Oryx and Crake Summary

The story unfolds with a man known as Snowman, who appears to be the only surviving human after a mysterious disaster, the cause of which is initially unknown. He exists in a desolate, post-apocalyptic world, accompanied only by a group of genetically unique individuals, known as the "Children of Crake" whom he oversees. Throughout the book, the narrative oscillates between Snowman's current circumstances and his past life when he was called Jimmy.

In the past, Jimmy's parents worked for OrganInc Farms, a company that specialized in growing affordable human organs. However, his mother became disillusioned with their work, leading to friction within the family and her eventual disappearance. During this time, Jimmy developed a friendship with a fellow student Crake, who excelled in fields Jimmy struggled with. After graduating, Jimmy pursued a career in advertising while Crake became a bioengineer, leading to a drift in their friendship. Crake developed a pill named BlyssPluss, designed to enhance libido and secretly render people infertile, and initiated a confidential project to create a new human species, the Crakers.

In the present, Snowman cares for the Crakers and embarks on a dangerous journey to a former workplace to gather much-needed supplies. The story also reveals that Jimmy's mother was executed, leading him into a deep depression until Crake offered him a job at RejoovenEsense. Here, Jimmy met Oryx, a woman from his past whom Crake had hired to teach the Crakers. Jimmy and Oryx began a secret affair, but a global plague outbreak linked to the BlyssPluss pills interrupts their lives. Crake kills Oryx, and Jimmy responds by killing Crake. Jimmy, now Snowman, guides the Crakers to a new home by the sea. In the end, Snowman discovers other human survivors and contemplates his next move.