Margaret Atwood’s seminal The Handmaid’s Tale has been on my “to read” list since it was published in 1985. Almost forty years later, I finally cracked the cover.
Of course, I knew the premise. I’d also seen parts of the Hulu show based on the text, but digging into the source material was far more rewarding. Atwood’s descriptive and plotting skills are a crash course in novel writing; readingThe Handmaid’s Tale has—at least temporarily—cured the case of writer’s block I’ve struggled with since 2020.
The story is also a relevant and thoroughly worthwhile read, especially with the current state of our world.
** THE SUNDAY TIMES NO. 1 BESTSELLER ** **A BBC BETWEEN COVERS BIG JUBILEE READ**
Go back to where it all began with the dystopian novel behind the award-winning TV series.
'As relevant today as it was when Atwood wrote it' Guardian
I believe in the resistance as I believe there can be no light without shadow; or rather, no shadow unless there is also light.
Offred is a Handmaid in The Republic of Gilead, a religious totalitarian state in what was formerly known as the United States. She is placed in the household of The Commander, Fred Waterford -…
Kurt Vonnegut’s Breakfast of Champions is a masterpiece. But its genius snuck up on me, due to its unconventional form and not-immediately-obvious plot.
The language is deceptively simple, the chapters are short, and it’s filled with hand-drawn illustrations. Also, although it deals with many big themes—including racism, sexism, death, capitalism, and mental illness—it took a while for that to become obvious. What starts out like a collection of unique character studies ends up coming together as a magnum opus about the troubling state of American society in the 1970s.
Note: I had to stop a few times to remember that BOC was written at a time when writers were “permitted” to use the “n” word in their art. I believe if Vonnegut were writing today, he’d use “Black.”
In a frolic of cartoon and comic outbursts against rule and reason, a miraculous weaving of science fiction, memoir, parable, fairy tale and farce, Kurt Vonnegut attacks the whole spectrum of American society, releasing some of his best-loved literary creations on the scene.
'Vonnegut explains everything from an apple to the pyramids...weird, fast and inventive' Daily Telegraph
As a former bulimic who wrote a novel about a bulimic woman, I have a sense of how difficult it must be to write a memoir focused on eating disorders. Memoirs are tricky when family members are key characters; they’re trickier when those family members have caused significant suffering.
But Jeannette McCurdy—a former child star with a horrific history of eating disorders—manages to write a clear-eyed, unflinching account of her relationship with her narcissistic, controlling late mother. She doesn’t shy away from dark themes or placing blame on her mother, but somehow retains a sense of humor that makes the book an excellent—albeit often painful—read.
A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor-including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother-and how she retook control of her life.
Jennette McCurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. Her mother's dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and Jennette would do anything to make her mother happy. So she went along with what Mom called "calorie restriction," eating little and weighing herself five times a day. She endured extensive at-home makeovers while…
Leaving the Beach is a novel about a lonely bulimic woman named Erin who believes she’s destined to become the life partner of a rock icon. As a teenager, Erin obsesses over Jim Morrison and David Bowie. Later, she focuses her affection on Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello. But no matter what she does, these men remain unattainable to Erin.
Then, in 1991, she has a brief encounter with grunge singer Lenny Weir and decides he’s the one. Unfortunately, Lenny has serious drug issues and reportedly dies shortly thereafter. But Erin can’t help hoping Lenny faked his death to escape the trappings of fame. Then a mysterious man with a lot in common with Lenny drives into her life. Is it coincidence? Or destiny?
