Dancing Girls - Margaret Atwood

Advantages: Poetic, beguilining simple prose
Disadvantages: Sometimes hard to fathom but stick with it

...Surfacing Atwood has a way with prose. A simple journey undertaken by a nameless girl and three friends to a wood cabin in northern Quebec to investigate her father's disappearance becomes a tight verbal search for the self, for something lost, for something known, for something un-recapturable. Surfacing is, it has to be said, a non-linear text, but don't let that put you off, annointed as its supposedly simple story is with ironies and layers: it's about death and life; memory and myth; friendships and reality; love and apathy. Relationships in the claustrophobic cabin finally break down, leaving the narrator's mind to move freely in the wilderness. Its ending will confuse and delight in equal measure. One piece of advice: leave your detective specs at home and enjoy this lyrical book as you would a fine piece of music.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: compelling storyline
Disadvantages: initial character confusion

...I was first introduced to Margaret Atwood through a recommendation from a school teacher and have been a huge fan ever since. The Robber Bride did not disappoint. I think it is one of her best. In the beginning, it takes a little concentration to follow which character is speaking but as the reader becomes more familiar with the characters, their identities soon become recognisable, even without introduction. Margaret Atwood is a great author and this is definitely reflected in The Robber Bride. I found it difficult to put down. The character development has a depth that you would expect of Atwood and the novel has an intriguing twist towards the conclusion, making interesting to the end. I would recommend this novel to anyone, but particularly to those who have read other Atwood books and enjoyed them.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Funny and highly entertaining.
Disadvantages: Like all Atwood , is a bit wordy.

...The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood is based on Homers Odyssy. This however is not simply the idiots guide to Homer! Its an interesting exploration into the thoughts and feelings of Penelope (wife of Odysseus) written with her as the narrator after her murder. The voice is of a bitter woman who has not forgiven her husband for leaving her for years and years and then later having her killed - which seems understandable to me! Whats also interesting is Penelope's view on Helen (Helen of Troy) who is viewed as a sex symbol and steals men! A great story, very witty and sarcastic with a decent amount of sex and scandal thrown in for good measure! Another triumph by Atwood and well worth listening to. It comes highly recommended by me and all my friends who borrowed it afterwards.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful