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michaelpdonley's review against another edition
4.0
A haunting character study about the lingering effects of childhood cruelty, how it can fundamentally change everything that comes after.
roulan's review against another edition
4.0
I adore Margaret Atwood. I found this one a bit tough to get through. Not because it isn't excellent, because it is truly excellent. It was a lot to process at times. The worldview here is harsh but very honest. The book is also broken into many small chapters, so it was easy to put down between chapters and just process what I had read.
thechaliceofaries's review against another edition
5.0
This book was dazzling, nostalgic, witty and tender all at once. We follow the protagonist Elaine as she returns to Toronto and begins down a series of sharply vivid memories of her childhood, witnessing the events that shape and haunt her as an adult. The link between past and present grows stronger over the course of the novel, and a clearer picture is painted of Elaine's life and understanding of herself; we see, very precisely, how the facets of her personality are cut and polished, or otherwise chipped away. Margaret Atwood's prose is crisp, clever and beautiful, echoes of her refined skill as a poet ringing clearly across in the writing. She peppers commentary about environmentalism, gender identity and what it means to be a woman around the novel, and though this is done more subtly than in her other famous works, I think the overall effect is just as unique and unforgettable as what I've come to expect from this writer. I will definitely have to put this down as one of my favourite reads this year.
lottie1803's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
goblinhearted's review against another edition
4.0
Cat’s Eye is a coming-of-age story that deals with female friendships, bullying, trauma, and the experience of being haunted by these events, all set against the backdrop of gentrification and a changing world. It is a deeply introspective novel that follows the life of Elaine, a woman reflecting on her journey from childhood to adulthood.
Elaine, who grows up with an unconventional childhood, desperately wants to become friends with other girls. She gets her wish, and becomes sucked into the volatile feminine politics of ‘friendship’. We follow her throughout life as she grapples with the trauma of these early experiences, while navigating the rapidly gentrifying landscape of Toronto.
While reading, I paused a few times to marvel at how Atwood constructed such a detailed and real fictional life. Experiencing the world through Elaine’s eyes felt compelling and familiar, capturing the universal struggle of clumsily and painfully finding one’s place in the world after trauma.
This was my first Atwood read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s one of those slow-paced, introspective novels that I love. Though the narrative shifts between Elaine’s childhood and her present life, I was content to let the story wash over me and enjoy the journey. Atwood’s writing style is crisp, cutting, and truly inspiring– especially from the perspective of an aspiring writer.
Elaine, who grows up with an unconventional childhood, desperately wants to become friends with other girls. She gets her wish, and becomes sucked into the volatile feminine politics of ‘friendship’. We follow her throughout life as she grapples with the trauma of these early experiences, while navigating the rapidly gentrifying landscape of Toronto.
While reading, I paused a few times to marvel at how Atwood constructed such a detailed and real fictional life. Experiencing the world through Elaine’s eyes felt compelling and familiar, capturing the universal struggle of clumsily and painfully finding one’s place in the world after trauma.
This was my first Atwood read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s one of those slow-paced, introspective novels that I love. Though the narrative shifts between Elaine’s childhood and her present life, I was content to let the story wash over me and enjoy the journey. Atwood’s writing style is crisp, cutting, and truly inspiring– especially from the perspective of an aspiring writer.
farfuglietti's review against another edition
4.0
Io ammazzo quelli che dietro il libro scrivono come frase l'ultima frase del libro. MA WTF WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?
joshgroven's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Addiction
mayaroels's review against another edition
3.0
Krachtig verhaal over een vrouw die probeert vrede te nemen met haar verleden. Ietwat saai om een Atwood te zijn in mijn opinie, maar waarschijnlijk typerend voor haar vroeger werk. Minder memorabel maar wel genietbaar
meghanhines's review against another edition
3.0
beautifully written but just kinda Boring and Fine. i just wanted more about how cordelia impacted elaine - it didn’t go deep enough into the long term impact of that childhood cruelty (which was my fav part because i thought it was so well done and accurate) for me.
the present timeline chapters were all just like… okay. i feel like i coulda done without them tbh but i get why they’re there. so yeah. really enjoyed the childhood chapters, was meh about the present time chapters
the present timeline chapters were all just like… okay. i feel like i coulda done without them tbh but i get why they’re there. so yeah. really enjoyed the childhood chapters, was meh about the present time chapters
champers4days's review against another edition
4.0
Some authors create scenes, images and plot lines; Atwood creates people on the page and infuses them with reality and breathe - and Cat's Eye is a BRILIANT example of this talent.
This book was longer than most of her other works, and Atwood used that length to tell the life story of one woman, Elaine Risley, a provocative painter from Toronto. So much more than a coming-of-age novel, Atwood unveiled Elaine's life, from early childhood to adulthood, through vivid and detailed flashbacks. The author's insight into friendships, group dynamics and aging are frighteningly spot-on.
Atwood also exercised her wonderfully idiosyncratic brand of feminism and religion through Elaine's relationships and artwork. Cat's Eye was an all-encompassing and emotive read that I highly recommend to others!
This book was longer than most of her other works, and Atwood used that length to tell the life story of one woman, Elaine Risley, a provocative painter from Toronto. So much more than a coming-of-age novel, Atwood unveiled Elaine's life, from early childhood to adulthood, through vivid and detailed flashbacks. The author's insight into friendships, group dynamics and aging are frighteningly spot-on.
Atwood also exercised her wonderfully idiosyncratic brand of feminism and religion through Elaine's relationships and artwork. Cat's Eye was an all-encompassing and emotive read that I highly recommend to others!