MaddAddam is the final book in Margaret Atwood’s trilogy of the same name. Like its predecessors, the novel takes place in a world of climate change, the aftermath of a deadly plague, and the consequences of genetic engineering. While Oryx and Crake was Jimmy aka Snowman’s story and The Year of the Flood focused on Toby and Ren’s stories, MaddAddam is primarily about Zeb – the enigmatic, rough and tumble, somewhat shady character we met in The Year of the Flood.
Zeb’s backstory is told by Toby as he shares it with her as their relationship develops. It becomes material for the nightly stories for the Crakers – Glenn/Crake’s genetically engineered race – in a tradition began by Oryz, continued by Jimmy and now carried on by Toby. This is interwoven with the development of a new culture of survivors, the Crakers, and genetically engineered animals.
MaddAddam, like its predecessors, is a novel of perseverance and survival. It’s both strange and alien while simultaneously familiar world. Atwood is a wonderful writer who keeps us engaged throughout the three books. I’m glad I revisited the series. You might enjoy it too.
