel is told through two timeframes: the first following Snowman in his day-by-day struggle to survive; and the second (which forms the bulk of the story) tracing Jimmy's childhood and adolescence through some unspecified time in our own near future. Atwood's portrayal of the heavily-traumatised, guilt-ridden mentality of such a survivor is handled well. Similarly, Jimmy's eccentric and ultra-intelligent childhood friend Glenn (more commonly known throughout the book by his nickname, 'Crake') is well-drawn and holds the reader's interest whenever he appears. On the other hand, the character of Oryx is never fully realised and it is difficult to understand the fascination and desire that Jimmy has for her.

The plot develops slowly and some patience is required of the reader - at least in the early stages - although both pace and suspense build rapidly in the second half, as the novel moves towards its climax. Generally, however, while the two worlds of present and past are interesting, there are few surprises for the reader in the way the plot develops. There are tantalising hints that other homo sapiens survivors may exist in the aftermath of the catastrophe, but these are never followed up on; indeed, for most of the book Snowman himself - frustratingly for the reader - shows little interest in these signs.

The issues of genetically-modified (GM) foods, and the potential to create so-called 'designer babies' have generated a huge amount of debate over the last decade and more. What Atwood has done in "Oryx and Crake" is to take a number of ideas considered plausible in current bioscience and to follow them through to the most extreme outcomes imaginable. In the dystopian future that she presents us with, scientists have mastered the techniques of genetic modification, able to create hybrid organisms and radically alter the genomes of animals at a whim, to suit the needs of human consumption. Indeed in many ways this is a book about what it means to be alive, and what it means to be human: from dealing with the potential effects of scientists 'playing God' with our genetic code, to the imagined implications of abandoning art, faith and compassion in favour of hyper-rationalism.

Imaginative, intelligent and satirical, "Oryx and Crake" is a thought-provoking read, as well as a timely reminder of the human race's terrifying capability to devastate its environment and engineer its own demise.

A bleak vision of the future of mankind ..., 12 Apr 2008
Not her best, (I'd pick The Handmaid's Tale), but certainly readable and a truly thought-provoking comment on modern society's excesses and one vision of what could happen.
I did find it hard to engage with the characters - you can sympathise with Snowman's predicament, but you couldn't like him very much. Most of all, I had hoped it would lighten up by the end... there was no more than the faintest glimmer of hope for humankind that I could see. But then that would be using a tried and trusted SF formula which is not Atwood's style!

Compelling and thought provoking story, 03 Nov 2008
An incredible story that is difficult to describe in a short few sentences. It was certainly a very thought provoking book and I really wanted to discuss it with someone else (excellent choice for a book club!). I was unsure about the ending but on reflection it fits well with the rest of the book and allows for the reader to ponder the story well after finishing reading. Dystopian fiction is not for everyone but if you are at all interested in this genre then this is a brilliant example. Once I'd finished this book I went straight out and bought "Oryx and Crake" - another dystopian story by Atwood.

It doesn't matter what you feel, it only matters how you behave, 23 Sep 2008
What a wonderful book, written in the style of 1984 and Kazuo Ishiguro's Never let me go. I find Margaret Atwood's books hard to put down once I have started them, and cannot believe I only discovered her this year. I didn't read the notes at the end, as I thought they would ruin the chilling atmosphere set by the rest of the book. Moira is one of the best characters for me; she brings a little humour to the situation which is sorely needed. A great read.

How to do theocratic dystopia..., 12 Aug 2008
A truly great book, particular for those who have cold feet about Speculative Fiction (aka Sci Fi). A post-apocalyptic take on loss, resistance, feminism and social order of the patriarchal kind, The Handmaid's Tale avoids both cliche and the pretensions that can often plague even the best of novels with political undertows. I can think of few books which so well capture the sense of radical transformation and dislocation that must come with what someone once called the 'orgasms of history', those decisive events that change utterly social structures and somehow drag individuals along with them, even though people remain dominated by much the same loves and hopes they always were. The evocations of ritual, ceremony and punishment are particularly disturbing and resonant, even viscerally so. And, despite creating a deeply believable metaphor both for those changes that have been and those yet to come, Atwood also accomplishes the 'page turner' quality usually reserved for shallow thrillers. Just shy of being a masterpiece.

A thoroughly satisfying read, 07 Aug 2008
Possibly inspired by Islamic revolutions of the late 1970's - Atwood re-imagines American society in the grip an ultra-conservative, theocracy.
Under this regime, biblical scripture is used to justify hierarchical polygamy. High-caste 'Wives' govern biologically-fertile 'handmaids'- kept purely for procreative breeding, these 'handmaids' are sober, pious and nun-like - but they retain the dangerous allure of 'scarlet women' ... being parodoxically both entrapped and yet empowered by their vital role as surrogate mothers.
This is a post-feminist and matriarchal, but rigidly controlled and totalitarian society. It is NOT a cliched 'post-apocalyptic' story,(as the last reviewer erroneously claimed.) It is, however, one possible direction into which modern western societies may be presently regressing. It is a gritty, multi-layered tale, but it is largely about religious ideology as a form of social control.
The story is told with such a sense of exquisite clarity. The sheer pace and mood had me enthralled! It is a vivid, lucid tale, yet richly shrewd and astute. I particularly love the way in which the plot is tantalisingly 'strip-teased' - by flowing back and forth between the present (future) and past (present) Convincingly realistic, profoundly haunting and richly stimulating ... a thoroughly satisfying read!!

Love this book!, 22 Jul 2008
I read this novel for the first time last week and I loved it!! I couldn't put it down!!

Fabulous!, 20 Oct 2008
Excellent book. The best read I have had for many years - couldn't put it down.

My favourite book, 14 Oct 2008
This is the book I recommend to every one of my friends. It is utterly beautiful, tragic and yet hopeful. I grew to love the characters and found the way Mistry conveys the complexity of human relationships wonderfully satisfying.

What the Dickens, 15 Aug 2008
As another reviewer has already said, Rohinton Mistry has echoed Dickens in this book. It is a social commentary about how well-meaning political decisions have a huge impact on the ordinary people. I read this after being badgered to by my godmother, and I am really glad that she kept on at me until i did.
It is at times an uncomfortable read - it highlights caste violence, government-backed brutality and extreme poverty, without ever sensationalising any of it. It is also, believe it or not, humourous, gentle and touching at the same time as being absolutely tragic and harrowing. the characters are beautifully fleshed-out, and the sights, smells and tastes of India are there as you read. I was so engrossed in the characters that I desperately wanted a happy ending for them all.

Whilst reading, it was sometimes hard to believe that this book is set in relatively modern times - the 70s - so cruel and astonishing are some of the incidents it relates. When I finished, I looked around at my home and children and realised exactly how fortunate I am. Not life-changing perhaps, but profoundly moving and unforgettable.


Beautiful book, 12 Aug 2008
This book is really beautiful - and one of my all time favourite novels.

Whilst it is sad, the characters also have a good sense of humour and find comfort in their unlikely friendship with each other.

I think it is also an interesting exploration of how well-meaning political decisions can have a significant impact on the individual.


A work of art, 02 Aug 2008
This is an unbelievably fabulous book. I am not going to write a long review as I do not know how to find the words to do the book justice. I've passed it on to several friends and I can't wait for them to finish reading it so I can discuss it with them.
It is very rare to read a book when the characters come alive for you. I felt I knew these characters and I began dreaming about them and thinking about them during everyday life.
The themes and issues dealt with by Mistry have changed the way I view the world and have had a huge impact upon my outlook. I cried several times during my reading of the book and had to put it aside for some hours before I could continue reading.
The ending is shocking and will stay with me forever.
I highly recommend reading this book but please be prepared for the impact it will have upon you.
Rohinton Mistry, in my view, is one of the finest writers of our day.



Pseudo-intellectual drivel, 25 Sep 2008
I was sent a copy of this book by my sister who knows I like science fiction. However I only like science fiction written by people who like science fiction, not people who sneer at the genre yet don't mind using it for the purposes of semi-political polemic.

If you are a member of the self obsessed literati who reads a book because you like to look clever in front of your peers you will enjoy this (after your fashion). If you want to read a decent story, try something else. Anything else.

Utter tripe of the highest order

The book is way too short, 16 Sep 2008
As with any really good story, when you live it you don't want it to end. For me the only criticism of this book is that it is too short. I would have loved to have read more about Snowman's exploration of the deserted streets in the pleeblands and the Rejoov compound. I would also like to read more about his encounter with those he meets at the end of the book (trying not to give much away here) and how things ultimately develop. The ending is crying out for a sequel although it is a common strategy to leave the reader wanting more, asking questions, pondering how the story might develop further, I would like to know Margeret's thoughts on how she personally saw things panning out.
For those interested in human development and how humans may evelove then I recommend Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon. Oryx and Crake can be seen as a tiny sub story from Olaf's book.


Welcome to the new world Snowman..., 14 Sep 2008
'Oryx and Crake' tells the story of Jimmy, who is now known as Snowman, a name he has given himself. Snowman is the only survivor of a virus, a virus created by Snowman's friend, Crake (his real name is Glenn).

After the virus, Snowman now lives in a tree, (Snowman survived the virus because unknown to him, Crake had been giving him the vaccination for the virus) and is responsible for Crake's children, species which Crake created, they are the perfect being, they have been created without the basic human need to quarrel, etc, they mate and they exist.

'Oryx and Crake' explores many ideas that are currently being discussed now, genetically modified animals, in Oryx and Crake, they are called 'Pigoons', Pigs whose DNA has been spliced with human genetic information and they were engineered to grow multiple organs for transplants, but now, they roam the land, packs of Pigoons which Snowman avoids.

In 'Oryx and Crake', Margaret Atwood highlights Snowman's isolation well, he may have the Children of Crake but Snowman is a different specie to them, they look at him with interest and feed him fish on a weekly basis, they only interact with him when they want to hear stories of Oryx and Crake. Snowman is a brilliant character but a jaded one, he tries to do the best that he can, while at the same time living with the voice of his former lover, Oryx, who torments him on a daily basis. Oryx was also the former teacher of Crake's children.

'Oryx and Crake' explores a world which has now changed, it highlights Snowman's isolation, frustration, confusion brilliantly but at the same time endears Snowman to the reader, you will feel genuinely sorry for Snowman. The book makes you think and I could not help thinking at the end of the book that humans are their own worse enemy.

Rating: 10/10

An intelligent and satirical vision of the future of humanity, 25 Apr 2008
"Oryx and Crake" is the eleventh novel by celebrated author Margaret Atwood. The man who calls himself 'Snowman' is the last survivor in a future Earth in which the human race has been mysteriously wiped out. Struggling to sustain himself in an alien world, his only remaining companions are the rakunks and wolvogs - genetically-engineered hybrid animals - and the Children of Crake, a race of modified humans. But Snowman also remembers a time before, when homo sapiens still ruled the world, when he was known not as Snowman but as Jimmy, and when events conspired to cause a global catastrophe.

The novel is told through two timeframes: the first following Snowman in his day-by-day struggle to survive; and the second (which forms the bulk of the story) tracing Jimmy's childhood and adolescence through some unspecified time in our own near future. Atwood's portrayal of the heavily-traumatised, guilt-ridden mentality of such a survivor is handled well. Similarly, Jimmy's eccentric and ultra-intelligent childhood friend Glenn (more commonly known throughout the book by his nickname, 'Crake') is well-drawn and holds the reader's interest whenever he appears. On the other hand, the character of Oryx is never fully realised and it is difficult to understand the fascination and desire that Jimmy has for her.

The plot develops slowly and some patience is required of the reader - at least in the early stages - although both pace and suspense build rapidly in the second half, as the novel moves towards its climax. Generally, however, while the two worlds of present and past are interesting, there are few surprises for the reader in the way the plot develops. There are tantalising hints that other homo sapiens survivors may exist in the aftermath of the catastrophe, but these are never followed up on; indeed, for most of the book Snowman himself - frustratingly for the reader - shows little interest in these signs.

The issues of genetically-modified (GM) foods, and the potential to create so-called 'designer babies' have generated a huge amount of debate over the last decade and more. What Atwood has done in "Oryx and Crake" is to take a number of ideas considered plausible in current bioscience and to follow them through to the most extreme outcomes imaginable. In the dystopian future that she presents us with, scientists have mastered the techniques of genetic modification, able to create hybrid organisms and radically alter the genomes of animals at a whim, to suit the needs of human consumption. Indeed in many ways this is a book about what it means to be alive, and what it means to be human: from dealing with the potential effects of scientists 'playing God' with our genetic code, to the imagined implications of abandoning art, faith and compassion in favour of hyper-rationalism.

Imaginative, intelligent and satirical, "Oryx and Crake" is a thought-provoking read, as well as a timely reminder of the human race's terrifying capability to devastate its environment and engineer its own demise.

A bleak vision of the future of mankind ..., 12 Apr 2008
Not her best, (I'd pick The Handmaid's Tale), but certainly readable and a truly thought-provoking comment on modern society's excesses and one vision of what could happen.
I did find it hard to engage with the characters - you can sympathise with Snowman's predicament, but you couldn't like him very much. Most of all, I had hoped it would lighten up by the end... there was no more than the faintest glimmer of hope for humankind that I could see. But then that would be using a tried and trusted SF formula which is not Atwood's style!

use of English, 08 Nov 2008
I read City of Glass years ago, but my son re-introduced me to Coupland through this book - this guy has an extraordinary ability to conjure up images/impressions with the minimum of words - amazing use of the English language. I will go on to read his other books, and highly recommend this one.

cynical and soulless just like the yuppies it describes, 27 Sep 2008
Too much self indulgence, too much cynicism, too much... I don't know. Too clever for it's own good. It just did nothing for me at a gut level. And you don't have to be either a yuppie or retreat to a desert! The bit with the hummingbird- that's a very evocative, disturbing image however. That and the character telling that story are the only things that make this book memorable for me. I just read another reviewer calling this book 'smug' and full of 'nihilistic self posturing'. I think I agree.

Uneventful, But Interseting, 13 Aug 2007
This is a book I did not particularly enjoy, and I must admit to at times being completely bored rigid, yet some parts were rather interesting.

By the end of the book I must admit I was pleased to be rid of it, but I think this was partly to do witht the fact that I was born the year it was released, therefore cannot realate to the generation.

Another reason for my dislike was that i chose this book based on the author. I was given a copy of All Families Are Psycotic and fell in love with it, so decided to look up Coupland's other books.

It hasn't put me off Coupland, but i sincerely hope his other works are more AFAP, less Generation X

"Adventure Without Risk is Disneyland", 06 Aug 2007
I was mildly disappointed when I read this for the first time recently as I was expecting something a little more fast-paced, a little edgier. Perhaps this was because I - erroneously, as it turns out - associated the title with grunge music, a hybrid of punk, indie-rock and heavy metal that reached its peak in the early nineties - right about the time Generation X was first published. In fact, the title refers to a generation slightly older than me and the majority of grunge fans, and there is no mention of Nirvana et al in this, Douglas Coupland's debut novel.

The story itself is a gentle, somewhat uneventful tale of three friends who, having become increasingly disillusioned with the soulless pursuits of the yuppie/baby boom generation, relocate to the Mojave desert, in California. Here, they tell each other stories ("memories of Earth") not merely as a way of passing the time but in an attempt to re-discover their humanity. If the topics of these stories seem lofty and language employed to tell them pretentious, then it's entirely deliberate, Coupland capturing the "overeducated, intensely private and unpredictable" nature of his characters in a touching and wonderfully ironic style.

What intrigued me most about this book, however, was the impressive glossary of terms and slogans found at the foot of the pages. Wryly observed, and for the most part, searingly funny, they reveal as much (if not more) about the generation Coupland is concerned with. And if you recognise yourself in any these descriptions, fear not! You are surely not alone. I for one have been guilty of "Ultra Short Term Nostalgia" and "Musical Hairsplitting" in my time, and have come pretty close to a "Mid-twenties Breakdown" once or twice...

In conclusion, Generation X isn't an overly thrilling read, but it is a lyrical, insightful and romantic book that remains an iconic and culturally significant work of fiction.

Matt Pucci


Wry and sad - a masterpiece for the nineties. , 24 Apr 2007
Coupland is a master of these kind of fin de siecle novels. Generation X is not plot or character driven - it is really just a collection of rambling thoughts on what it means to be twenty something in the early nineties. It is packed with wry observations and simple truths. It is hugely analytical and shows the complex thoughts of the so called apathetic young people of today - for although this is aimed at twenty somethings in the early nineties it is just as relevant today. Another author could have made this seem overly cynical but Couplands masterful use of irony pulls off the subject spectacularly. One of the novels major plus points is the newly coined phrases and definitions set across the bottom of some of the pages - they were all so clever and true and many people of a certain age and state of mind will be able to relate to them so easily. I think this book would appeal to deep thinkers and people who don't need to read something fast paced in order to keep their interest.

"It's loss and regret and misery and yearning that drive the story forward," writes Margaret Atwood, towards the end of her impressive and complex new novel, The Blind Assassin. It's a melancholic account of why writers write--and readers read--and one that frames the different lives told through this book. The Blind Assassin is (at least) two novels. At the end of her life, Iris Griffen takes up her pen to record the secret history of her family, the romantic melodrama of its decline and fall between the two World Wars. Conjuring a world of prosperity and misery, marriage and loneliness, the central enigma of Iris's tale is the death of her sister, Laura Chase, who "drove a car off a bridge" at the end of the Second World War. Suicide or accident? The story gradually unfolds, interspersed with sketches of Iris's present-day life--confined by age and ill-health--and a second novel, The Blind Assassin by Laura Chase. Allowing a glimpse into a clandestine love affair between a privileged young woman and a radical "agitator" on the run, this version of The Blind Assassin is an overt act of seduction: the exchange of sex and story about an imaginary world of Sakiel-Norn (a play with the potential, and convention, of fantasy and sci-fi).

With the intelligence, subtlety and remarkable characterisation associated with Atwood's writing (from her first novel, The Edible Woman through to the best-selling Alias Grace), these two stories play with one another--sustaining an uncertainty about who has done what to who and why to the very end of this compelling book. --Vicky Lebeau

Compelling and thought provoking story, 03 Nov 2008
An incredible story that is difficult to describe in a short few sentences. It was certainly a very thought provoking book and I really wanted to discuss it with someone else (excellent choice for a book club!). I was unsure about the ending but on reflection it fits well with the rest of the book and allows for the reader to ponder the story well after finishing reading. Dystopian fiction is not for everyone but if you are at all interested in this genre then this is a brilliant example. Once I'd finished this book I went straight out and bought "Oryx and Crake" - another dystopian story by Atwood.

It doesn't matter what you feel, it only matters how you behave, 23 Sep 2008
What a wonderful book, written in the style of 1984 and Kazuo Ishiguro's Never let me go. I find Margaret Atwood's books hard to put down once I have started them, and cannot believe I only discovered her this year. I didn't read the notes at the end, as I thought they would ruin the chilling atmosphere set by the rest of the book. Moira is one of the best characters for me; she brings a little humour to the situation which is sorely needed. A great read.

How to do theocratic dystopia..., 12 Aug 2008
A truly great book, particular for those who have cold feet about Speculative Fiction (aka Sci Fi). A post-apocalyptic take on loss, resistance, feminism and social order of the patriarchal kind, The Handmaid's Tale avoids both cliche and the pretensions that can often plague even the best of novels with political undertows. I can think of few books which so well capture the sense of radical transformation and dislocation that must come with what someone once called the 'orgasms of history', those decisive events that change utterly social structures and somehow drag individuals along with them, even though people remain dominated by much the same loves and hopes they always were. The evocations of ritual, ceremony and punishment are particularly disturbing and resonant, even viscerally so. And, despite creating a deeply believable metaphor both for those changes that have been and those yet to come, Atwood also accomplishes the 'page turner' quality usually reserved for shallow thrillers. Just shy of being a masterpiece.

A thoroughly satisfying read, 07 Aug 2008
Possibly inspired by Islamic revolutions of the late 1970's - Atwood re-imagines American society in the grip an ultra-conservative, theocracy.
Under this regime, biblical scripture is used to justify hierarchical polygamy. High-caste 'Wives' govern biologically-fertile 'handmaids'- kept purely for procreative breeding, these 'handmaids' are sober, pious and nun-like - but they retain the dangerous allure of 'scarlet women' ... being parodoxically both entrapped and yet empowered by their vital role as surrogate mothers.
This is a post-feminist and matriarchal, but rigidly controlled and totalitarian society. It is NOT a cliched 'post-apocalyptic' story,(as the last reviewer erroneously claimed.) It is, however, one possible direction into which modern western societies may be presently regressing. It is a gritty, multi-layered tale, but it is largely about religious ideology as a form of social control.
The story is told with such a sense of exquisite clarity. The sheer pace and mood had me enthralled! It is a vivid, lucid tale, yet richly shrewd and astute. I particularly love the way in which the plot is tantalisingly 'strip-teased' - by flowing back and forth between the present (future) and past (present) Convincingly realistic, profoundly haunting and richly stimulating ... a thoroughly satisfying read!!

Love this book!, 22 Jul 2008
I read this novel for the first time last week and I loved it!! I couldn't put it down!!

Fabulous!, 20 Oct 2008
Excellent book. The best read I have had for many years - couldn't put it down.

My favourite book, 14 Oct 2008
This is the book I recommend to every one of my friends. It is utterly beautiful, tragic and yet hopeful. I grew to love the characters and found the way Mistry conveys the complexity of human relationships wonderfully satisfying.

What the Dickens, 15 Aug 2008
As another reviewer has already said, Rohinton Mistry has echoed Dickens in this book. It is a social commentary about how well-meaning political decisions have a huge impact on the ordinary people. I read this after being badgered to by my godmother, and I am really glad that she kept on at me until i did.
It is at times an uncomfortable read - it highlights caste violence, government-backed brutality and extreme poverty, without ever sensationalising any of it. It is also, believe it or not, humourous, gentle and touching at the same time as being absolutely tragic and harrowing. the characters are beautifully fleshed-out, and the sights, smells and tastes of India are there as you read. I was so engrossed in the characters that I desperately wanted a happy ending for them all.

Whilst reading, it was sometimes hard to believe that this book is set in relatively modern times - the 70s - so cruel and astonishing are some of the incidents it relates. When I finished, I looked around at my home and children and realised exactly how fortunate I am. Not life-changing perhaps, but profoundly moving and unforgettable.


Beautiful book, 12 Aug 2008
This book is really beautiful - and one of my all time favourite novels.

Whilst it is sad, the characters also have a good sense of humour and find comfort in their unlikely friendship with each other.

I think it is also an interesting exploration of how well-meaning political decisions can have a significant impact on the individual.


A work of art, 02 Aug 2008
This is an unbelievably fabulous book. I am not going to write a long review as I do not know how to find the words to do the book justice. I've passed it on to several friends and I can't wait for them to finish reading it so I can discuss it with them.
It is very rare to read a book when the characters come alive for you. I felt I knew these characters and I began dreaming about them and thinking about them during everyday life.
The themes and issues dealt with by Mistry have changed the way I view the world and have had a huge impact upon my outlook. I cried several times during my reading of the book and had to put it aside for some hours before I could continue reading.
The ending is shocking and will stay with me forever.
I highly recommend reading this book but please be prepared for the impact it will have upon you.
Rohinton Mistry, in my view, is one of the finest writers of our day.



Pseudo-intellectual drivel, 25 Sep 2008
I was sent a copy of this book by my sister who knows I like science fiction. However I only like science fiction written by people who like science fiction, not people who sneer at the genre yet don't mind using it for the purposes of semi-political polemic.

If you are a member of the self obsessed literati who reads a book because you like to look clever in front of your peers you will enjoy this (after your fashion). If you want to read a decent story, try something else. Anything else.

Utter tripe of the highest order

The book is way too short, 16 Sep 2008
As with any really good story, when you live it you don't want it to end. For me the only criticism of this book is that it is too short. I would have loved to have read more about Snowman's exploration of the deserted streets in the pleeblands and the Rejoov compound. I would also like to read more about his encounter with those he meets at the end of the book (trying not to give much away here) and how things ultimately develop. The ending is crying out for a sequel although it is a common strategy to leave the reader wanting more, asking questions, pondering how the story might develop further, I would like to know Margeret's thoughts on how she personally saw things panning out.
For those interested in human development and how humans may evelove then I recommend Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon. Oryx and Crake can be seen as a tiny sub story from Olaf's book.


Welcome to the new world Snowman..., 14 Sep 2008
'Oryx and Crake' tells the story of Jimmy, who is now known as Snowman, a name he has given himself. Snowman is the only survivor of a virus, a virus created by Snowman's friend, Crake (his real name is Glenn).

After the virus, Snowman now lives in a tree, (Snowman survived the virus because unknown to him, Crake had been giving him the vaccination for the virus) and is responsible for Crake's children, species which Crake created, they are the perfect being, they have been created without the basic human need to quarrel, etc, they mate and they exist.

'Oryx and Crake' explores many ideas that are currently being discussed now, genetically modified animals, in Oryx and Crake, they are called 'Pigoons', Pigs whose DNA has been spliced with human genetic information and they were engineered to grow multiple organs for transplants, but now, they roam the land, packs of Pigoons which Snowman avoids.

In 'Oryx and Crake', Margaret Atwood highlights Snowman's isolation well, he may have the Children of Crake but Snowman is a different specie to them, they look at him with interest and feed him fish on a weekly basis, they only interact with him when they want to hear stories of Oryx and Crake. Snowman is a brilliant character but a jaded one, he tries to do the best that he can, while at the same time living with the voice of his former lover, Oryx, who torments him on a daily basis. Oryx was also the former teacher of Crake's children.

'Oryx and Crake' explores a world which has now changed, it highlights Snowman's isolation, frustration, confusion brilliantly but at the same time endears Snowman to the reader, you will feel genuinely sorry for Snowman. The book makes you think and I could not help thinking at the end of the book that humans are their own worse enemy.

Rating: 10/10

An intelligent and satirical vision of the future of humanity, 25 Apr 2008
"Oryx and Crake" is the eleventh novel by celebrated author Margaret Atwood. The man who calls himself 'Snowman' is the last survivor in a future Earth in which the human race has been mysteriously wiped out. Struggling to sustain himself in an alien world, his only remaining companions are the rakunks and wolvogs - genetically-engineered hybrid animals - and the Children of Crake, a race of modified humans. But Snowman also remembers a time before, when homo sapiens still ruled the world, when he was known not as Snowman but as Jimmy, and when events conspired to cause a global catastrophe.

The novel is told through two timeframes: the first following Snowman in his day-by-day struggle to survive; and the second (which forms the bulk of the story) tracing Jimmy's childhood and adolescence through some unspecified time in our own near future. Atwood's portrayal of the heavily-traumatised, guilt-ridden mentality of such a survivor is handled well. Similarly, Jimmy's eccentric and ultra-intelligent childhood friend Glenn (more commonly known throughout the book by his nickname, 'Crake') is well-drawn and holds the reader's interest whenever he appears. On the other hand, the character of Oryx is never fully realised and it is difficult to understand the fascination and desire that Jimmy has for her.

The plot develops slowly and some patience is required of the reader - at least in the early stages - although both pace and suspense build rapidly in the second half, as the novel moves towards its climax. Generally, however, while the two worlds of present and past are interesting, there are few surprises for the reader in the way the plot develops. There are tantalising hints that other homo sapiens survivors may exist in the aftermath of the catastrophe, but these are never followed up on; indeed, for most of the book Snowman himself - frustratingly for the reader - shows little interest in these signs.

The issues of genetically-modified (GM) foods, and the potential to create so-called 'designer babies' have generated a huge amount of debate over the last decade and more. What Atwood has done in "Oryx and Crake" is to take a number of ideas considered plausible in current bioscience and to follow them through to the most extreme outcomes imaginable. In the dystopian future that she presents us with, scientists have mastered the techniques of genetic modification, able to create hybrid organisms and radically alter the genomes of animals at a whim, to suit the needs of human consumption. Indeed in many ways this is a book about what it means to be alive, and what it means to be human: from dealing with the potential effects of scientists 'playing God' with our genetic code, to the imagined implications of abandoning art, faith and compassion in favour of hyper-rationalism.

Imaginative, intelligent and satirical, "Oryx and Crake" is a thought-provoking read, as well as a timely reminder of the human race's terrifying capability to devastate its environment and engineer its own demise.

A bleak vision of the future of mankind ..., 12 Apr 2008
Not her best, (I'd pick The Handmaid's Tale), but certainly readable and a truly thought-provoking comment on modern society's excesses and one vision of what could happen.
I did find it hard to engage with the characters - you can sympathise with Snowman's predicament, but you couldn't like him very much. Most of all, I had hoped it would lighten up by the end... there was no more than the faintest glimmer of hope for humankind that I could see. But then that would be using a tried and trusted SF formula which is not Atwood's style!

use of English, 08 Nov 2008
I read City of Glass years ago, but my son re-introduced me to Coupland through this book - this guy has an extraordinary ability to conjure up images/impressions with the minimum of words - amazing use of the English language. I will go on to read his other books, and highly recommend this one.

cynical and soulless just like the yuppies it describes, 27 Sep 2008
Too much self indulgence, too much cynicism, too much... I don't know. Too clever for it's own good. It just did nothing for me at a gut level. And you don't have to be either a yuppie or retreat to a desert! The bit with the hummingbird- that's a very evocative, disturbing image however. That and the character telling that story are the only things that make this book memorable for me. I just read another reviewer calling this book 'smug' and full of 'nihilistic self posturing'. I think I agree.

Uneventful, But Interseting, 13 Aug 2007
This is a book I did not particularly enjoy, and I must admit to at times being completely bored rigid, yet some parts were rather interesting.

By the end of the book I must admit I was pleased to be rid of it, but I think this was partly to do witht the fact that I was born the year it was released, therefore cannot realate to the generation.

Another reason for my dislike was that i chose this book based on the author. I was given a copy of All Families Are Psycotic and fell in love with it, so decided to look up Coupland's other books.

It hasn't put me off Coupland, but i sincerely hope his other works are more AFAP, less Generation X

"Adventure Without Risk is Disneyland", 06 Aug 2007
I was mildly disappointed when I read this for the first time recently as I was expecting something a little more fast-paced, a little edgier. Perhaps this was because I - erroneously, as it turns out - associated the title with grunge music, a hybrid of punk, indie-rock and heavy metal that reached its peak in the early nineties - right about the time Generation X was first published. In fact, the title refers to a generation slightly older than me and the majority of grunge fans, and there is no mention of Nirvana et al in this, Douglas Coupland's debut novel.

The story itself is a gentle, somewhat uneventful tale of three friends who, having become increasingly disillusioned with the soulless pursuits of the yuppie/baby boom generation, relocate to the Mojave desert, in California. Here, they tell each other stories ("memories of Earth") not merely as a way of passing the time but in an attempt to re-discover their humanity. If the topics of these stories seem lofty and language employed to tell them pretentious, then it's entirely deliberate, Coupland capturing the "overeducated, intensely private and unpredictable" nature of his characters in a touching and wonderfully ironic style.

What intrigued me most about this book, however, was the impressive glossary of terms and slogans found at the foot of the pages. Wryly observed, and for the most part, searingly funny, they reveal as much (if not more) about the generation Coupland is concerned with. And if you recognise yourself in any these descriptions, fear not! You are surely not alone. I for one have been guilty of "Ultra Short Term Nostalgia" and "Musical Hairsplitting" in my time, and have come pretty close to a "Mid-twenties Breakdown" once or twice...

In conclusion, Generation X isn't an overly thrilling read, but it is a lyrical, insightful and romantic book that remains an iconic and culturally significant work of fiction.

Matt Pucci


Wry and sad - a masterpiece for the nineties. , 24 Apr 2007
Coupland is a master of these kind of fin de siecle novels. Generation X is not plot or character driven - it is really just a collection of rambling thoughts on what it means to be twenty something in the early nineties. It is packed with wry observations and simple truths. It is hugely analytical and shows the complex thoughts of the so called apathetic young people of today - for although this is aimed at twenty somethings in the early nineties it is just as relevant today. Another author could have made this seem overly cynical but Couplands masterful use of irony pulls off the subject spectacularly. One of the novels major plus points is the newly coined phrases and definitions set across the bottom of some of the pages - they were all so clever and true and many people of a certain age and state of mind will be able to relate to them so easily. I think this book would appeal to deep thinkers and people who don't need to read something fast paced in order to keep their interest.

From Buttons to Bestsellers, 08 Nov 2008
This is a tricky one. There's no doubting Atwood's ability as a writer; her prose is consistently elegant (although I do have a few reservations about some incongruous vernacular, such as the repeated use of the word "nicked" when describing theft, but perhaps I'm being picky), and her descriptive powers are notable. The problem I have with this work is that it lacks synergy. Quite the opposite is in fact the case, with the whole falling short of the sum of the parts.

As a dynastic record, following the ups and downs of the prominent Canadian family at the book's core, the novel works well in an episodic way. The two sister's lives are chronicled with wit and poignancy. There is, however, a good deal of predictability to their fates. This is the story of a privileged family behaving in a manner to which most readers will be accustomed. Because of this familiarity the novel as a whole is not as successful as it might have been. There's much to recommend this book but there could have been so much more.

As an overall package this book warrants three stars, but, due to the high quality of the writing it earns four.

Blindingly beautiful, 09 Aug 2008
The Blind Assassin is spellbinding, haunting and bewitching. Atwood's gloriously conrolled use of poignant and delicate prose encapsulates love, passion and loss throughout three time periods with a true understanding of the human spirit which makes for a timeless and unforgetable piece of literature.
Not since Guy de Maupassant has an author managed to so untterly captivate my imagination and utterly absorb me into their imaginings. Atwood's intricately constructed narrative weaves seamlessly in and out of time and landscape involving the reader so intensely it is almost disappointing when the story finally reaches it's powerfully emotional conclusion. The novel is not only readable, it is hard not to be 'read' back by it; the characters are not only so beautifully defined as to be believed but are also so real as to be empathised with.
I was sorry to finish this book, it left me breathless and moved in a way that few others before have managed and deserves to become a 'classic' in every sense of the word.

An enduring masterpiece, 24 Mar 2008
Sometimes, when reading a big book, one gets the feeling that the author set out to achieve size, as if that in itself might suggest certain adjectives from a reader or reviewer - weighty, significant, deep, serious, complex, extensive, perhaps. Sometimes - rarely, in fact - one reads a big book and becomes lost in its size, lost in the sense that one ceases to notice the hundreds passing by, as the work creates its own time, defines its own experience, shares its own world. Even then, reaching the end can often be merely trite, just a running out of steam, the process thoroughly engaging, the product, however, something of a let down. Rarely, very rarely indeed, one reads a big book that actually needs its size, justifies itself, continues to surprise as well as enchant and then, finally, stuns. Margaret Atwood's Blind Assassin is such a book, a giant in every sense, a masterpiece beyond question.

Blind Assassin was awarded the Booker prize in 2000 and charts intersecting histories of two well-to-do Canadian families, Chase and Griffen. The two Chase sisters, Iris and Laura, are quite different people. Born into the relative opulence of a Canadian manufacturing family, they have a private education of sorts, experienced throughout and yet alongside something vaguely like a childhood. Various aspects of twentieth century history impinge upon their lives and eventually force their family to reassess its status. Economic downturn, war and family tragedy take their toll on the father, who becomes less able to manage either his own life or his business. Something has to give. Ways of coping must be found.

Iris, the elder sister, is the first person narrator of about half of the book, the other half being devoted to a book within a book, a novel in the name of Laura, the younger sister. This novel, entitled The Blind Assassin, is an eclectic mix of experience, sex, fantasy and politics. It has made a name for Laura and retains a significant cult following many years after its publication. Laura, herself, died in a car accident. She drove off a bridge into a ravine. The car belonged to Iris. There was never any real explanation for the event.

Iris, meanwhile, has been married off to an older man, a Griffen, who seems to treat her like so much chattel. But then he is an industrialist with the wherewithal, not to mention capital, to assist the bride's family business in its time of need. Iris, therefore, experiences the Canadian equivalent of an arranged marriage. Perhaps the word marriage is a little overstated. The partnership could be better described as a merger, or a union, if that were not a dirty word because of its political connotation.

And so the octogenarian Iris, clearly anticipating the end of her days, embarks upon a cathartic outpouring of personal and family history in the hope that an estranged granddaughter might just understand a little about other peoples' motives.

The book takes us through Canada and north America, across to Europe, via an imagined universe, to political commitment, direct action and its inevitable reaction. Iris needs to write it all down. And so she works her story out, constructing it, perhaps reconstructing it, maybe inventing it from memory and relived experience against a backdrop of contemporary Canada and her own failing health. Her vulnerability, in the end, is our debt, our penance, perhaps. She is a wise old woman with much to hide, but her acerbic wit is undiminished by age, her observations of others stunningly perspicacious.

It is not often that a novel, a mere flight of another's fancy, achieves the subtle, stunning and surely enduring power of the Blind Assassin.


Uneven, and largely unnecessary..., 29 Dec 2007
I really enjoyed The Handmaid's Tale and, while I normally steer away from Booker prizewinners, I decided to give this a go.

It would certainly be unreasonable to deny that Atwood has a formidable command of the English language, and great skill in deploying it. There are about 7,000 metaphors and similes here, and nearly every one of them works. In that respect, I found it a surprisingly easy read, with a good flow to the prose, and a well-established context.

However, I would quibble with the idea that this is a great book. Even after 600 pages, I didn't feel I knew Iris very well - she was often an opaque figure, who really only became real when she got old and crabby. The early Iris was a blank, remote cipher. Laura was, I presume, intended to be enigmatic, but for me she held no real allure.

The narrative is odd. Considering it covers an entire life, it often dwells on the inconsequential, and skips over the important. Key events like births, weddings, deaths; these are all dispatched far too quickly. Maybe this was intentional, but it didn't read that way - it just read as uneven, and as if the reader didn't matter.

All in all, there was no dramatic tension at any point. The story drifted on, albeit that the splicing between one "story" and the other was poorly done, adding to the unevenness. I didn't really care what happened to Laura, or who was related to whom. It was all background, no foreground; and Atwood's failure to really emphasise what was important left it all feeling like a very intelligently-produced screensaver.

For me, this book is about 300 pages too long, and lacks a clear purpose. It tells of a life that has little to recommend its' telling. Maybe the Booker was a "lifetime achievement" rather than for this book alone, or maybe the Booker just goes to overrated, over-long books.

A touch overrated, 05 Sep 2007
The Blind Assassin is an utterly postmodern tragedy of family life set in 1930s Canada, centred around the causes of the suicide of "authoress" Laura Chase, the narrator's sister. It's beguiling and richly detailed, but a little flabby too.

Atwood tells her story in three voices. Iris's memoir is interleaved with newspaper cuttings, drily documenting the novel's events, and with chapters of "The Blind Assassin," a novel within a novel. Reading them mixed together, as they're meant to be read, we're encouraged to consider the power and trustworthiness of the three voices. Atwood's theme is authorship: its origin, its responsibilities, its consequences and the myths that can engulf authors. The truth is elusive, and the narration routinely reveals more about the narrator than about the truth. The technique is brilliant - but a bit overused by Book XV.

In a nutshell, The Blind Assassin is everything that's bad and good about postmodern literature. The contrast of the three voices and the exploration of authorship is ingenious - but self-indulgence, writing for its own sake, with scant regard for plot or character, drags it down.

Iris is the only flesh-and-blood character in the novel - most characters' thoughts and motives remain a mystery, which is a surprise in a 650-page work. Richard Griffen is a cardboard ogre, a flimsy stereotype of what feminists think men are like - amazingly, the narrator even confesses that this is how she's portrayed him. What this novel lacks is a heart. Atwood piles on the detail, but never convinced me that she really knows what it's like for her characters - because of course she never lived through the '30s herself.

The Blind Assassin could have been halved in length. We learn Iris's opinions of cookies (tasteless, crumbly, greasy) and muffins (too big, too heavy) and essentially every opinion she has on everything. The book demands stamina, lots of it, and doesn't quite pay back the large outlay of time. The story is okay, with a couple of twists (though the big one is extremely predictable), and very readable, but moves at a very gentle pace.

If you're looking for an intelligent mystery (e.g. for holiday reading) let me recommend The Secret History by Donna Tartt. If you want a broadly similar story with the same sort of theme crammed into 200 pages rather than 650, try A Pale View of Hills by Kazuo Ishiguro. The Blind Assassin is enjoyable enough, but no masterpiece.

Mistry does something that only the really natural writers can do: without apparent effort, manipulation or contrivance, he creates characters you like instantly and will gladly follow for as long as the novel leads. The book is about an Indian family during the years of Indira Ghandi's rule; it's also a study of the times, its politics and corruption, and was especially interesting for me, knowing so little about life in the rest of the world. It had to be a good book: after I read Such a Long Journey, I wanted to go right out and buy a plane ticket and see India for myself.

Compelling and thought provoking story, 03 Nov 2008
An incredible story that is difficult to describe in a short few sentences. It was certainly a very thought provoking book and I really wanted to discuss it with someone else (excellent choice for a book club!). I was unsure about the ending but on reflection it fits well with the rest of the book and allows for the reader to ponder the story well after finishing reading. Dystopian fiction is not for everyone but if you are at all interested in this genre then this is a brilliant example. Once I'd finished this book I went straight out and bought "Oryx and Crake" - another dystopian story by Atwood.

It doesn't matter what you feel, it only matters how you behave, 23 Sep 2008
What a wonderful book, written in the style of 1984 and Kazuo Ishiguro's Never let me go. I find Margaret Atwood's books hard to put down once I have started them, and cannot believe I only discovered her this year. I didn't read the notes at the end, as I thought they would ruin the chilling atmosphere set by the rest of the book. Moira is one of the best characters for me; she brings a little humour to the situation which is sorely needed. A great read.

How to do theocratic dystopia..., 12 Aug 2008
A truly great book, particular for those who have cold feet about Speculative Fiction (aka Sci Fi). A post-apocalyptic take on loss, resistance, feminism and social order of the patriarchal kind, The Handmaid's Tale avoids both cliche and the pretensions that can often plague even the best of novels with political undertows. I can think of few books which so well capture the sense of radical transformation and dislocation that must come with what someone once called the 'orgasms of history', those decisive events that change utterly social structures and somehow drag individuals along with them, even though people remain dominated by much the same loves and hopes they always were. The evocations of ritual, ceremony and punishment are particularly disturbing and resonant, even viscerally so. And, despite creating a deeply believable metaphor both for those changes that have been and those yet to come, Atwood also accomplishes the 'page turner' quality usually reserved for shallow thrillers. Just shy of being a masterpiece.

A thoroughly satisfying read, 07 Aug 2008
Possibly inspired by Islamic revolutions of the late 1970's - Atwood re-imagines American society in the grip an ultra-conservative, theocracy.
Under this regime, biblical scripture is used to justify hierarchical polygamy. High-caste 'Wives' govern biologically-fertile 'handmaids'- kept purely for procreative breeding, these 'handmaids' are sober, pious and nun-like - but they retain the dangerous allure of 'scarlet women' ... being parodoxically both entrapped and yet empowered by their vital role as surrogate mothers.
This is a post-feminist and matriarchal, but rigidly controlled and totalitarian society. It is NOT a cliched 'post-apocalyptic' story,(as the last reviewer erroneously claimed.) It is, however, one possible direction into which modern western societies may be presently regressing. It is a gritty, multi-layered tale, but it is largely about religious ideology as a form of social control.
The story is told with such a sense of exquisite clarity. The sheer pace and mood had me enthralled! It is a vivid, lucid tale, yet richly shrewd and astute. I particularly love the way in which the plot is tantalisingly 'strip-teased' - by flowing back and forth between the present (future) and past (present) Convincingly realistic, profoundly haunting and richly stimulating ... a thoroughly satisfying read!!

Love this book!, 22 Jul 2008
I read this novel for the first time last week and I loved it!! I couldn't put it down!!

Fabulous!, 20 Oct 2008
Excellent book. The best read I have had for many years - couldn't put it down.

My favourite book, 14 Oct 2008
This is the book I recommend to every one of my friends. It is utterly beautiful, tragic and yet hopeful. I grew to love the characters and found the way Mistry conveys the complexity of human relationships wonderfully satisfying.

What the Dickens, 15 Aug 2008
As another reviewer has already said, Rohinton Mistry has echoed Dickens in this book. It is a social commentary about how well-meaning political decisions have a huge impact on the ordinary people. I read this after being badgered to by my godmother, and I am really glad that she kept on at me until i did.
It is at times an uncomfortable read - it highlights caste violence, government-backed brutality and extreme poverty, without ever sensationalising any of it. It is also, believe it or not, humourous, gentle and touching at the same time as being absolutely tragic and harrowing. the characters are beautifully fleshed-out, and the sights, smells and tastes of India are there as you read. I was so engrossed in the characters that I desperately wanted a happy ending for them all.

Whilst reading, it was sometimes hard to believe that this book is set in relatively modern times - the 70s - so cruel and astonishing are some of the incidents it relates. When I finished, I looked around at my home and children and realised exactly how fortunate I am. Not life-changing perhaps, but profoundly moving and unforgettable.


Beautiful book, 12 Aug 2008
This book is really beautiful - and one of my all time favourite novels.

Whilst it is sad, the characters also have a good sense of humour and find comfort in their unlikely friendship with each other.

I think it is also an interesting exploration of how well-meaning political decisions can have a significant impact on the individual.


A work of art, 02 Aug 2008
This is an unbelievably fabulous book. I am not going to write a long review as I do not know how to find the words to do the book justice. I've passed it on to several friends and I can't wait for them to finish reading it so I can discuss it with them.
It is very rare to read a book when the characters come alive for you. I felt I knew these characters and I began dreaming about them and thinking about them during everyday life.
The themes and issues dealt with by Mistry have changed the way I view the world and have had a huge impact upon my outlook. I cried several times during my reading of the book and had to put it aside for some hours before I could continue reading.
The ending is shocking and will stay with me forever.
I highly recommend reading this book but please be prepared for the impact it will have upon you.
Rohinton Mistry, in my view, is one of the finest writers of our day.



Pseudo-intellectual drivel, 25 Sep 2008
I was sent a copy of this book by my sister who knows I like science fiction. However I only like science fiction written by people who like science fiction, not people who sneer at the genre yet don't mind using it for the purposes of semi-political polemic.

If you are a member of the self obsessed literati who reads a book because you like to look clever in front of your peers you will enjoy this (after your fashion). If you want to read a decent story, try something else. Anything else.

Utter tripe of the highest order

The book is way too short, 16 Sep 2008
As with any really good story, when you live it you don't want it to end. For me the only criticism of this book is that it is too short. I would have loved to have read more about Snowman's exploration of the deserted streets in the pleeblands and the Rejoov compound. I would also like to read more about his encounter with those he meets at the end of the book (trying not to give much away here) and how things ultimately develop. The ending is crying out for a sequel although it is a common strategy to leave the reader wanting more, asking questions, pondering how the story might develop further, I would like to know Margeret's thoughts on how she personally saw things panning out.
For those interested in human development and how humans may evelove then I recommend Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon. Oryx and Crake can be seen as a tiny sub story from Olaf's book.


Welcome to the new world Snowman..., 14 Sep 2008
'Oryx and Crake' tells the story of Jimmy, who is now known as Snowman, a name he has given himself. Snowman is the only survivor of a virus, a virus created by Snowman's friend, Crake (his real name is Glenn).

After the virus, Snowman now lives in a tree, (Snowman survived the virus because unknown to him, Crake had been giving him the vaccination for the virus) and is responsible for Crake's children, species which Crake created, they are the perfect being, they have been created without the basic human need to quarrel, etc, they mate and they exist.

'Oryx and Crake' explores many ideas that are currently being discussed now, genetically modified animals, in Oryx and Crake, they are called 'Pigoons', Pigs whose DNA has been spliced with human genetic information and they were engineered to grow multiple organs for transplants, but now, they roam the land, packs of Pigoons which Snowman avoids.

In 'Oryx and Crake', Margaret Atwood highlights Snowman's isolation well, he may have the Children of Crake but Snowman is a different specie to them, they look at him with interest and feed him fish on a weekly basis, they only interact with him when they want to hear stories of Oryx and Crake. Snowman is a brilliant character but a jaded one, he tries to do the best that he can, while at the same time living with the voice of his former lover, Oryx, who torments him on a daily basis. Oryx was also the former teacher of Crake's children.

'Oryx and Crake' explores a world which has now changed, it highlights Snowman's isolation, frustration, confusion brilliantly but at the same time endears Snowman to the reader, you will feel genuinely sorry for Snowman. The book makes you think and I could not help thinking at the end of the book that humans are their own worse enemy.

Rating: 10/10

An intelligent and satirical vision of the future of humanity, 25 Apr 2008
"Oryx and Crake" is the eleventh novel by celebrated author Margaret Atwood. The man who calls himself 'Snowman' is the last survivor in a future Earth in which the human race has been mysteriously wiped out. Struggling to sustain himself in an alien world, his only remaining companions are the rakunks and wolvogs - genetically-engineered hybrid animals - and the Children of Crake, a race of modified humans. But Snowman also remembers a time before, when homo sapiens still ruled the world, when he was known not as Snowman but as Jimmy, and when events conspired to cause a global catastrophe.

The novel is told through two timeframes: the first following Snowman in his day-by-day struggle to survive; and the second (which forms the bulk of the story) tracing Jimmy's childhood and adolescence through some unspecified time in our own near future. Atwood's portrayal of the heavily-traumatised, guilt-ridden mentality of such a survivor is handled well. Similarly, Jimmy's eccentric and ultra-intelligent childhood friend Glenn (more commonly known throughout the book by his nickname, 'Crake') is well-drawn and holds the reader's interest whenever he appears. On the other hand, the character of Oryx is never fully realised and it is difficult to understand the fascination and desire that Jimmy has for her.

The plot develops slowly and some patience is required of the reader - at least in the early stages - although both pace and suspense build rapidly in the second half, as the novel moves towards its climax. Generally, however, while the two worlds of present and past are interesting, there are few surprises for the reader in the way the plot develops. There are tantalising hints that other homo sapiens survivors may exist in the aftermath of the catastrophe, but these are never followed up on; indeed, for most of the book Snowman himself - frustratingly for the reader - shows little interest in these signs.

The issues of genetically-modified (GM) foods, and the potential to create so-called 'designer babies' have generated a huge amount of debate over the last decade and more. What Atwood has done in "Oryx and Crake" is to take a number of ideas considered plausible in current bioscience and to follow them through to the most extreme outcomes imaginable. In the dystopian future that she presents us with, scientists have mastered the techniques of genetic modification, able to create hybrid organisms and radically alter the genomes of animals at a whim, to suit the needs of human consumption. Indeed in many ways this is a book about what it means to be alive, and what it means to be human: from dealing with the potential effects of scientists 'playing God' with our genetic code, to the imagined implications of abandoning art, faith and compassion in favour of hyper-rationalism.

Imaginative, intelligent and satirical, "Oryx and Crake" is a thought-provoking read, as well as a timely reminder of the human race's terrifying capability to devastate its environment and engineer its own demise.

A bleak vision of the future of mankind ..., 12 Apr 2008
Not her best, (I'd pick The Handmaid's Tale), but certainly readable and a truly thought-provoking comment on modern society's excesses and one vision of what could happen.
I did find it hard to engage with the characters - you can sympathise with Snowman's predicament, but you couldn't like him very much. Most of all, I had hoped it would lighten up by the end... there was no more than the faintest glimmer of hope for humankind that I could see. But then that would be using a tried and trusted SF formula which is not Atwood's style!

use of English, 08 Nov 2008
I read City of Glass years ago, but my son re-introduced me to Coupland through this book - this guy has an extraordinary ability to conjure up images/impressions with the minimum of words - amazing use of the English language. I will go on to read his other books, and highly recommend this one.

cynical and soulless just like the yuppies it describes, 27 Sep 2008
Too much self indulgence, too much cynicism, too much... I don't know. Too clever for it's own good. It just did nothing for me at a gut level. And you don't have to be either a yuppie or retreat to a desert! The bit with the hummingbird- that's a very evocative, disturbing image however. That and the character telling that story are the only things that make this book memorable for me. I just read another reviewer calling this book 'smug' and full of 'nihilistic self posturing'. I think I agree.

Uneventful, But Interseting, 13 Aug 2007
This is a book I did not particularly enjoy, and I must admit to at times being completely bored rigid, yet some parts were rather interesting.

By the end of the book I must admit I was pleased to be rid of it, but I think this was partly to do witht the fact that I was born the year it was released, therefore cannot realate to the generation.

Another reason for my dislike was that i chose this book based on the author. I was given a copy of All Families Are Psycotic and fell in love with it, so decided to look up Coupland's other books.

It hasn't put me off Coupland, but i sincerely hope his other works are more AFAP, less Generation X

"Adventure Without Risk is Disneyland", 06 Aug 2007
I was mildly disappointed when I read this for the first time recently as I was expecting something a little more fast-paced, a little edgier. Perhaps this was because I - erroneously, as it turns out - associated the title with grunge music, a hybrid of punk, indie-rock and heavy metal that reached its peak in the early nineties - right about the time Generation X was first published. In fact, the title refers to a generation slightly older than me and the majority of grunge fans, and there is no mention of Nirvana et al in this, Douglas Coupland's debut novel.

The story itself is a gentle, somewhat uneventful tale of three friends who, having become increasingly disillusioned with the soulless pursuits of the yuppie/baby boom generation, relocate to the Mojave desert, in California. Here, they tell each other stories ("memories of Earth") not merely as a way of passing the time but in an attempt to re-discover their humanity. If the topics of these stories seem lofty and language employed to tell them pretentious, then it's entirely deliberate, Coupland capturing the "overeducated, intensely private and unpredictable" nature of his characters in a touching and wonderfully ironic style.

What intrigued me most about this book, however, was the impressive glossary of terms and slogans found at the foot of the pages. Wryly observed, and for the most part, searingly funny, they reveal as much (if not more) about the generation Coupland is concerned with. And if you recognise yourself in any these descriptions, fear not! You are surely not alone. I for one have been guilty of "Ultra Short Term Nostalgia" and "Musical Hairsplitting" in my time, and have come pretty close to a "Mid-twenties Breakdown" once or twice...

In conclusion, Generation X isn't an overly thrilling read, but it is a lyrical, insightful and romantic book that remains an iconic and culturally significant work of fiction.

Matt Pucci


Wry and sad - a masterpiece for the nineties. , 24 Apr 2007
Coupland is a master of these kind of fin de siecle novels. Generation X is not plot or character driven - it is really just a collection of rambling thoughts on what it means to be twenty something in the early nineties. It is packed with wry observations and simple truths. It is hugely analytical and shows the complex thoughts of the so called apathetic young people of today - for although this is aimed at twenty somethings in the early nineties it is just as relevant today. Another author could have made this seem overly cynical but Couplands masterful use of irony pulls off the subject spectacularly. One of the novels major plus points is the newly coined phrases and definitions set across the bottom of some of the pages - they were all so clever and true and many people of a certain age and state of mind will be able to relate to them so easily. I think this book would appeal to deep thinkers and people who don't need to read something fast paced in order to keep their interest.

From Buttons to Bestsellers, 08 Nov 2008
This is a tricky one. There's no doubting Atwood's ability as a writer; her prose is consistently elegant (although I do have a few reservations about some incongruous vernacular, such as the repeated use of the word "nicked" when describing theft, but perhaps I'm being picky), and her descriptive powers are notable. The problem I have with this work is that it lacks synergy. Quite the opposite is in fact the case, with the whole falling short of the sum of the parts.

As a dynastic record, following the ups and downs of the prominent Canadian family at the book's core, the novel works well in an episodic way. The two sister's lives are chronicled with wit and poignancy. There is, however, a good deal of predictability to their fates. This is the story of a privileged family behaving in a manner to which most readers will be accustomed. Because of this familiarity the novel as a whole is not as successful as it might have been. There's much to recommend this book but there could have been so much more.

As an overall package this book warrants three stars, but, due to the high quality of the writing it earns four.

Blindingly beautiful, 09 Aug 2008
The Blind Assassin is spellbinding, haunting and bewitching. Atwood's gloriously conrolled use of poignant and delicate prose encapsulates love, passion and loss throughout three time periods with a true understanding of the human spirit which makes for a timeless and unforgetable piece of literature.
Not since Guy de Maupassant has an author managed to so untterly captivate my imagination and utterly absorb me into their imaginings. Atwood's intricately constructed narrative weaves seamlessly in and out of time and landscape involving the reader so intensely it is almost disappointing when the story finally reaches it's powerfully emotional conclusion. The novel is not only readable, it is hard not to be 'read' back by it; the characters are not only so beautifully defined as to be believed but are also so real as to be empathised with.
I was sorry to finish this book, it left me breathless and moved in a way that few others before have managed and deserves to become a 'classic' in every sense of the word.

An enduring masterpiece, 24 Mar 2008
Sometimes, when reading a big book, one gets the feeling that the author set out to achieve size, as if that in itself might suggest certain adjectives from a reader or reviewer - weighty, significant, deep, serious, complex, extensive, perhaps. Sometimes - rarely, in fact - one reads a big book and becomes lost in its size, lost in the sense that one ceases to notice the hundreds passing by, as the work creates its own time, defines its own experience, shares its own world. Even then, reaching the end can often be merely trite, just a running out of steam, the process thoroughly engaging, the product, however, something of a let down. Rarely, very rarely indeed, one reads a big book that actually needs its size, justifies itself, continues to surprise as well as enchant and then, finally, stuns. Margaret Atwood's Blind Assassin is such a book, a giant in every sense, a masterpiece beyond question.

Blind Assassin was awarded the Booker prize in 2000 and charts intersecting histories of two well-to-do Canadian families, Chase and Griffen. The two Chase sisters, Iris and Laura, are quite different people. Born into the relative opulence of a Canadian manufacturing family, they have a private education of sorts, experienced throughout and yet alongside something vaguely like a childhood. Various aspects of twentieth century history impinge upon their lives and eventually force their family to reassess its status. Economic downturn, war and family tragedy take their toll on the father, who becomes less able to manage either his own life or his business. Something has to give. Ways of coping must be found.

Iris, the elder sister, is the first person narrator of about half of the book, the other half being devoted to a book within a book, a novel in the name of Laura, the younger sister. This novel, entitled The Blind Assassin, is an eclectic mix of experience, sex, fantasy and politics. It has made a name for Laura and retains a significant cult following many years after its publication. Laura, herself, died in a car accident. She drove off a bridge into a ravine. The car belonged to Iris. There was never any real explanation for the event.

Iris, meanwhile, has been married off to an older man, a Griffen, who seems to treat her like so much chattel. But then he is an industrialist with the wherewithal, not to mention capital, to assist the bride's family business in its time of need. Iris, therefore, experiences the Canadian equivalent of an arranged marriage. Perhaps the word marriage is a little overstated. The partnership could be better described as a merger, or a union, if that were not a dirty word because of its political connotation.

And so the octogenarian Iris, clearly anticipating the end of her days, embarks upon a cathartic outpouring of personal and family history in the hope that an estranged granddaughter might just understand a little about other peoples' motives.

The book takes us through Canada and north America, across to Europe, via an imagined universe, to political commitment, direct action and its inevitable reaction. Iris needs to write it all down. And so she works her story out, constructing it, perhaps