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.
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 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.
. 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 
.
: 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 
. Anyway, I guess it's nice that she's being so open about her life, even if it is a bit cringeworthy at times 
.
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 
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 
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? 
Overall, this book sounds like a total page-turner - can't wait to dive in and learn more about the incredible 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 
And it's amazing how she talks about finding inspiration in research on the Salem witch trials... what a fascinating connection! 
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? 
. Like it shows all these different parts of her life and how they've influenced her writing career 
. 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!
. 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? 
about this new memoir from Margaret Atwood! She's like a 
.
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 
game-changer for her career! 
, celebrating the people who supported her and her work. It's like a big group hug 
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. 
. All in all, 'Book of Lives' is a must-read for anyone who loves books, writing, or just learning more about incredible women 
. It's cool to see how her struggles as a teenager actually helped shape her writing career 
. The book sounds like it's full of witty observations and gratitude towards the people who supported her 
. And let's be real, this woman is a total boss, even at 85 years young 
. I mean, we get to see the real her - the struggles with bullying, the passions for nature and writing... it's all so fascinating!