This book has been recommended by Amatsu (on the forum). Margaret Atwood, author of The Handmaid’s Tale, Oryx and Crake now brings us a book about the near and possible future, yes the future, but she doesn’t want her books to be categorised as Sci Fi, which is a bit snobby to me, there’s nothing wrong with good science fiction. The flood in the title isn’t the biblical Noah kind of flood, rather it’s an nameless disease that has wiped out most of humanity. And in this post-apocalyptic world everything to do with science or technology is run by corporations, you can draw comparisons with 1984, without the complete control, because lawlessness is rife and genetic engineering rampant. With this as a backdrop a group of people are attempting to defend their beliefs and way of life in spite of this breakdown of civilisation. The story is told through two women, with their past and present stories, the men in the story simply play their alloted roles. At times it’s violent, and disturbing, but it does make you think about where we’re going, why we’re going there, and what are we going to do when we get there. “But Man alone seeks Vengefulness,And writes his abstract Laws on stone;For this false Justice he has made,He tortures limb and crushes bone.Is this the image of a god? My tooth for yours, your eye for mine? Oh, if Revenge did move the stars, Instead of Love, they would not shine.” You can read an extract of this book here: The Year of the Flood If you would like to discuss this book with me, please visit the Books and Poetry forum .
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