The Blind Assassin in Pick-a-Shelf

Mar 17, 2007 emily rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-and-crime, fiction-historical, favorites, fiction-nongenre, 2007-and-earlier, to-reread, best-of-women-writers, book-within-a-book, 6-star-reads

This is one of my favorite books, and one of the best novels I've ever read, partially because it's actually three stories in one. Atwood is a master storyteller, and she weaves together the three tales to produce a novel whose surprise ending makes the reader question everything they've learned about the characters throughout the course of the book. Beautifully written as always; don't miss this one. ...more

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May 16, 2020 Lynlee4 rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 1001books, 2020

This is a strong 4 star. Great story but I did get lost in some places as there is a lot going on. I absolutely love Iris ❤️

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Nov 12, 2008 Tien rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, canada

It was very confusing to begin with and up til midway, I didn't realise that there was actually only ONE narrator. Somehow, I thought there were 2 narrators and then I realised that I was completely off. In a way, I supposed, this explores her theme of secrecy - the double lives Iris Montford Chase was living.

The very interesting bits were the sci-fi parts and how they were fitted into the narratives. Absolutely fascinating! (Disclaimer: am not a big sci-fi fan though I don't mind the occasional ...more

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Feb 18, 2010 Lindsay rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, z2010, 1001

This is one of those books that develops slowly, drawing you in, and then starts to gather momentum until you want to do anything to turn the characters from paths they are walking because you can see exactly where they're leading and it's nowhere good. And yet that's the point where you can't put the book down because while you can see the big picture, the fine details are yet to be filled in, and they're the bits that make it wonderful. ...more

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Aug 26, 2008 Nicole rated it it was ok

Shelves: 1001-list, 2011

I've read a couple of Margaret Atwood's other books, and generally find her writing a little off the wall. I wanted this book to be the one that saved it for me and made me love her, but unfortunately it was a no go. Around page 175, I slipped into skim mode as I didn't hate it enough not to finish it, but also didn't really want to read the full 500+ pages. ...more

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