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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
Atwood is a master at planting themes and imagery and then skillfully weaving them through this story to full resolution at the end. I was a little puzzled by the layout of the novel but was convinced by Part 4 that it was told in the chronological order that was most appropriate. For all of the comedic drama that was created, I was pleasantly relieved with the narrator’s relatively quiet exit, even if the exposition felt a little rushed.
Overall, line by line, this was one of the most enjoyable books I’ve ever read.
Overall, line by line, this was one of the most enjoyable books I’ve ever read.
So much fun reading These early books for the first time., one can see how Ms Atwood's mischievous mind eventually got to MadAdam and the gang. If you don't find this book hilarious, you're simply not old enough!
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The description of this book definitely sounded interesting to me, but I wasn't sure how much I'd like another early Atwood novel after not really getting in to Surfacing after re-reading it fairly recently. I found Lady Oracle much more entertaining than Surfacing, but it also kind of foreshadows or anticipates some of Atwood's later novels (and some of my favorites).
I love Gothic novels, so the idea that Joan, the protagonist, writes "Costume Gothics" in secret was a really cool premise for me. I liked how Atwood played with the ideas of fantasy and escape throughout the novel. The complexity of those themes and the different iterations throughout the novel, both the story of Joan's own life and the stories she writes in her fantasy novels, is a trademark of Atwood's style. Another feature of Atwood's style that I appreciate is the attention to metafiction / metanarrative. In that realm. Lady Oracle is a much earlier, more comic version of what Atwood would later perfect in her Booker Prize winning The Blind Assassin, which takes the story-within-a-story concept even further and with even more compelling results.
Another novel I couldn't help but be reminded of early in Lady Oracle is Atwood's Cat's Eye. The latter novel features a similar trajectory in terms of the protagonist's childhood relationships with a group of girls and they way she is victimized by them. Cat's Eye takes this them much further, but I could see the narrative about Joan's early life as a sort of early, more straightforward draft of what would be developed and intensified in Cat's Eye.
Although Atwood's novels often feature a wryly witty voice (even The Handmaid's Tale, dark as it is, has some sly, sardonic humor to it at times), Lady Oracle is more obvious in its humor. The narrator's personality, as another reviewer mentioned I believe, borders on clown-like at times, and so it seems part of her role to entertain the reader and often to make fun of her own flaws. There are some other ridiculous characters, too, like the Royal Porcupine and Paul, whose exaggerated personalities make for some solid laughs and allow Joan to temporarily live in her fantasies.
Overall, I really enjoyed Lady Oracle. I am giving it 4/5 stars simply because I have such high standards for Atwood novels at this point, and though this one is entertaining, intriguing, and very strongly-written, I would not place it above The Blind Assassin, Cat's Eye, or The Handmaid's Tale.
I love Gothic novels, so the idea that Joan, the protagonist, writes "Costume Gothics" in secret was a really cool premise for me. I liked how Atwood played with the ideas of fantasy and escape throughout the novel. The complexity of those themes and the different iterations throughout the novel, both the story of Joan's own life and the stories she writes in her fantasy novels, is a trademark of Atwood's style. Another feature of Atwood's style that I appreciate is the attention to metafiction / metanarrative. In that realm. Lady Oracle is a much earlier, more comic version of what Atwood would later perfect in her Booker Prize winning The Blind Assassin, which takes the story-within-a-story concept even further and with even more compelling results.
Another novel I couldn't help but be reminded of early in Lady Oracle is Atwood's Cat's Eye. The latter novel features a similar trajectory in terms of the protagonist's childhood relationships with a group of girls and they way she is victimized by them. Cat's Eye takes this them much further, but I could see the narrative about Joan's early life as a sort of early, more straightforward draft of what would be developed and intensified in Cat's Eye.
Although Atwood's novels often feature a wryly witty voice (even The Handmaid's Tale, dark as it is, has some sly, sardonic humor to it at times), Lady Oracle is more obvious in its humor. The narrator's personality, as another reviewer mentioned I believe, borders on clown-like at times, and so it seems part of her role to entertain the reader and often to make fun of her own flaws. There are some other ridiculous characters, too, like the Royal Porcupine and Paul, whose exaggerated personalities make for some solid laughs and allow Joan to temporarily live in her fantasies.
Overall, I really enjoyed Lady Oracle. I am giving it 4/5 stars simply because I have such high standards for Atwood novels at this point, and though this one is entertaining, intriguing, and very strongly-written, I would not place it above The Blind Assassin, Cat's Eye, or The Handmaid's Tale.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love Margaret Atwood. I've read many of her books at this point: Handmaid's Tale, Robber Bride, Oryx & Crake, Year of the Flood, Blind Assassin, and The Penelopiad. I think I like her "issue" books a little better--Handmaid's Tale is a standout for direct political speech. Still, there's a lot to think about in Lady Oracle.
The story centers around Joan Foster, who fakes her own death to escape her life. The book leaps around in time and focuses on the many different parts of herself that the protagonist is trying to reconcile into a complete self. I loved the way Joan's body image issues were personified into an actual Fat Lady figure that she would imagine coming out and engaging in outrageous public performances. Atwood is simply a master at capturing some of the uncomfortable inner dialogue of her characters.
Strangely, the character of The Royal Porcupine so strongly reminded me of Paris from [b:The Blindfold|125496|The Blindfold|Siri Hustvedt|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317792997s/125496.jpg|1163811] by [a:Siri Hustvedt|40851|Siri Hustvedt|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1262566327p2/40851.jpg] that I almost wondered if it wasn't an intentional reference by Hustvedt. I think it must be just coincidence that I happened to read these two novels close in time to one another, but it was almost eerie.
I recommend this book to Atwood's fans. For those who aren't already fans, I think I'd start with one of her more famous works like A Handmaid's Tale.
The story centers around Joan Foster, who fakes her own death to escape her life. The book leaps around in time and focuses on the many different parts of herself that the protagonist is trying to reconcile into a complete self. I loved the way Joan's body image issues were personified into an actual Fat Lady figure that she would imagine coming out and engaging in outrageous public performances. Atwood is simply a master at capturing some of the uncomfortable inner dialogue of her characters.
Strangely, the character of The Royal Porcupine so strongly reminded me of Paris from [b:The Blindfold|125496|The Blindfold|Siri Hustvedt|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317792997s/125496.jpg|1163811] by [a:Siri Hustvedt|40851|Siri Hustvedt|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1262566327p2/40851.jpg] that I almost wondered if it wasn't an intentional reference by Hustvedt. I think it must be just coincidence that I happened to read these two novels close in time to one another, but it was almost eerie.
I recommend this book to Atwood's fans. For those who aren't already fans, I think I'd start with one of her more famous works like A Handmaid's Tale.
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“I planned my death carefully. . .”
Who would not be hooked on those first 5 words of the novel Lady Oracle by Margaret Atwood? Especially with the knowledge I have about a recent read (which I won’t say because it will give away part of the book, but those of you who have also read it recently know what I’m talking about!!!!).
Joan is a gothic romance author who has hidden her entire life from her true being. She was a very overweight child who never was happy and hid her true feelings from her friends. Joan hid her old self from her husband Arthur, as well as hiding the fact that she wrote these gothic romance novels.
Joan has faked her death, and as you read Lady Oracle, you find out more about Joan’s true self, and all of the lies she has told.
The big question is: Will Joan ever be honest and accept herself for who she is?
I read Lady Oracle for my own altered version of Project Atwood, for my November read. Atwood did not disappoint. Once again, she wrote a fabulous novel, one I loved reading from start to finish.
Haven’t read a book by Atwood? I suggest starting here, with Lady Oracle, or with The Handmaid’s Tale, which I recently realized is my favorite book.
What is your favorite Margaret Atwood novel?
Thanks for reading,
Rebecca @ Love at First Book
Who would not be hooked on those first 5 words of the novel Lady Oracle by Margaret Atwood? Especially with the knowledge I have about a recent read (which I won’t say because it will give away part of the book, but those of you who have also read it recently know what I’m talking about!!!!).
Joan is a gothic romance author who has hidden her entire life from her true being. She was a very overweight child who never was happy and hid her true feelings from her friends. Joan hid her old self from her husband Arthur, as well as hiding the fact that she wrote these gothic romance novels.
Joan has faked her death, and as you read Lady Oracle, you find out more about Joan’s true self, and all of the lies she has told.
The big question is: Will Joan ever be honest and accept herself for who she is?
I read Lady Oracle for my own altered version of Project Atwood, for my November read. Atwood did not disappoint. Once again, she wrote a fabulous novel, one I loved reading from start to finish.
Haven’t read a book by Atwood? I suggest starting here, with Lady Oracle, or with The Handmaid’s Tale, which I recently realized is my favorite book.
What is your favorite Margaret Atwood novel?
Thanks for reading,
Rebecca @ Love at First Book