A Handsmaid's Tale.....I just read this.and was blown away.

I love The Handmaid's Tale! Did it for A Level and have just finished an essay on it for university - and the fact that I still love it after all that is surely testament to its greatness.

I read somewhere that Moira is supposed to remind the reader of Moira from The Red Shoes who danced herself to death?

Another one here who read more when my babies were small than at any other time in my life. The endless endless hours breastfeeding were perfect for it. "Darling, I'd really love to cook dinner / peg out the washing / take the toddler to the park but unfortunately I am pinned to this comfy sofa feeding the baby. Pass me my book on your way past "

Ooh! I will have to get my stalker gear in readiness then

I've actually seen her a couple of times at a book festival near me (which probably doesn't surprise you ) and she didn't disappoint me at all, so if you can I'd recommend going to the reading. She's very witty.

The thing about her style is also that it changes with every book - along with the genre - so you never really know what you are going to get. Mind you, there is an underlying style that runs through them all too.
She is coming to do a reading in the city near where I live soon so I too will be stalking I suspect. I am a bit scared to go too. Sometimes those we admire are not "all that" in the flesh so maybe it is better to keep them at a distance!

Ah sorry carrots - must read thread properly. I've come to the conclusion that maybe Margaret Atwood is a bit of an acquired taste. Like olives. Or blue cheese. She has a very distinctive style, I think. God, I do sound like her stalker, don't I?!

To demonstrate that I'm not just an Atwood groupie, and do in fact read other authors, I'm currently reading The Red Queen by Margaret Drabble. Not far into it but loving it so far.

I loved The Handmaid's Tale Serena - it was The Blind Assassin that took me a while to get into - just incase I was misunderstood.

I am in a book group where I live but I am wary of suggesting The Handmaid's Tale as it is quite disturbing imho and I am not sure what sort of group it is yet - wine and blether or robust discussion.

But I've ordered one that sleeps through, SGM! It will also pop out painlessly when I cough, will never have a tantrum, and will learn how to bring me a snack by the time it's two.

[sticks head back in sand]

Thanks sethstark - it's nice to hear something other than 'you'll never read another book till the baby goes to uni'!

That's an interesting point carrots - I recommended The Handmaid's Tale to someone, and was quite surprised when they weren't very keen on it! I hadn't really considered that it might not be everyone's cup of tea.

Not my most enjoyed Margaret Atwood by a long shot but that is the thing with books. It depends where we were ourselves at the time doesn't it. I have loved a book on first reading and loathed it on rereading and vice versa. I have been unable to read a book and loved it six months later.

I loved it! I was putting it up for best margaret attwood book suggestions

It was completely different and I remember it did throw me a bit but I also remember I did enjoy it once I got going.

I don't remember much about it now though as it was pre dcs. [soup for brains emoticon]

Did you not like it?

I think I read it one summer holiday from school (when I was a teacher not a pupil). Iirc it was a gift and I worked with the person who gave it to me so I felt I had to read it and was glad when I did.

What about the blind assasin carrots ?

SerenaJoy - I did loads of reading when my dcs were small because of the hours and hours of breastfeeding.
If you can type one-handed without dropping the baby you will be fine at bookclub.

I have read all of Margaret Atwood's books and short stories (the ones published in GB anyway) at least once and have loved them all for different reasons but The Handmaid's Tale remains my favourite (Cat's Eye comes a close second - I am rereading it just now.)

Obviously I love it too (hence the name). My high school English teacher recommended I read it and it made such an impression on me. Have stalked been a fan of Margaret Atwood ever since. Cat's Eye is also excellent, as is the Blind Assassin of course.

I also love The Bloody Chamber AND Northanger Abbey. The book club sounds like my cup of tea but as I'm expecting DC1 in June I think it's probably the wrong time of my life to join. Maybe once the baby's a few weeks old and sleeping from 7pm -7am. (They do that, right?)

Thanks for the pm SGM. Shameless promotion of all things Canadian :)

Shall we do it after Northanger Abbey? I know the Valley of the Dolls had been suggested but I'd be happy to change?

Actually I haven't read the book but went to see the opera (at the English National Opera so in English) a couple of years ago. It was very modern but thought provoking!

if anyone's based near Swindon, the Swindon Feminist Network are discussing A Handmaid's Tale this month in their book club on Wed 27th April. 8pm at Lower Shaw Farm, all welcome. Just thought I'd butt in....