canadajanes's review against another edition
4.0
Wasn't sure I was going to really enjoy it, just from reading the back, but as usual, Atwood has a good one here!
jz_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
made me feel tense, hurt, and horrified all while potentially triggered some sort of early-life crisis. as all brilliant books do.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 STARS
"Elaine Risley, a painter, returns to Toronto to find herself overwhelmed by her past. Memories of childhood surface relentlessly, forcing her to confront the spectre of Cordelia, once her best friend and tormentor, who has haunted her for 40 years." (From Amazon)
This novel is a fictional-autobio of Atwood's childhood which shows a bit a vulnerable side. I read this for a Women Studies course and I thought I would HATE it but found myself absorbed.
"Elaine Risley, a painter, returns to Toronto to find herself overwhelmed by her past. Memories of childhood surface relentlessly, forcing her to confront the spectre of Cordelia, once her best friend and tormentor, who has haunted her for 40 years." (From Amazon)
This novel is a fictional-autobio of Atwood's childhood which shows a bit a vulnerable side. I read this for a Women Studies course and I thought I would HATE it but found myself absorbed.
minty's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure what I thought of this book, but I'm glad I stuck with it to the end. My general feeling is positive toward it, though it was of course at times quite uncomfortable.
misssisselb's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
ewitsell's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
tayloreve07's review against another edition
Not to be weird, but I love Margaret Atwood with every fiber of my being.
Her books are just heartbreaking. Also, very readable (unlike some stream-of-consciousness friends of ours who, while accomplished and lovely and some of my favorites, take forever to read).
Also the way this was written kind of made the city of Toronto itself into a villain (among others. This narrator had a lot of issues). That was fun.
Anyway, go Margaret!
Her books are just heartbreaking. Also, very readable (unlike some stream-of-consciousness friends of ours who, while accomplished and lovely and some of my favorites, take forever to read).
Also the way this was written kind of made the city of Toronto itself into a villain (among others. This narrator had a lot of issues). That was fun.
Anyway, go Margaret!
sgorr's review against another edition
5.0
This became an instant favorite. Never before have I read a book that seemed to so perfectly sum up what it is to be a girl or to so exactly capture the passing of time as we grow older. Gorgeous prose. A slow burn of a book that isn't about a multitude of things happening, perse, but rather about the transformative power of our experiences in shaping who we are or who we become.