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Original poster

Margaret Atwood

23 replies

sykes · 30/03/2004 09:52

Has anyone read her new book - haven't read any of her books for a long time but am sure I used to enjoy most of them. Also, just about to start The Good Women of China by Xinran - anyone read this?

OP posts:
ks · 30/03/2004 10:39

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Original poster
sykes · 30/03/2004 10:53

when was that published - just saw a book I didn't recognise in Waterstones - it's in paperback so maybe it's the one you've read??

OP posts:
Marina · 30/03/2004 10:57

Oryx and Crake. Ks and I disagreed on this one, I found it a scary and challenging read but saw it through to the end. V v v depressing though...

Posey · 30/03/2004 20:07

I'm with ks on that one. Just couldn't get on with it.
Have loved everything else I've read of hers.

AussieSim · 31/03/2004 18:07

She is my fav author but I also didn't make it thru Oryx and Crake.

Evita · 31/03/2004 20:30

I haven't read Oryx and Crake but have read all the others and loved them, especially 'Cat's Eye.' I'm going to get her new one when it's out in paperback.

littletree · 09/04/2004 07:03

Loved the Handmaid (ens?) Tale- and The Blind Assassin... Both read a few years ago, but highly recommend!

Demented · 09/04/2004 15:11

Oooh picked The Blind Assassin up in a charity shop yesterday. Glad to hear it is good.

expatkat · 09/04/2004 15:48

I'm keen to read the Blind Assassin. I hope someone picks it for a future book club. (hint hint!)

Freddiecat · 10/04/2004 18:51

Tell you what expatkat - how about we have another Booker prize list later in the year to choose from and I'll put Blind Assassin on that!

I bought that and the Handmaids Tale a few months ago and read them and both are excellent and very different which is probably what makes her such an amazing author IMO.

Handmaids Tale is really weird.

expatkat · 10/04/2004 19:02

Thanks, Freddie

littletree · 10/04/2004 19:58

Thanks for refreshing my memory Freddiecat- yes HandMAIDS Tale- depleted post-prego braincells in full force- I agree Handmaids Tale very weird but somehow unputdownable for me...

Demented · 10/04/2004 22:31

Oooh, I'll keep the Blind Assassin for then, hopefully it will be picked.

florenceuk · 29/04/2004 11:29

OK, just finished Oryx and Crake. I liked it, but then I used to love reading science fiction, which is what this is (admittedly much better written than some of what I used to read). I find it interesting that she can and wants to write scifi (Handmaids Tale, bits of Blind Assassin), unlike some writers who just stick to one genre. Having said that, it is probably not one of her best.

My favourite Margaret Atwood is still Alias Grace which is completely different - highly recommended. I think it is superior to the Blind Assassin - what do others think?

lucysmum · 29/04/2004 11:33

Haven't read anything of hers since having kids but loved Handmaidens Tale and think it would be very thought provoking for this particular forum as it is about women, fertility, reproduction from what I remember

Caribbeanqueen · 29/04/2004 11:43

I loved Alias Grace, but somehow can't read any of her others.

Freddiecat · 29/04/2004 13:26

totally agree lucysmum. That whole symbolism thing of the handmaid lying between the wife's legs for the "conception" and then the birthing stool where the wife sits above the woman giving birth to her husband's child - really odd.

alexsmum · 29/04/2004 22:50

Not a member of the book club(do I have to join?)but wanted to join in this discussion. I absolutely LOVE the handmaids tale, what a fantastic book. I found this book quite scary because I could quite imagine it really happening in the USA;push the bush administration a bit further?? I would love to know what happened to her afterwards, what happened to her husband etc.
I have recently finished reading another one of hers, Diary of an Ordinary Woman, and I thought this was excellent too. Finished this wanting to know more,more, MORE!!!! Has anyone else read this? Only problem for me was the title. I don't think she was an ordinary woman at all. Her life was extraordinary for the time.

ks · 29/04/2004 22:56

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sponge · 10/05/2004 15:40

I thought the Handmaid's Tale was one of the most heartbreaking books I've ever read.
Alis Grace is also superb.
I've heard very mixed reports of Oryx and Crake so haven't read it yet but I think I will as I like a bit of Science Fiction too.

Freddiecat · 11/05/2004 14:16

alexsmum- no you don't have to join! just take part in any discussions you want to. look at book lists if you like and join in or not! complete free-for-all

Socci · 15/09/2004 11:33

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maximillion · 23/09/2004 22:25

Have read all and was (maybe still am) a major Atwood fan, but felt let down by Oryx and Crake. A great idea but quite clumsily executed (says me!). After the simplicity and power of Handmaid's Tale, it seemed so forced somehow.

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