Loathe!

I know, I know. How very un-Canadian of me. We read her non-fiction book "Survival" in high school Canadian Lit. class. It was an interesting look at Canadian identity - mosaic vs. melting pot - and I did like that book, but her fiction just doesn't do it for me. I am with Maree's comment above. Over-rated.

I have only read Alias Grace for a high school project but I found her writing style to be wonderful!! The amount of detail in the novel could be overwhelming to some, in fact, half of my English class hated the book; but for me it was perfect! I'll have to pick up more of her books to see if my enjoyment continues.

I find her work very over-rated.

Love! I love her work, I haven't read an Atwood book that I haven't found amazing.

She gives Carol Shiels a run for her money as my favourite Canadian author.

Interesting comment that people either love or hate Atwood's work. I've had both experiences.
I did Surfacing in university. Terrible, dull, poorly written book. On the other hand I absolutely loved Oryx and Crake as well as Alias Grace. I liked The Robber Bride and The Blind Assassin but not quite as much. Moral Disorder was dull as anything, couldn't even finish it.
I'd have to consider Atwood talented but inconsistent. Overall her later writing is better than her early stuff.

Early Margaret Atwood (The Edible Woman, Surfacing) is actually rather poorly written, not to mention self-consciously literary. Her later stuff is much better. The Handmaid's Tale, for example, seems to be from a different author entirely.

I've read Bodily Harm and I wasn't really a fan, but I've picked up about 4 more of her books in an attempt to see if I maybe chose one that wasn't of interest to me. Hopefully one of the others will be a winner!

They made us read The Edible Woman in high school; they said it would teach us "metaphor." Well, one need not read a whole book to understand the concept, ha! Alas, I didn't connect with it at all, and never read any other Atwood books after that I'm afraid. Life's too short, and there is too much to read... if an author doesn't grab me right away, they really don't get a second chance.

I have heard the same. Personally I have enjoyed her books. I find they are kind of like that "comfortable sweater". I have only read a few, Cat's Eye, The Edible Woman, Handmaid's Tale. I have re-read them a few times. I find sometimes after reading a book that I had to really think or plod through, I can whip through The Edible Woman for a "cleansing of the palate" so I can move onto another book. Don't know if my highschool english teacher would be so happy with that review though!!! Maybe that's part of the problem, there is such huge expectation in her books that many find them a let down. I know I have experienced that in the past with other books.

I find that people either love her work or hate. I personally am not a fan of hers. What about you?