The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood
Reviewed by: Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist
Genre: Dystopian Fiction
Suggested Age: Adults
What is the book about?: The Year of the Flood is the second novel in Margaret Atwood’s Maddaddam trilogy. This dystopian book takes place during the same timeline as Oryx and Crake, the first novel in this series. While the narrative of Oryx and Crake focuses on Jimmy, The Year of the Flood shifts perspectives to others who have survived the waterless flood. Ren, a trapeze dancer at the Scales and Tales club, is one of these survivors. She was once a member of God’s Gardeners, an eco-friendly religious sect. Through Ren’s eyes, we get some flashbacks to what the world was like for the Gardeners before the flood. They sheltered individuals who were brutally victimized, including Toby, another important character. While among the Gardeners, Toby became an Eve 6 as well as a healer and beekeeper. She had to go into hiding right before the flood, though, and barricaded herself in a spa. While we hope that Toby and Ren will escape confinement, their survival in the postdiluvian world is fraught with danger, both from the genetically hybridized animals that now roam free and the vicious Painballers who threaten violence.
My Review: Oryx and Crake ended with a cliffhanger and I wanted to know what happened next. The Year of the Flood does not pick up right where the previous novel left off. The reader does have to wait for quite a while for this payoff. But, this payoff happens. Along the way the world becomes more developed and rich. The thing that I most enjoyed was getting the two female perspectives. Atwood shows that the strength of their friendship gets them through the terrible things they must endure. I also enjoyed her dark humor and satire. As far removed as this future seems, Atwood states that every aspect of technology and bioengineering is possible in our present.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Engrossing, Futuristic, Exotic
Give This a Try if You Like… Dystopian or post-apocalyptic novels, Ursula Le Guin, Octavia Butler
Rating: 5/5
About FDL Reads
Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!