A Review of Margaret Atwood’s Maddaddam


Maddaddam is
the third book in a Margaret Atwood apocalyptic science fiction trilogy that
began with Oryx and Crake, followed by a prequel, The Year of the Flood. Maddaddam
is a sequel to both of the earlier books.

The novels are set in a future that could be just around
the corner. The Year of the Flood is
set in a world on the brink of collapse due to environment degradation and the rampant
and totally unethical business operations of a mega multi-national. Everything
has been privatised, including law enforcement, and government welfare services
are non-existent.

The story revolves around a commune of refugees from the
world, who live in an abandoned apartment block. They grow food on its rooftop and
recycle the detritus of
society. The commune is led by Addam, who is set on getting his followers ready
for the inevitable collapse of civilisation. Much of the story concerns Toby, a
woman who escapes to the commune to avoid certain rape and murder at the fast
food restaurant where she had worked. 

Oryx and Crake
is set after a virus, created by scientific genius Crake, decimates the
population of the world. Only a few humans survive along with a small group of
a new species of genetically engineered humans. A species created by Crake, so
they are called Crackers. They are resistant to the plague. The Crackers are a
gentle and innocent species that don’t require clothing and eat the abundant
genetically engineered foliage that has spread across the planet. The Crackers
have built in defences like urine that warns off dangerous animals, and they
have a big desire to procreate. 

Oryx and Crake
achieved the rare distinction of a being science fiction novel that was short-listed
for the Booker prize.

In Maddaddam
Toby and Zeb join up with the Crackers to survive the threat of Painballers – drug
addicted psychopathic killers created for the future’s violent entertainments. But
Maddaddam is not just an thriller/adventure
novel, it is a contemplation on the propensity of humans to destroy themselves
and the world around them. The novel asks if the world would be a better place
without humans, instead filled with a more community minded and environmentally
friendly species like the Crackers. A world were a less dominate main life form
is on more of a level playing field with other genetically engineered animals. 

Maddaddam differs
from the other two novels in the trilogy with its humour. Much of the humour is
provided by the naive interactions of the Crackers with the humans.  The Crackers lack of understanding of human
emotions such as greed, lead to many questions that can only be answered with
concepts unfamiliar to them.

As with The Year of
the Flood
, Toby is a very engrossing main character. She has the strength of
mind to do what she thinks is right, while dealing with many personal
insecurities, especially around her relationship with Zeb. She appears to be
the opposite polar of Zeb, who is full of bravado of what he has done to
survive.

As usual, Atwood’s prose flows like a gentle meandering
creek. She is so easy to read. This would have helped Maddaddam top a Goodreads’ poll as the best science fiction novel
of 2013. 

Maddaddam ends
the trilogy with hope. Hope for an Earth that might rebound and sustainably provide
the needs for all its life forms, including the few surviving humans. It is a worthy
final book in an engrossing and thought provoking trilogy, one of the best
science fiction apocalyptic series ever written.

The novels all have the added advantage of being standalone
volumes without obvious hanging endings requiring the reading of another novel.

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