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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
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
Really interesting collection of short stories. I like some more than others, but the writing was so immersive. I was impressed by how quickly she was able to write a new world with all new (to me) characters.
In recent years, the great Margaret Atwood has been adding to the oeuvre of what one might call "geriatric fiction" if that adjective weren't seen as pejorative. Most of the stories in Stone Mattress are about elderly individuals, looking back on their lives, with concerns and circumstances that only the aged face. And why not? Atwood herself is no spring chicken (to coin a phrase) and literature whose protagonists are modern-day old people is scarce and, as far as I know, mostly written about male characters. (And I don't really know. I'm thinking about the mid-century misogynists, the giants whose characters became old as they did. It's quite possible that I'm missing other examples.) Good for Atwood, say I. Growing old is part of the human experience that people do not want to talk about--advanced age is stigmatized and difficult and often humiliating and many people would prefer to ignore the fact that decrepitude and death will come for their loved ones and themselves. These difficulties should be written about. Atwood reminds the reader that old people are still plenty human. The stories are no more uncomfortable than any of her other work.
This was an incredibly enjoyable collection of short stories, although generally on the morbid side. That doesn't seem to be too uncommon with [a:Margaret Atwood|3472|Margaret Atwood|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1282859073p2/3472.jpg].
The first three stories involve the same characters, a fantasy author, her former 60s beau who became a well regarded poet, and another woman who completed the unhappy love triangle. These stories really complemented and enriched each other, although each of them was self-sufficient.
There was also a great reprise of the characters from [b:The Robber Bride|17650|The Robber Bride|Margaret Atwood|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388263287l/17650._SY75_.jpg|1119196]: Charis, Roz, Tony, and Zenia.
Several of the stories involved writers, but it never was unwelcome. Great collection of newer work from one of my favorite authors. Also, a fair share of untranslated Latin makes its way into the collection, showing how rusty my skills have become.
Gave away a copy for the Short Story Book Club holiday book exchange 12/17/23. Hopefully Alexa likes it as much as I did.
The first three stories involve the same characters, a fantasy author, her former 60s beau who became a well regarded poet, and another woman who completed the unhappy love triangle. These stories really complemented and enriched each other, although each of them was self-sufficient.
There was also a great reprise of the characters from [b:The Robber Bride|17650|The Robber Bride|Margaret Atwood|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388263287l/17650._SY75_.jpg|1119196]: Charis, Roz, Tony, and Zenia.
Several of the stories involved writers, but it never was unwelcome. Great collection of newer work from one of my favorite authors. Also, a fair share of untranslated Latin makes its way into the collection, showing how rusty my skills have become.
Gave away a copy for the Short Story Book Club holiday book exchange 12/17/23. Hopefully Alexa likes it as much as I did.
I liked these sometimes fantastical short stories about old age, sex, revenge, and everything else.
I often worry when I read Margaret Atwood. Her dystopia feels like it's just one twist away from happening. Wonderfully disturbing.
Definitely a mixed bag of stories in this collection. The first three feature characters with interconnected narratives and personal histories; they were a bit hard for me to really get into, and/or I couldn't identify or sympathize with any of the characters.
As for the remaining six stories, they were for the most part enjoyable. Nothing knocked my socks off, but they were in general worth the read.
As for the remaining six stories, they were for the most part enjoyable. Nothing knocked my socks off, but they were in general worth the read.
I think I might like Atwood short stories even better than novels. This mix of stories covers territory both familiar and wildly inventive. Give it a try. I'm guessing you'll find a hero or two to root for.
Nine tales ( rather than stories), some of which have been published elsewhere. All well written as is the norm when reading Margaret Atwood!
I would have liked more interconnection in a collection of tales, but enjoyed the stand-alone short stories as much as those loosely connected.
I would have liked more interconnection in a collection of tales, but enjoyed the stand-alone short stories as much as those loosely connected.
Really enjoyable collection. It was nice to revisit the characters from The Robber Bride and meet some new characters too.
This collection of short stories is woven through with the common threads of sex, aging, death, and poetry. While I dislike poetry and thought the whole thing together was oversexed, it's easy to admit that Atwood is an incredibly talented and gripping writer. While I didn't always like the stories, Atwood had me enthralled, my heart pounding, needing to know what happened next even if the feelings I was having were not the feelings I wanted. I would definitely recommend this for lovers of short fiction, poetry, and unsettling yet marvelously written tales.