Saturday, July 31, 2004

 
A Battle of Science Fiction
Cloud Atlas VS Oryx and Crake
David Mitchell VS Margaret Atwood

Reading books by acclaimed science fiction writers one after another might seem feel create a blur but the distinction between Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas and Atwood’s stories are stylistically different. However, both novels warn us against established authoritarian evils and plutocracy.

Cloud Atlas, which is based upon 6 seemingly separate narrative, are linked to each other through artifices. Adam Ewing’s journal which is based upon his ship travails speaks of slavery and atrocities committed by the Maori against the Moriori. The Luisa Rey mystery charts a paparazzi journalist, her search for the Rufus Sixsmith’s report which reveals the unspeakable hidden findings of Seaboard Corporation’s activities.

On the other hand, Atwood’s Oryx and Crake is a singular plot narrated by Snowman of how the world became what it is. In Atwood’s future, the word is ruled by corporations which destroys old diseases and creates new ones so that cures are found. Scientists “splice” genes and creates creatures such as pigoons and wolvogs for food. Her story is similar to the central story of Cloud Atlas, An Orison of Somni 451, in which a genetically created clone is interviewed by an “archivist”.

Atwood’s writing is concise and direct whereas Mitchell’s style interchange according to time period. Yet, both novels make enjoyable reading, whether you are a sci-fi buff or not.

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