The Blind Assassin in Never too Late to Read Classics

Jun 19, 2015 Chrissie rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: canada, magic, audible-us, mystery, returned, hf, 2015-read

First of all, I totally agree with all who adore Atwood's words. How do you describe them, so those who have not yet read a book by Atwood will properly understand? You read one of Atwood's sentences and the words mean more than what is said. Each sentence has several meanings; it us up the reader to interpret them.

Many lines send your head into a twirl. How do people interact? What do you see if you observe carefully? Atwood says, "As for the dance, it was more like a battle than a dance." If First of all, I totally agree with all who adore Atwood's words. How do you describe them, so those who have not yet read a book by Atwood will properly understand? You read one of Atwood's sentences and the words mean more than what is said. Each sentence has several meanings; it us up the reader to interpret them.

Many lines send your head into a twirl. How do people interact? What do you see if you observe carefully? Atwood says, "As for the dance, it was more like a battle than a dance." If there is a stare, is it a stare of hostility, jealousy or joy?

What do you think of this line? "Romance means leaving things out." You must always read between the lines, Atwood's lines that is.

Some lines make you chuckle. Iris "scooped (the peanut butter) directly from the jar with her forefinger. Why dirty a spoon?" And you? Have you never done this?

Some lines create a tension, a feeling, "voices like liquid rope." Let me add here that the audiobook narration by Lorelei King is top-notch, superb. The voices sound here exactly as "liquid rope"! Children's and adults’, male and female, each character has a perfect intonation. Those told in first person, those in the third person, those in the crazy story within the story.

Then there are the lines of Reenie, the loyal Chase family housekeeper. She is responsible for the running commentary on the family's shenanigans. Her lines are pitch-perfect: "Business is business and then there is funny business." or "Loose your temper and you lose the fight." I should remember that myself! She is the one who raised both Chase girls, Laura the younger and Iris the older. It is a bit pat, by that I mean the role that she plays, but I couldn't help but like her! Reenie advises Laura to, "Think twice." Wise Laura responds, "Why only twice?" You may think she is young and naive but she has a head on her shoulders, that young one!

Enough about Atwood's words, I find them sometimes delightful, sometimes humorous, and often noteworthy. They say much more than what you take them for at first glance. This aspect of the writing I like VERY much.

BUT, I have had huge problems with the story within the story, also called "The Blind Assassin"! Making it even worse, there is a third story within the second story. All these stories within stories are confusing. The so called "clever" point, that is to be made, is NOT convincing, as far as I am concerned. I do not find (view spoiler) I find the fantasy, science fiction parts boring. I wanted those sections to end as soon as possible.

I admit, I like neither science fiction nor mystery! There is a mystery element too. The writing I appreciate, but not the plot.
...more

35 likes · Like · see review

Mar 03, 2008 Laura rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 1001-books-you-must-read-before-you, canadian-literature, man-booker-prize

Laura Chase's older sister Iris, married at eighteen to a politically prominent industrialist but now poor and eighty-two, is living in Port Ticonderoga, a town dominated by their once-prosperous family before the First War. While coping with her unreliable body, Iris reflects on her far from exemplary life, in particular the events surrounding her sister's tragic death ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Mar 10, 2018 Kelly_Hunsaker_reads ... rated it really liked it

Shelves: 1001-books

This book is good! It is complex and intricate; it is sometimes confusing. But Atwood told a story in three different narratives which she tied together perfectly in the end. This is a book that I will definitely revisit, because it is one that I am sure will only be richer and sweeter with a second reading. There are some wonderful reviews on Goodreads that do a good job of summarizing the story without spoiling it. I am not even going to try. Suffice it to say that I liked both Iris and Laura. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review