After an unintentional series of memoirs, I began The Handmaid’s Tale on International Women’s Day- it seemed appropriate- and couldn’t put it down. Atwood tells a “speculative fiction” story set in the not too distant future where fertility has dwindled and religious fanatics control the government. After they overthrew the government the Sons of Jacob established a theological dictatorship called Gilead. In this new world fertile women, handmaids, are sent to powerful men’s homes if their wives have not been able to produce a child. Offred, literally […]
Sigh, ok Margaret Atwood
I am nothing if not predictable. But if you asked me, would you like a 140 page collection of clever character sketches and thought problems in the form of stories, would you? I think I would say, umm no, I have always always always hated stuff like that. And then if you said, but what it was Margaret Atwood writing them? I would be even more annoyed because I like her long novels a lot. So here we are. I just feel like my time […]
Hell is Empty and All the Devils Are Here
When I first heard of Hogarth’s Shakespeare Series, modern retellings of various Shakespeare plays by various novelists, I was mildly intrigued by the concept. When I first realized that my favorite Shakespeare, The Tempest, was being reinterpreted by Margaret Atwood, I immediately added it to my must-read list….and promptly forgot about it for a couple of months while I waited for it to arrive from the long queue at the library. But at last, it arrived and was promptly devoured within 3 days of reading. […]
$5 of What-the-What
I’m unsure of what exactly about Angel Catbird drew my attention when I picked it up from the discount table at the local Barnes & Noble. I guess the cover art was appealing, the concept struck me as unique, and it was only $5 (plus I had a gift card and a coupon). Written by Margaret Atwood – Yes, that Margaret Atwood of The Handmaiden’s Tale among others – this origin story of Angel Catbird and his half-cat friends (and love interest) is a quick paced read. Often silly […]