The only Atwood I've read is Handmaid's Tale, and I remember thinking it was only eh. I saw the (crap) movie version on TV last year, and finally twigged to why I said "eh" -- I just didn't buy it. It just struck me as extremely unlikely and axe-grind-y, and it failed to grab me. So, although intellectually I can see how it's supposed to be disturbing, I reacted to it the same way I react to Bob Cormier's darker fantasies: "Such cynicism, Bob! Here, have a drink."
Angel: I can stay in town as long as you want me. Buffy: How's forever? Does forever work for you?
'Lies My Parents Told Me'
We're Literary 2: To Read Makes Our Speaking English Good
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
Nutty - Apr 21, 2004 12:18:50 pm PDT #2315 of 10002
"Mister Spock is on his fanny, sir. Reports heavy damage."
P.M. Marc - Apr 21, 2004 12:20:59 pm PDT #2316 of 10002
So come, my friends, be not afraid/We are so lightly here/It is in love that we are made; In love we disappear
I think Handmaid's Tale is her worst effort.
Surfacing, which actually touches in some ways on the same sorts of issues, is a deeper, more complex, more real way of forming art from them.
Damn, that sounds wanky. I should go talk about comics or something.
Java cat - Apr 21, 2004 1:05:45 pm PDT #2317 of 10002
Not javachik
The library had The Robber Bride and Cat's Eye on the shelf. Ima give Robber Bride a try.
I was willing to go along into The Haidmaid's Tale's reality completely, hence the being disturbed by it; I felt like I lived it, a tiny bit.
Megan E. - Apr 21, 2004 1:14:40 pm PDT #2318 of 10002
I enjoyed Oryx and Crake because I liked the message that Atwood was trying to highlight - the dangers of genetic modification of animals. I think she pulled off the intermixing of the different periods of time well, but not as well as in The Blind Assassin. Then again, TBA is my most favourite Atwood, and on my top 10 favourite books.
Has anyone here read anything by Robin Jarvis? She a british YA author. Right now I'm reading book 2 of the Wyrd Museum trilogy (I think you'd like these Ouise) and I'm wondering if her other trilogies are good as well.
Katerina Bee - Apr 21, 2004 1:45:19 pm PDT #2319 of 10002
Herding cats for fun
I found Handmaid's Tale quiet in tone, but took that to mean that the disaster in civil rights had already happened, outrage was exhausted, and resignation was all Ofglen had left. The atmosphere was creepy and insidious, like Hill House.
Aims - Apr 21, 2004 1:58:33 pm PDT #2320 of 10002
Shit's all sorts of different now.
I have a question about Handmaid's Tale. (I haven't read it - saw the movie a long time ago. I liked it a lot, actually. Kinda strange for me.)
Anyway...why weren't the men sterile? Why just the women?
Ouise - Apr 21, 2004 2:19:01 pm PDT #2321 of 10002
Socks are a running theme throughout the series. They are used as symbols of freedom, redemption and love.
(I think you'd like these Ouise)I've noticed some of her books - I'll have to try some. Thanks for the recommendation.
Ouise - Apr 21, 2004 2:26:45 pm PDT #2322 of 10002
Socks are a running theme throughout the series. They are used as symbols of freedom, redemption and love.
Anyway...why weren't the men sterile? Why just the women?Because their culture insisted that that was the case. Rather like a lot of history, really. (Like Henry VIII divorcing/executing all those wives, never considering that he might be the problem.)
Katerina Bee - Apr 21, 2004 2:27:02 pm PDT #2323 of 10002
Herding cats for fun
Re: Handmaid's Tale: Not everybody was sterile, there were widespread infertility problems due to the toxic environment. So powerful men wishing to reproduce were assigned Handmaids of previous, proven fertility to try their luck at planting their little wigglers.
Jesse - Apr 21, 2004 2:30:04 pm PDT #2324 of 10002
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.
OK, so on a whim I took Live and Let Die out of the library. I don't think I can finish it. Beside the incongruity of having a Guns-n-Roses remake of a Wings song in my head while I read this book set in the 50s, I just finished the chapter called "Nigger Heaven." I shit you not. Will it continue to be this bad?