Reviews

Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

bxlbooks91's review against another edition

4.0

3,5*

abeth_parker's review against another edition

3.0

I was truly hesitant to read this novel. I did not enjoy reading "The Handmaid's Tale" which was also written by Margaret Atwood. But, this novel was available at my local library, and it is being made into a tv series, so I thought I would give it a shot. It took me a few chapters to get into the story, but once the narrative switched to Grace telling her life story, I was hooked. I will say that the story of the murders that Grace may have been involved in, and the daily life of Dr. Jordan, who is interviewing Grace about the murders, are fairly graphic. Margaret Atwood states in her author's notes that this book is based on two murders that occurred in Canada in the 1860s, but she has fleshed out the parts not stated as fact. After reading this, I can honestly say that I am divided about her guilt or innocence. It's amazing how differently court cases were approached when DNA and other forensic evidence wasn't available as a tool for investigators. I'm sure that, even today, people are still divided on whether or not she was involved.

etty_m's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

e_lli_e's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

laura_4ants's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

orangeagogo's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

4.5

Women!!!!

olivia76's review against another edition

4.0

Interesting and not what I expected. Slow and ultimately ambiguous, it nevertheless kept my attention and I enjoyed it. Darker & more sexually deviant than I was expecting. The writing is magnificent; the audio lovely.

glendaleereads's review against another edition

4.0

This book started off pretty slow, so that was frustrating for me because this is something that I also felt while reading Atwood’s other book The Handmaids Tale.

Im all for a good murder story and it was Interesting to me because we were hearing from two perspectives. The accused and the Dr interviewing her. Throughout the story you find yourself on Graces side and frustrated with her because she seems so passive. However as the story begins to pick up you begin to realize that Grace is not a reliable narrator and that’s something her Dr also begins to notice.

Even finishing the story you do not really get the full closure of what really happened but in this case I found that very intriguing. I enjoy Atwood’s writing, she has such a way with prose that keeps you hooked.

hailey045's review against another edition

challenging dark sad slow-paced

• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

pao_reynard's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5