The Blind Assassin in Around the World in 80 Books

Dec 01, 2018 Lara rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is my 14th Margaret Atwood book and it was so unexpected. It starts slow and I didn't feel much of a compulsion to pick the book up during the first 1/3. The early chapters are almost intentionally irritating--opaque and at arm's length-- but then Atwood's writing becomes impossible to ignore. The novel is simply incredible, especially since the characters all remain a bit blurry. I can't quite put my finger on why it's so good except to say that I was highlighting passages every 2-3 pages ...more

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Jul 04, 2008 Jessica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: speculative-fiction, canada, 1001

Atwood is one of those writers that I forget how much I love until I pick up another and get transported all over again. This one's a knockout - a slow starter, but watching the various strands come together in their inexorable way leaves you a little breathless at how completely and perfectly designed the whole novel is. I don't often wonder too much about the authorial process (being more of an observer than a fellow wordsmith), but I'd love to know how much of the neatly mortise-and-tennoned ...more

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Feb 06, 2014 Rachel N. rated it liked it

This is really three books in one though the three stories intertwine. Iris Griffen is now in her 80's and she begins writing down her life story for her estranged granddaughter. Within this story is the book The Blind assassin written by Iris's sister Laura, which caused quite a scandal when it was released. then within Teh Blind assassin story there is a science fiction story told by one of the books characters. I found the story compelling and interesting though a bit long. ...more

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Nov 18, 2013 Susan rated it liked it

On the whole, I liked her writing and the story in general. Book was a bit too long and drawn out for the subject matter, could have been told in a couple hundred less pages. Altho some of the characters were interesting, none was likable.

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