The Blind Assassin in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

Dec 23, 2008 Rebecca rated it it was ok

Shelves: did-not-finish, bookclub-read

I really wanted to give this book 2.5 stars, but that is not an option. And, I can't say I really liked it, so I will stick with 2. I did abandon this book at page 264 of 521, something which I almost never do. I abandoned it for a couple of reasons. (1) I just think anything over about 350 pages is just too long for a bookclub read. (2) It was a very depressing story that just kept getting more depressing. At about page 250, I realized the only reason I was still reading it was to find out what ...more

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Aug 05, 2008 Jaspreet rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I am really enjoying this book. Unfortunately, I keep having to put it aside to finish books that are either due at the library or need to be discussed at book club!
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The characters in the book are really starting to grow on me. In particular, the older Chase sister whose name has currently escaped me. Because I have two new selections to read for book club and a library book due, I fear that I will have to put this book on hol I am really enjoying this book. Unfortunately, I keep having to put it aside to finish books that are either due at the library or need to be discussed at book club!
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The characters in the book are really starting to grow on me. In particular, the older Chase sister whose name has currently escaped me. Because I have two new selections to read for book club and a library book due, I fear that I will have to put this book on hold again. I wish that I could find a way to read more during the day.
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I have been reading Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood since August. I kept having to put the book on the back burner, so that I could finish the selection for a book club meeting. Fortunately, the book is divided into easy to read chapters. While it was tricky to keep track of the story within the story, I found Atwood's writing really accessible. Towards the end of the book, there are a few plot twists. While many of them are unexpected, I did not find them unrealistic. Instead, I thought "Atwood is a genius" and "I cannot believe I have not read any of her other novels."

Memoir and science fiction are both present in the book and are connected to each other. I, especially, enjoyed the perspective of Iris. She reminds me of a stereotypical older sibling-- who sacrifices, tries to be good, and protect her younger sibling. Through her memoir, a big part of the story unfolds. The hindsight with which she makes sense of her past is (for lack of a more profound word) lovely. Iris discusses the complications of being connected with a man to have status and power; however, she finds strength and courage to venture off on her own.

Another reason I enjoyed the book is the way both Iris and Laura find ways to be independent in the midst of having so many societal restrictions. As cheesy as it sounds, this is one of the best books I have read in a long time!!
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Apr 12, 2009 William rated it it was amazing

It's loss and regret and misery and yearning that drive the story forward, along its twisted road.

Every time i read a novel by Margaret Atwood, i'm left with the clear belief that she is one of the greatest writers in living memory, perhaps even the absolute greatest. The Blind Assassin continued this for me.

It's perhaps her most ambitious novel, with a time zone that spans several generations and deals with many different aspects of human life. As usual with Atwood, there's a number of themes t ...more

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