Re: the title The Blind Assassin

[Wendy]

The best titles work on multiple levels, right? So The Blind Assassin obviously refers to the title of the novel within the novel which comes from the character who is a blind assassin. But is there more to it?

At first I was thinking that Alex was the blind assassin, telling the story and pointing out to his lover that she was the mute one, that he was saving her.

But thinking on it more, I'd say that Iris is really the blind assassin of the title. Her not seeing what was going on led to death - three deaths, actually: her sister, her husband, her daughter.

Just an idea. What does anybody else think?

[Clara]

I think you are right. I've just finished this book. At some point towards the end, Iris clearly talk about her guilt. So, yes, she is the real blind assassin.

[Ben]

How about this? Was Iris inspired to publish the novel, which so damaged Richard's reputation (i.e. she was an assassin) out of blind rage or a sense of blind justice?

[Clara]

I would say revenge and redemption. She wants to hurt Richard for what he did to Laura and redeem her faults in this story.

[Mridula]

couldn't go through this one however highly recommended!

[Cameron]

So...should I read it?

[Amy]

I've just re-read this novel and find all your comments really interesting. I definitely think Iris was the true blind person here but she wasn't an assassin. A true assassin coldly and calculatedly kills. If she was responsible for anyone's deaths - and I don't personally believe she was - it was accidental.

Cameron: read it!

[Kelcie]

Read this book, for sure. I agreed that throughout the book, I also saw Alex as a blind assassin. However, I think I'd have to re-read it to see Iris as the blind assassin. I think surely she thinks of herself that way--she takes a lot of blame in this book for Laura. Ugh Margaret Atwood is just so clever, isn't she?

[Clara]

What other book by Margaret Atwood have you read? What do you recommend?

[Fred]

Clara wrote: "What other book by Margaret Atwood have you read? What do you recommend?"
Anything by Margaret Atwood is more then worth reading. Alias Grace is a great book, and if you like dystopian literature, there is "The handmaid's tale" and more recently "Oryx and Crake" and "The year of the flood".
"The blind assassin" by the way, is one of my favorite books ever. I re-read I when I finished it, and read it two times since then.

[Rebecca]

I would definitely recommend ANYTHING by Atwood - The Blind Assassin is actually one of my least favourites, so if you like that, I would recommend (as above) Oryx & Crake (surreal, dystopian stuff, a bit of a headspinner!) and A Handmaid's Tale (again, dystopian, warning of the perils of 'religion' at the expense of morality).

Alias Grace is probably my favourite of all Atwoods (so far!), and Cat's Eyes, though less meaty and in-depth than others, is predictably gritty, as is Robber Bride.

If you enjoy poetry she has written some cracking pieces, a lot of which you can read free online.

Will definitely need to get hold of Edible Woman, and The Year of the Flood soon!

[Clara]

Thanks for the recommendations. I have now read "The Handmaid's Tale" and "Cat's Eye". They are both amazing, powerful, captivating books.

[Susan]

Agree that Iris is the Blind Assassin. Some people in my book group thought she deliberately turned a blind eye to what Richard was doing to Laura, but I don't believe that. I just think she was busy protecting herself and having the best life she could have with a horrible husband, and neglected Laura until it was too late.

My favorite Margaret Atwood is Alias Grace. Any of you read that?