I had been waiting a long time to finally read Oryx and Crake and I was not disappointed. I wanted to read more of Atwood's novels because I've only read The Handmaid's Tale (also excellent) and I seem to be attached to dystopian novels :-). 
 Oryx and Crake takes place in a completely destroyed world that was once Earth and it is told from the POV of Snowman, once known as Jimmy. He takes the reader through his present struggles trying to survive in a world full of Crakers, a genetically designed human species that are beautiful, disease-resistant, and completely devoid of human emotions and experience. That is to say, certain parts of their brains have been "cut out" (the desire to grow food, the desire for war, jealousy, etc). Snowman takes us through his memories, back to when he first met Crake and saw Oryx, and how the destruction of the futuristic Earth occurred. Lots of genetic testing and splicing, which left me feeling queasy at times (whether from the descriptions or the idea that these things could happen one day, I'm not sure). 
 The only thing that makes thus novel 4 stars instead of 5 for me is the abruptness of the ending, as well as Snowman's relationship with Oryx. Her character seems to exist more in Snowman's memory than as an actual person he knew. But then again, she has an aura of mystery around her from the beginning. 
 Overall, this was an engrossing read and I can't wait to read the next installment: The Year of the Flood.