Summary of the work - Sykalo Eugen 2023

Short summary - The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood

"The Year of the Flood" is a dystopian science fiction novel that tells a captivating story of survival in a world that has been ravaged by a deadly virus. The novel is authored by Margaret Atwood, a renowned Canadian writer who is well known for her works in the literary world. The book explores the themes of environmentalism, religion, and the human condition, and it is divided into several parts, each of which tells the story of a different character or group of characters.

In Part One, we are introduced to Ren and Toby, two women who have managed to survive in a harsh new reality brought about by the virus outbreak. They are both members of a religious cult known as the Gardeners, who believe in the sanctity of nature and strive to live in harmony with the environment. Ren is a young woman who has grown up within the Gardeners' community, while Toby is an older woman who has joined the group after fleeing an abusive relationship.

In Part Two, we learn more about the Gardeners and their beliefs. We are introduced to their leader, Adam One, who is a spiritual and environmental visionary. We see how the group has evolved over time and how they have adapted to life after the virus outbreak. We also learn about the dangers of the outside world, where corporations rule and the rich live in luxury while the poor suffer.

Part Three takes us back in time to before the virus outbreak, where we meet a man named Jimmy, who will later become known as Snowman. Jimmy is a friend of Ren's and is also connected to Toby's past. We see how Jimmy's life slowly unravels as the world around him becomes more and more chaotic. We get to know the characters better and how they all intertwine with each other.

In Part Four, we return to the present day and see how Ren and Toby are coping with the aftermath of the virus outbreak. They both find themselves drawn into a dangerous web of corporate greed and political corruption. Ren and Toby are forced to navigate a world that has drastically changed, and they must rely on their survival instincts to stay alive.

In the final part of the book, we see how Ren and Toby's paths intersect with Snowman's, and we learn the truth about what caused the virus outbreak and the fate of the human race. The ending of the novel is thought-provoking and hauntingly beautiful, leaving the reader with a sense of awe and wonder.

Overall, "The Year of the Flood" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys dystopian fiction, science fiction, or is interested in exploring the darker side of human nature. Atwood's writing is both poetic and stark, and the characters she has created are complex and deeply human. The novel is a masterpiece that will stand the test of time and continue to captivate readers for generations to come.