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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
For some reason, Goodreads does not want me to review this book. Twice I have written a full review, and twice GR has "disappeared" it. Dare I try again? (Yes. But only because I am using this book for the CBC Books Bingo challenge, which requires writing a review for each book.)
So, I mostly enjoyed these stories about complex women who have private selves unknown to those around them. Many of them are very much underestimated by their loved ones, who see them as transparent and even archetypal (this pattern is reversed in the title story, in which a fleeting moment cracks open Sally's complacent understanding of her Bluebeard's Egg of a husband). Some of these women wish to be known, and some do not; some at least know themselves, and some are surprised by a sudden insight offered by another. There is a very clear current of second-wave feminism running through these stories, though they are not at all political—just very much focused on how women are redefining and reclaiming their own roles, separate from those the men in their lives imagine for them.
For me, the most successful stories here are the ones involving mothers and daughters, perhaps because they are the most universal. I've never regretted any time spent with Atwood's books, however, and this one is not exception.
So, I mostly enjoyed these stories about complex women who have private selves unknown to those around them. Many of them are very much underestimated by their loved ones, who see them as transparent and even archetypal (this pattern is reversed in the title story, in which a fleeting moment cracks open Sally's complacent understanding of her Bluebeard's Egg of a husband). Some of these women wish to be known, and some do not; some at least know themselves, and some are surprised by a sudden insight offered by another. There is a very clear current of second-wave feminism running through these stories, though they are not at all political—just very much focused on how women are redefining and reclaiming their own roles, separate from those the men in their lives imagine for them.
For me, the most successful stories here are the ones involving mothers and daughters, perhaps because they are the most universal. I've never regretted any time spent with Atwood's books, however, and this one is not exception.
The style is rather good, it's Atwood after all, and sometimes there is like a nugget of supercharged truth that feels like she managed to capture the entire human existence, but mostly the stories felt boring and pointless, more style experiments than actual story telling.
challenging
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the first Margaret Atwood book I've read and I really like her writing style. Even though its a collection of mostly autobiographical short stories and technically, not a whole lot happens, most of the 'action' is made of up by fleshing out the characters and making them feel real.
Themes present in Margaret atwood's other work remain present here- parents living ruggedly, the beauty of nature, strong female protagonists, feminist issues. Looking back, there was more here that I enjoyed than not.
Some of it seems a little dated, but atwoods strong writing style remains classic.
I was a little disappointed with the title story in this book. I didn't really understand it. I thought there were other stories that were much stronger but I guess their titles weren't attention grabbing enough?
The last story, 'sunrisers', is one I would revisit as a comfort story, transporting me to a rugged pioneering environmentalist lifestyle.
Some of it seems a little dated, but atwoods strong writing style remains classic.
I was a little disappointed with the title story in this book. I didn't really understand it. I thought there were other stories that were much stronger but I guess their titles weren't attention grabbing enough?
The last story, 'sunrisers', is one I would revisit as a comfort story, transporting me to a rugged pioneering environmentalist lifestyle.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Short stories set in Canada in the 1940s, I think, through 1980s, which are overall about relationships between men and women, and parents/children or mothers and daughters. Themes - the adventurous spirit versus the "passive" spirit; the melancholy of remembering times past; the fascinating depths that might be behind the facade of a seemingly ordinary person; the "not seeing" that sometimes happens when you think you know someone really well; rituals.
There's also something here about how we all make up stories about our pasts, to make our pasts appear to have some meaningful narrative; and something about how we even make up things as we go along, to fit some narrative of our life we envision. A cautionary tale - be careful what you envision.
Beautifully written of course - and a little melancholy overall, as to tone.
Caution - if you don't want to read about any animal death, don't read "Uglypuss."
There's also something here about how we all make up stories about our pasts, to make our pasts appear to have some meaningful narrative; and something about how we even make up things as we go along, to fit some narrative of our life we envision. A cautionary tale - be careful what you envision.
Beautifully written of course - and a little melancholy overall, as to tone.
Caution - if you don't want to read about any animal death, don't read "Uglypuss."
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I read the first half of these stories back in December, and I don’t feel that I remember enough to judge the collection as a whole. But, judging from my highlights, it’s the first half that spoke to me, especially the story “Significant Moments in the Life of My Mother,” which seems at least semi-autobiographical, as do the other stories about the aging parents of first-person narrators.
Despite those highlights, I think it’s only the title story I'd reread one day. It's told from the point-of-view of a third wife taking a folklore class and contemplating writing a Bluebeard story with her husband as inspiration. [a:Helen Oyeyemi|80808|Helen Oyeyemi|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1712067579p2/80808.jpg] cites it as an inspiration for [b:Mr. Fox|10335337|Mr. Fox|Helen Oyeyemi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1313998352l/10335337._SY75_.jpg|15237931] and that's the reason I picked up this book in the first place.
Despite those highlights, I think it’s only the title story I'd reread one day. It's told from the point-of-view of a third wife taking a folklore class and contemplating writing a Bluebeard story with her husband as inspiration. [a:Helen Oyeyemi|80808|Helen Oyeyemi|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1712067579p2/80808.jpg] cites it as an inspiration for [b:Mr. Fox|10335337|Mr. Fox|Helen Oyeyemi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1313998352l/10335337._SY75_.jpg|15237931] and that's the reason I picked up this book in the first place.