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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
As a whole, this collection is not quite 5 stars for me, though many of the individual stories definitely are.
I loved this collection when I read it years ago. As an angsty teenager, Atwood’s dark world view was right up my alley. Especially in the context of the world’s economic and political climate right now, her pessimism feels truer than ever.
The women in these stories are mostly middle-aged and dissatisfied with the lives they are living. There is a pervasive sense of futility in their relationships and little sense that any significant change is possible.
Anyone who’s ever been in a long-term relationship will recognize the miscommunications and words not spoken that pile up over the years.
This is not a happy collection, but I kind of like the way Atwood shines a light on the dark corners.
My personal favorites:
“Betty” is almost a coming-of-age story, set against the backdrop of the neighbors’ imploding marriage.
“The Grave of the Famous Poet” was hilariously dark. A couple bickers while exploring some ruins and later the woman muses that perhaps she could kill the man. “Instead I brush my teeth, wondering if he’ll ever know how close he came to being murdered....” Wrong? Perhaps, but I laughed out loud several times while reading this one.
“A Travel Piece” features a travel writer, bored with being pleased, who finally finds herself in a situation she’s never encountered.
“The Resplendent Quetzal” paints a depressing picture of regret, blame, and words not spoken.
“Lives of the Poets” explores a woman’s rage.
“Giving Birth” was the jewel in this collection, possibly because so much of it felt like TRUTH (yes, TRUTH in all caps). “She remembers the way women who had babies used to smile at one another, mysteriously, as if there was something they knew that she didn’t, the way they would casually exclude her from their frame of reference.”
I loved this collection when I read it years ago. As an angsty teenager, Atwood’s dark world view was right up my alley. Especially in the context of the world’s economic and political climate right now, her pessimism feels truer than ever.
The women in these stories are mostly middle-aged and dissatisfied with the lives they are living. There is a pervasive sense of futility in their relationships and little sense that any significant change is possible.
Anyone who’s ever been in a long-term relationship will recognize the miscommunications and words not spoken that pile up over the years.
This is not a happy collection, but I kind of like the way Atwood shines a light on the dark corners.
My personal favorites:
“Betty” is almost a coming-of-age story, set against the backdrop of the neighbors’ imploding marriage.
“The Grave of the Famous Poet” was hilariously dark. A couple bickers while exploring some ruins and later the woman muses that perhaps she could kill the man. “Instead I brush my teeth, wondering if he’ll ever know how close he came to being murdered....” Wrong? Perhaps, but I laughed out loud several times while reading this one.
“A Travel Piece” features a travel writer, bored with being pleased, who finally finds herself in a situation she’s never encountered.
“The Resplendent Quetzal” paints a depressing picture of regret, blame, and words not spoken.
“Lives of the Poets” explores a woman’s rage.
“Giving Birth” was the jewel in this collection, possibly because so much of it felt like TRUTH (yes, TRUTH in all caps). “She remembers the way women who had babies used to smile at one another, mysteriously, as if there was something they knew that she didn’t, the way they would casually exclude her from their frame of reference.”
Atwood is fucking incredible. Really, I cannot get enough of her. What is it about this story that resonated with me so much? I really couldn't tell you. All I know is that not only was her writing style, as usual, perfectly executed, but every word she said felt like it was carefully placed. She made her syllables count.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nonostante sia il primo libro letto quest'anno sono sicura che rimarrà il migliore. Una serie di short stories che mi ha fatta emozionare e riflettere, tutto condito dalla scrittura strabiliante della Atwood che è capace di rendere vivida e reale la più inimmaginabile descrizione
A mixed bag for me...
2 5-star stories
4 4-star stories
2 3-star stories
5 2-star stories
1 1-star story
2 5-star stories
4 4-star stories
2 3-star stories
5 2-star stories
1 1-star story
Loved all the stories, and as with all other short story books, some more so than others. The one that REALLY stood out for me was "When It Happens" (Holy. Cow- a precursor to A Handmaid's Tale, anyone?!) "Polarities" was also fantastic, watching this man fall for a woman as she becomes less desirable to most. "A Travel Piece" UGH! I want to know what happens!!! Write a sequel, please Ms. Atwood! And "Training" was another fave, an interesting relationship between a girl with severe cerebral palsy and her camp counselor (or rather his relationship with her). Always love Atwood.
A great set of stories from one of my favourite authors
Is there anyone better than Margaret Atwood at writing characters who are unhappy with each other? I love it a little too much.
A fav quote:
"'Let's split,' he says, and we get up. I check the cashier as we go out: cashiers fill me with dismay, I want them to be happy but they never are. This one is waterlogged and baggy, saturated with too much sound and too many french fries. She is apathetic rather than surly. Fight back, I tell her silently."
also: "Boston, city of rotting dignities."
A fav quote:
"'Let's split,' he says, and we get up. I check the cashier as we go out: cashiers fill me with dismay, I want them to be happy but they never are. This one is waterlogged and baggy, saturated with too much sound and too many french fries. She is apathetic rather than surly. Fight back, I tell her silently."
also: "Boston, city of rotting dignities."
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes