The Blind Assassin - Margaret Atwood > Reviews

Advantages: Well written book worth reading
Disadvantages: It could be left on the shelf not fully read

...to finish Margaret Atwoods book The Blind Assassin. I decided to read The Blind Assassin after it had won the Booker Prize in 2000. It took me quite a while to get hold of the book and then I had to find the time to read the novel. As I had bought the book I felt I had to read the whole book otherwise I may well have stopped early on, as it is quite hard to get into reading. I am glad I persevered with this book, as it is a well-written and enjoyable ... Read review

Advantages: fantastic story
Disadvantages: looks long but is very easy going

This is one of the best novels that I have read for ages. It is written form the point of view of Iris Chase who decides to write her memoirs at an elderly age. She wants people to know the truth about a book by her sister that she had published after her sister drove over a bridge and killed herself. It is an intriging tale of several generations of a family and how they cope through the war and the depression. I enjoyed the story as the imagery ... Read review

Advantages: truly unique
Disadvantages: none

I did start out with the intention of reviewing this one book but I feel that strongly about this woman that I couldn't help but mention the other books I have read that aren't listed here. This is one of those authors whose name you are aware of but the hype and acclaim slightly puts you off giving them a go. I got into Atwood through my wife - she had read Surfacing some years ago and always wanted a copy - one Christmas I was stuck for a ... Read review

Advantages: This quote, memorable, thought-provoking
Disadvantages: Long and at times confusing

...show you a quote from the novel, simply because it had such a profound effect on me, it might on you too. To quote; "The only way you can write the truth is to assume that what you set down will never be read, not by any other person, not even by yourself. You must see the writing emerging like a long scroll of ink from the index finger on your right hand; you must see your left hand erasing it. Impossible of course. I pay out my line, ... Read review

Advantages: Good description
Disadvantages: Not un-put-downable.

...admit to being disappointed by The Blind Assassin. Basically it tells the story of an old woman looking back on her life, and includes her dead sister's book. Although it is very well written, the story itself is a let down. I know this book has been critically acclaimed, and from a literary point of view, I am sure it is very worthy. However, as a good read I personally found it to be lacking. I actually left it half way through to read another book, ... Read review

Advantages: Amazing storyline and subtly twisting plot.
Disadvantages: Very long story which may be off-putting

This was the second Margaret Atwood book I've read. I was undecided on the last of hers (Oryx and Crake) because although I liked the style of writing, I found the science fiction strand of the story unappealing. I am so glad that I decided to read this book. Once I began I couldn't put it down. The life of the Chase sisters is as intreguing as it is disturbing. Many books I have read fall back on the disclosure early on that one of the main characters ... Read review