Margaret Atwood

I've only read two books by Margaret Atwood, (The Robber Bride and The Handmaid's Tale) but found them both to be quite thought-provoking, and I plan on reading more by her. I had Surfacing waiting on my shelf, so I hope to get to that one soon.

Has anyone else read any Atwood novels? Which did you enjoy most? Which are the ones you'd most recommend and why?

I've read most of Atwood's novels. Alias Grace is a good read. Some of her short story collections are also worth looking into.

Yes, Alias Grace is good - probably my favourite Atwood novel. I have found that I tend to prefer her stuff from about Cat's Eye on; I find her older novels more difficult to get in to.

I like some of her books very much -- The Edible Woman and The Blind Assassin especially. Other times, I can't stand them -- like Oryx and Crake.

I'm about to start Moral Disorder. Love her, or hate her, I feel drawn to read just about everything she writes.

One of my favourites is The Tent which I lent to a good friend who has not yet returned it. I keep reminding her.... I liked to have it nearby so I could read a page of two occaisonally. It is a book of very very short stories, vignettes, and a few poems. I particularly like the Lament to Mothers (or something like that).
Haven't yet read her latest on the economy.

I love her books of poetry The Journals of Susanna Moodie (eta thanks for the correct spelling :-) sqdancer) and Animals in that Country as well as Alias Grace and Handmaid's Tale. Some of her books I really enjoy, as those mentioned, and others I just cannot get into - like Surfacing! Blech!

I've been meaning to track down a copy of The Journals of Susanna Moodie. Thanks for the reminder. :)

I have just finished The Edible Woman and loved it! I loved her critical look at motherhood, the variety of personalities amongst her female (and male) characters, the very pedestrian yet powerful events and most of all the idea that a woman can reclaim herself from being devoured by society's expectations of her... A real feminist message!

I'm usually not a big fan - I read Cat's eye, Lady Oracle which I enjoyed but didn't moon over and The Tent which made a great bus read, but this was by far my favorite.

I've enjoyed everything Atwood, and soon will have her new book in my hands. but I've had to 'un-follow' her on Twitter. She is just toooo prolific a poster. Once a day would do it, less IS more.

I didn't like Oryx and Crake at all! So, when I heard that her latest book followed on the theme, I decided to give it a pass.

Last night I picked up Oryx and Crake from my book club for a re-read since I don't remember much of it.
I've just finished the Year of the Flood and loved it. Great satire.

I've pulled out my old copy of Morning in the Burned House because some of these poems were quoted in The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny.
Here's a couple of lines I like from "Miss July Grows Older":

Don't confuse me with my hen-leg elbows;
what you get is no longer
what you see.

When is the next Mad Adam's series book coming out - anybody know?? :)

I have liked everything I've read by her--even poetry, which I'm not usually crazy about in general. I prefer her later works, but really, everything is worth reading. Alias Grace and Robber Bride are probably my top favs.

Am I a bit late here?

I've been thinking about a new Atwood book but I'm not sure what to pick. I've only read two: Surfacing and Oryx and Crake, both in college. I think I like her writing well enough, so really it's more topic. I have no plans to go anywhere near The Handmaid's Tale or it's new sequel. I've studied gender politics and such and I'd rather not read about it.

I thought about continuing the MaddAdam trilogy, but I kinda like the ambiguity of Oryx and Crake's end, and I'm inclined to let it be in my head.

Had anyone read The Penelopiad? I've read a couple versions of The Iliad know the base story of The Odyssey so I'm curious as to what Atwood decides to do with it.

I've read a couple of her poems, but long poems tend to wear on me (and these were long) so I'm not sure how much more I'd care for. Some good lines though. ;)

>15 WeeTurtle: I've read The Penelopiad and really liked it. Atwood being Atwood you know she is going to shake up the story but it's alway fun to see how. Along that lines I really enjoyed Hag-Seed which is her retelling of Shakespeare's Tempest. I enjoyed all of the MaddAdam trilogy but waited for quite a while after Oryx and Crake to read the other two. Other than those I would recommend Alias Grace an historical novel which was made into a really good mini-series.

>16 gypsysmom: Alias Grace seems to be up there in terms of popularity. I'll see what I bump into in my next used books excursion. Or the library. I need to cut back on buying stuff.

>18 frahealee:

Do you remember what you thought of Cat's Eye? That's one of the three that I've dug out of my mom's collection.

Thought I should add to this thread since Atwood has just been announced as the co-winner of the Booker Prize for her book The Testaments which is a continuation of The Handmaid's Tale. I would add The Testaments to the list of Atwoods that I really enjoyed.

>21 gypsysmom: Yes! I really didn't expect her to win. I had planned to read The Testaments when it came out in trade paperback, but I had a deal a few weeks ago and bought the hardcover. Plan to read it sometime before Christmas.