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ismnotwasm

(41,917 posts)
Sun Apr 21, 2013, 08:51 AM Apr 2013

Author Spotlight: Margaret Atwood

Remember the author spotlight of Neil Gaiman? Now it’s the turn of another favourite author of mine: Margaret Atwood.

No doubt you have read something of Atwood’s in your lifetime – from 1970?s The Edible Woman to the 2009 novel The Year of the Flood - part of the incredible MaddAddam series. Or perhaps you’ve tried some of her poetry or short stories. Most likely you’ve read The Handmaid’s Tale – whether through school or because of its integral place in literature.

Over the years, Atwood has won so many awards and been given so many honorary degrees I can’t even begin to list them – so go here if you want to know more. Instead, I am going to swiftly move on to some of my favourite Margaret Atwood books…

The Handmaid’s Tale

The Republic of Gilead offers Offred only one function: to breed.

This is the first time I truly discovered dystopian literature at its best. This is a dark, witty and terrifyingly astute tale of one woman’s imprisonment and desires – and her bravery and honesty. With a deft turn of words, Atwood envelops you in a story that grips you by the throat and doesn’t let go. I had never considered a dystopia – having not experienced 1984 and a few years before my attempt of anything similar (Hothouse was my next step shortly followed by The Road) – and this transfixed me… my next few writing forays explored the art fitfully and without much success. It is Atwood’s skill that creates a brilliant story in The Handmaid’s Tale – a truly impressive dystopia is not blood and guts and zombies, it’s the darkness within – something Atwood explores time and time again.

The Blind Assassin

This sat on the family bookshelf for years before I ever picked it up. The Blind Assassin is another demonstration of Atwood’s incredibly versatile wit and powers of observation. This does come with a warning label though – it’s a bit weird (and when I warn you that this is weird, in Atwood terms, it’s very weird). A heady blend of thriller, humour, science-fiction and romance (the sordid kind), it also won the Booker Prize in 2000. I wouldn’t recommend it as a starting point, but it’s definitely a must-read if you want to get to know Margaret Atwood’s novels.



More: http://inkingsandinklings.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/author-spotlight-margaret-atwood/
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Squinch

(50,773 posts)
1. I LOVE Margaret Atwood. I think she is my favorite contemporary author.
Sun Apr 21, 2013, 09:22 AM
Apr 2013

Thanks for reminding me to go through her backlist again!

CrispyQ

(36,223 posts)
2. Thanks! I'm looking for books to read.
Sun Apr 21, 2013, 09:52 AM
Apr 2013

I've fallen in love with reading fiction again. I force myself to take at least 30 minutes a day & read something besides technical stuff, & I'm loving it! I've read The Handmaid's Tale & Oryx & Crake some time ago. My library has The Year of the Flood & I'm gong to check it out this week.

mopinko

(69,803 posts)
3. an eye like a laser the woman has.
Sun Apr 21, 2013, 10:11 AM
Apr 2013

for her own sex as well- "cat's eye" will remind you of your best friend and your worst enemy.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
5. i am a huge reader. i do not think i can do handmaiden. but, i want to go to library today
Sun Apr 21, 2013, 12:23 PM
Apr 2013

and pick up one of her books. thanks for the reminder. i have been wanting to read her.

Rowdyboy

(22,057 posts)
6. If I could encourage you to read any one book, it would be "The Handmaid's Tale"
Tue Apr 23, 2013, 01:32 AM
Apr 2013

It stands alone in a genre that I deeply love (post-apocalyptic fiction). It is incredible, terrifying, haunting and utterly unforgettable. I've read dystopian nightmares from hell without flinching but this book honestly towers above the rest in one simple way-its a horrifying madness I can actually imagine happening. And its really not that far-fetched which is the most stunning and disturbing part.

I've enjoyed some of her other work, and been unimpressed by others but "Handmaid" stands alone. Please reconsider.

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