What's happened
Margaret Atwood, the acclaimed author of 'The Handmaid's Tale,' has published a 600-page memoir titled 'Book of Lives.' The book explores her personal journey from childhood in Canada to international literary fame, reflecting on her inspirations, relationships, and the reasons behind her writing. The memoir also touches on her thoughts about mortality and her long career.
What's behind the headline?
The publication of Atwood's memoir signals a shift from her usual understatement to a more candid narrative, driven by her awareness of mortality and her desire to share her personal story. The book emphasizes her good fortune as a prize-winning author who has maintained integrity and independence. It also highlights her reflections on her childhood trauma, creative inspiration, and relationships, especially with Gibson. This memoir will likely deepen her connection with her audience, offering insights into her literary universe and personal resilience. The timing suggests a desire to leave a lasting legacy and to confront her mortality openly, which may influence future literary and public engagements.
What the papers say
The Independent provides a detailed overview of Atwood's new memoir, emphasizing her reluctance to share her personal life until now and her reflections on mortality. AP News echoes this, highlighting her journey from childhood to international fame and her reasons for writing the memoir, including her desire to focus on memory rather than biography. Both sources underscore her candid approach and the significance of her reflections on life and death, with The Independent noting her good fortune and independence as a writer, and AP emphasizing her storytelling about inspiration and personal history.
How we got here
Atwood's career spans decades, with notable works like 'The Handmaid's Tale' and 'Alias Grace.' Her writing often draws from her personal experiences and historical events. She has previously discussed her childhood, family, and creative process in interviews and essays. Her recent memoir offers a more intimate look, prompted by her reflections on mortality and her life after her partner Graeme Gibson's death in 2019.
Go deeper
- How does Atwood describe her creative process in the memoir?
- What are her main reflections on mortality and aging?
- How might this memoir influence her future work?
More on these topics
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Thomas Graeme Cameron Gibson CM FRCGS was a Canadian novelist. He was a Member of the Order of Canada, a Senior Fellow of Massey College and one of the organizers of the Writers Union of Canada.
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Margaret Eleanor Atwood CC OOnt CH FRSC is a Canadian poet, novelist, literary critic, essayist, teacher, environmental activist and inventor.