Book of Lives by Margaret Atwood review – the great novelist reveals her hidden side

Margaret Atwood's memoir is less a retelling of her life story and more an all-encompassing portrait of herself. Rather than focusing on scandalous anecdotes or triumphant milestones, the book instead presents a multifaceted exploration of its subject, weaving together threads from various periods in her 85-year-old life.

Born into a family that spent much time outdoors, Atwood's love for nature was instilled in her from an early age. Her childhood experiences are filled with details about fishing, canoeing, and exploring the natural world – this passion remained with her throughout her life. The book provides a candid look at her education, including her struggles as a bullied teenager, which undoubtedly influenced her writing career.

Atwood's foray into literature is marked by an early fascination with poetry and television appearances, showcasing her unconventional personality from an age where it was uncommon in girls. She continued to hone her craft through studies at the University of Toronto and Harvard, developing interests that would later become integral to her work, such as research on the Salem witch trials.

Upon graduating, Atwood's breakthrough came when she authored 'Survival: A Thematic Guide to Canadian Literature', a book celebrating literary writing in Canada. This success generated jealousy, with her being labeled as an "acid-tongued" woman who could be perceived as a threat by societal norms, yet the experience fueled her creative pursuits and inspired works like 'The Handmaid's Tale'.

The memoir delves into Atwood's personal life, including relationships such as her marriage to American poet David Puntz, which was largely motivated by a desire to save him from military service. Her complicated relationship with Graeme Gibson, a novelist who later became a key figure in her life, is discussed openly, alongside the complexities of his open marriage and their shared love for nature.

Throughout 'Book of Lives', Atwood offers insightful reflections on her work and experiences, displaying wit and humor as she navigates various themes. Tributes to those who supported her career are given with gratitude, while others receive less favorable treatment due to their malevolent actions against her.

While acknowledging the passing of her partner, Graeme Gibson, brings a somber tone towards the book's conclusion, Atwood maintains her resolve by choosing professional pursuits over personal relationships and even in light of poor health. Ultimately, 'Book of Lives' provides an enchanting journey through the life of Margaret Atwood – the person behind some of the most celebrated literary works.

I think Atwood's book is so underrated. She's not just a famous author, she's also super relatable. I mean, who hasn't felt like they don't fit in or struggled with self-doubt? Her story is like, totally inspiring. And can we talk about how strong and independent she was? Like, she wrote books on witch trials and survived (no pun intended) as a teenager. That's some next-level stuff

I also love that she talks about her relationships in the book. It's not always easy to see someone you admire being vulnerable like that, but it makes the whole thing feel so much more human. And that tribute to her partner at the end? totally gets me. Anyway, I think everyone should read this book – it's like a masterclass in living your truth and embracing your quirks

I gotta say, this book sounds like a real page-turner! I love how it's not just about her famous books and whatnot, but also about her personal struggles and relationships. Like, who hasn't been bullied in school or felt like they don't quite fit in? It's so relatable.

And I'm intrigued by her story - from being a outdoorsy kid to becoming this accomplished author and feminist icon. She seems like someone who's always stayed true to herself and never let societal expectations get in the way of her creativity. That's something we can all learn from!

this memoir feels like a big hug for anyone who's ever felt like they don't quite fit in . atwood's willingness to share her struggles and vulnerabilities is so inspiring, it makes me want to reach out and hold onto each other through life's tough times . i love how she weaves together all these different threads from her life, it's like a beautiful tapestry that shows us that even the most complex people are just trying to find their way .

Ugh, can't believe this : another celeb getting roasted by their own family! I mean, sure, it's not like we haven't seen this before, but still... At 85, Margaret Atwood is finally opening up about her life, and what do we get? A bunch of awkward stories about her high school days being a total drag . And don't even get me started on her complicated relationship with Graeme Gibson - that's just messy . But honestly, can we talk about something else for once? Like how climate change is still a thing and we're basically doomed . Anyway, I guess it's nice that she's being so open about her life, even if it is a bit cringeworthy at times .

can't believe its been so long since we lost graeme gibson he was such a huge part of margaret's life and work, it's interesting to see how she navigated her complicated feelings about him in this book atwood is so brave for sharing all these personal stories, it's like we're getting a glimpse into her mind and heart. I love how she talks about her passion for nature and how it influenced her writing - it's so refreshing to see someone who loves the outdoors as much as I do

just finished reading margaret atwoods memoir and i gotta say it's like getting a masterclass on feminism and writing from one of the greatest authors of our time! she's not afraid to share her struggles as a teenager, her complicated relationships, or how societal expectations nearly derailed her career goals. but what i love most about this book is how she weaves together these personal stories into a larger tapestry that reveals the depths of her creativity and resilience. it's like getting a glimpse into the mind of a genius

I'm totally obsessed with this new memoir from Margaret Atwood She's not just sharing her crazy life story, but giving us a deep dive into her thoughts and feelings on everything from nature to writing The way she weaves all these different threads together is pure genius - I mean, who knew that her struggles as a bullied teen would shape her entire career? And can we talk about how refreshing it is to see her speak her truth about the complicated relationships in her life, like with Graeme Gibson? It's like she's saying, "Hey, I'm not afraid to get real and show you my messy side" Overall, this book sounds like a total page-turner - can't wait to dive in and learn more about the incredible Margaret Atwood!

I'm so obsessed with this new memoir by Margaret Atwood ! She's always been a writer I admire, but reading about her life story is just incredible - it's like getting a glimpse into the mind of a genius . The way she weaves together all these different threads from her childhood to her literary career is so inspiring. And can we talk about how she just owns her flaws and imperfections? She's not afraid to dive into the darker stuff, like bullying and toxic relationships, but also shares moments of pure joy and love .

I love that she celebrates her unconventional personality throughout her life - who wouldn't want to be an "acid-tongued" woman making waves in literature? And it's amazing how she talks about finding inspiration in research on the Salem witch trials... what a fascinating connection! Overall, this memoir feels like a masterclass in living life fully and authentically. Can we all take a page out of Margaret Atwood's book?

I'm so done with reading about how amazing authors are... like, no kidding, they're great writers! Can't we just focus on their books instead?

I mean, don't get me wrong, Margaret Atwood's life story is pretty interesting, but can't we fast forward to the good stuff - her writing and whatnot? I didn't need all those personal anecdotes about her childhood or her relationships. It feels like she's trying to justify her existence as a whole person instead of just focusing on the art.

And another thing, why do we always have to romanticize these people? They're not saints, they've made mistakes and hurt people too. Can't we just have a balanced view of their lives? Not everyone is perfect and deserving of praise all the time...

I think its so cool how Margaret Atwoods memoir is like a reflection of herself as a whole person, not just her books . Like it shows all these different parts of her life and how they've influenced her writing career . It's also really inspiring to see how she's been through so much (bullying, relationships, etc.) but still managed to find success and keep going . And I love how she doesn't hold back on sharing the not-so-flattering parts of her life either - it makes her come across as even more human .

I mean come on, this book is like a masterclass in storytelling! I love how she takes us on this wild ride through her life, from being bullied as a teen to becoming one of the most iconic authors of our time . The way she weaves together these different threads and shares these intimate moments is just incredible - you can't help but feel like you're reading her diary or something . And let's be real, who wouldn't want to read about the life of Margaret Atwood?! The only thing I'd say is that some parts felt a bit rushed, like she was glossing over certain details too quickly , but overall it's an absolute page-turner . Can't wait to dive into more of her work!

I gotta say, this memoir is like a treasure trove of nostalgia for me . Growing up, I was always fascinated by strong female authors who didn't shy away from speaking their minds, and Margaret Atwood's story is the ultimate inspiration . Her passion for nature and literature is so inspiring, it makes me wanna grab my own canoe and go exploring . And can we talk about how brave she was to speak her mind as a bullied teenager? That kind of courage takes guts, you know? But what I love most about this memoir is that it's not just a straightforward retelling of her life – it's so much more than that . It's like getting a glimpse into the mind of a genius, and I am HERE. FOR. IT

I'm so about this new memoir from Margaret Atwood! She's like a nature lover at heart and it's amazing how her childhood experiences shaped her into the writer she is today . I love how she's being super honest about her struggles as a teenager and how that affected her writing career . It's inspiring to see someone who's not afraid to speak their mind and challenge societal norms .

Atwood's writing style is so fascinating, weaving together threads from different periods of her life like a tapestry. I'm loving the behind-the-scenes look at her education and how she became an author . And that book "Survival" was like a game-changer for her career!

The way she talks about her relationships, especially with Graeme Gibson , is so raw and emotional . But what I love most about this memoir is how Atwood chooses to focus on the good stuff , celebrating the people who supported her and her work. It's like a big group hug !

I gotta say, I'm really loving this memoir thing from Margaret Atwood... It's like she's giving us a whole new level of insight into her mind and experiences. I mean, you can tell she's always been super passionate about nature and the outdoors – it's crazy how that stuck with her for so long!

But what really gets me is how she talks about those tough times in her life, like being a bullied teenager and dealing with jealousy and negative feedback from others. It's like, we can all relate to feeling that way, right? And it's awesome to see how she turned those experiences into fuel for her writing career.

And let's be real, the fact that she's still pushing through despite some tough health issues is just incredible... I mean, she's 85 and still going strong! It's like, we could all learn a thing or two from her about perseverance and living life to the fullest.

I gotta say, I'm totally fascinated by this memoir thingy . I mean, Margaret Atwood's story is like a masterclass in how to live a fulfilling life – with passion for nature, writing, and pushing boundaries . But what really gets me is how she didn't let societal expectations hold her back, especially when it came to being a strong woman in a male-dominated field .

I love how she's all open about her struggles as a teenager, and how that shaped her into the person she became . And the way she talks about her relationships – like, no holding back, you know? It's refreshing to see someone so honest and unapologetic .

And can we talk about how this book is more than just a memoir, it's like a love letter to literature itself ? I mean, who wouldn't want to read about the life of one of our greatest writers? . All in all, 'Book of Lives' is a must-read for anyone who loves books, writing, or just learning more about incredible women .

I just read about this memoir thingy by Margaret Atwood and I gotta say, she's like a total boss! She talks about how her childhood was all about nature, and that's still what drives her today . It's cool to see how her struggles as a teenager actually helped shape her writing career . And wow, she's been through so much - the jealousy, the breakups... but it all seems to have fueled her creative fire . I love that she's still going strong despite her age and health issues . The book sounds like it's full of witty observations and gratitude towards the people who supported her . Anyway, I'm definitely gonna check out some of her books now

I just finished reading this memoir thingy about Margaret Atwood and I gotta say, she's like a total inspiration to me! Her story is so rich and diverse, from her childhood adventures in nature to her struggles as a teenager and all the way up to becoming one of the most famous authors out there! She's got this crazy amount of talent and resilience that I just can't get enough of.

I drew a little diagram to represent her life timeline:
```
+-----------+
| |
| Childhood|
| (nature, |
| fishing, etc.)|
| |
+-----------+
|
|
v
+-----------+
| |
| Education|
| (bullied teen, |
| struggles with|
| writing) |
| |
+-----------+
|
|
v
+-----------+ +-----------+
| | | |
| Writing | | Relationships|
| (poetry, | | (Graeme, David)|
| TV appearances)| | |
| | | |
+-----------+ +-----------+
```
The book is so well-written and Atwood's wit and humor are on full display. I love how she shares her gratitude towards those who supported her career and also calls out the people who didn't. It's like she's showing us all that we can be our own heroes, even when life gets tough.

Anyway, I'm totally sold on Margaret Atwood now and I think everyone should read this book ASAP!

I just finished reading this memoir by Margaret Atwood and I gotta say, it's like stepping into a time capsule from another era . The way she weaves together her childhood memories with her experiences as a writer is so beautifully done, it's like you're right there with her, hiking through the woods or navigating the complexities of her relationships . But what really gets me is how honest and vulnerable she is about her struggles - from being bullied as a teenager to dealing with jealousy and criticism in the male-dominated literary world . It's like, you feel all these emotions with her, even when she's talking about books and writing, which sounds super pretentious but trust me, it's not . I love how she celebrates her successes while also acknowledging the flaws in those who wronged her - it's like, a masterclass in self-love and acceptance . And let's be real, this woman is a total boss, even at 85 years young ‍. I'm so glad I got to read 'Book of Lives' - it's like a warm hug for your soul

I gotta say, I'm loving this new memoir by Margaret Atwood. It's not just a retelling of her life story, but more like a deep dive into who she is as a person . I mean, we get to see the real her - the struggles with bullying, the passions for nature and writing... it's all so fascinating! And what I love most is how honest she is about her relationships, even when they're complicated . It's like getting to know an old friend who's always been a bit quirky, but you can't help but adore them . Atwood's story is a reminder that life is full of ups and downs, but with determination and a love for what we do, we can keep creating and inspiring others .