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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
A gripping and beautiful account of one of the most selfish characters in literary history. I was a captive audience all the way through.
Exactly the kind of book I like to read, but rarely seen to find; lots of depth and backstory, varied, interesting and likeable characters, intrigue, drama, insight, some nice writing, and towards the end there are even some laughs. The only bit I didn't like was the part about child abuse. And the ending wasn't entirely satisfying, but thinking about it, it could have been so much worse.
While this was not my favorite Atwood, I did find it interesting and always admire Atwood's ability to construct nonlinear narratives and use multiple POVs in a story. I feel like this is the kind of book I would have enjoyed more with a book club as I have some speculative/interpretive questions I'd love to hear others' thoughts on: was Zenia just a sociopath or a mythical being? Why are all the men terrible in this book? Etc.
I was definitely disappointed with Ms. Atwood when I read this book. Although the story line itself is entertaining and has the potential to be a "can't put down" book, the author ruins it by retelling it 3 different times making the story eye gougingly monotonous. To get through this book I needed a hard chair and a bright light. Not my favourite book club pick.
Took me two passes to get into it. I've read enough Atwood to place this novel below the Handmaid's Tale and the Oryx & Crake trilogy in terms of quality, but it is a pretty sinister story about a grifter and how she cons three friends by preying on their ego, perfectly anticipating their needs, finally stealing their men and leaving them bereft and alone. A lot of reviews describe this book as funny, and while there were moments of sly humor, this book isn't a light book. Still, I'd say this is more a diversion than Atwood's more important dystopian novels.
This book was really excellent. It reminded me why Margaret Atwood is one of my favorite writers. However, even with the incredible insights into how patriarchy insidiously invades, structures, and plunders women’s relationships (and how, given this marginalization women still connect with one another on an almost psychic level, at times leeching into one another) I could not fathom how anyone fell for Zenia’s bullshit (completely bullshit) lies. Whenever she took the stage to wax poetic with her manufactured stories, I couldn't stop laughing; they were so blatantly fabricated.
At the same time, although I didn't judge the three protagonists' perspectives, and particularly their hangups about themselves or their relationships with men, from my viewpoint which has been shaped by different social milieu, I did still struggle to accept each woman's (Tony, Charis, Roz) individual attachments to their husbands or boyfriends. However, this is more of a general annoyance I feel in and outside of fiction as it's a fairly common scenario across contexts and one that never ceases to prickle me. It's ceaselessly upsetting to see women try so hard to accommodate and take care of men who take them for granted, and worse, do not reciprocate their affections – it’s just never worth it! But that dynamic, being so real, is exactly what charges the story with real feeling and authenticity, even given the mysterious and otherworldly presence of Zenia, as it (and Zenia's character more prominently) illuminates the nadir of women's deepest insecurities and sexual relegation.
At the same time, although I didn't judge the three protagonists' perspectives, and particularly their hangups about themselves or their relationships with men, from my viewpoint which has been shaped by different social milieu, I did still struggle to accept each woman's (Tony, Charis, Roz) individual attachments to their husbands or boyfriends. However, this is more of a general annoyance I feel in and outside of fiction as it's a fairly common scenario across contexts and one that never ceases to prickle me. It's ceaselessly upsetting to see women try so hard to accommodate and take care of men who take them for granted, and worse, do not reciprocate their affections – it’s just never worth it! But that dynamic, being so real, is exactly what charges the story with real feeling and authenticity, even given the mysterious and otherworldly presence of Zenia, as it (and Zenia's character more prominently) illuminates the nadir of women's deepest insecurities and sexual relegation.
For a book in which not much is happening directly, and a lot of the content is based on flashbacks, I actually ended up enjoying this way more than I thought I would. It was a joy to see such a colorful cast of characters and such a diverse depiction of women, and... I don't really know how to explain, but you can really feel the way time passes and the changes it brings with it, and it was really such a storm of a story, and I really loved it.
Margaret Atwood is also just an incredible writer, and even if I read this book in translation, there was still a lot left of her unique voice.
Margaret Atwood is also just an incredible writer, and even if I read this book in translation, there was still a lot left of her unique voice.
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, War
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A terrific read. Great characters and keeps you guessing.
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes