The Year of the Flood is the sequel to the brilliant Oryx and Crake and although we are on familiar ground with Atwood creating a bleak, post-apocalyptic, futuristic backdrop, the novel feels fresh and exciting. The story revolves around two female characters, Toby and Ren, who believe themselves to be some of the only survivors of a natural disaster. The voices of the two women are strong and convincing, evoking both interest in their plight and lives and sympathy for their situation. Atwood creates a strange world full of unusual, imaginative detail that is eerily and worryingly believable. Atwood's narrative has the potential to shock, excite and amuse in equal turn but the non-eventful story does move along a little slowly for my taste. If you are a devoted Atwood fan then this book is an essential read. If however you want a story that has more twists and turns then perhaps you should give this very well written book a miss.