The Penelopiad is a retelling of Greek myth. Its central character is Penelope during the events of the Odyssey. In this short novel, Penelope tells her story from the underworld in the 21st century. She starts her retelling from childhood but is constantly refocusing on the role of women during this time and, thus, the overlooked injustice suffered by the twelve maids whom Telemachus and Odysseus killed upon his return.
This retelling gives Penelope a realistic and relatable voice. We feel bad for her, yet realize that life has always been unfair to women.
7. Cat’s Eye
Cat’s Eye follows the life of painter Elaine Risley as she looks back on her childhood. Central to her recollections is Cordelia, the dominant figure in a group of girls whose blend of cruelty and kindness leaves a lasting impact on Elaine’s view of relationships, which shapes her worldview and her art as she becomes an adult. Set during the mid-20th century, the novel also explores key cultural themes of the era, such as feminism and the rise of modern art movements.
6. The Robber Bride
The Robber Bride is about three women whose friendship is a result of one woman, Zenia, who destroyed each of their romantic relationships with men. She betrayed all three of them. Interestingly, they begin to meet at a restaurant, once every month, after Zenia’s funeral. However, during one of these meetings, they see Zenia herself.
In this story, there are so many different versions of Zenia in relation to the three women that, as a reader, we never know which one is true, if any. This is not a book to be read while sunbathing at the beach. It is intense and requires undivided attention.
5. Alias Grace
This novel is historical fiction inspired by the true murders of Thomas Kinnear and Nancy Montgomery in 1843. The title, Alias Grace, refers to the woman serving a life sentence for these killings.
While in prison, Grace is regularly visited by psychiatrist, Simon Jordan. His goal is to discover the truth about Grace: is she hysterical or a flat-out criminal? Being set in the 19th century, Dr. Jordan soon explores the new phenomenon of a “double personality” and how it may relate to Grace.
Alias Grace is a very good read that involves a lot of heavy thinking and reformation of beliefs.
4. The Testaments
The Testaments is Atwood’s sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale (listed below), although it was not released until 34 after the first book! It is set 15 years later and continues the story of life in theonomic Gilead.
While this book is also genius, the first is always better.
3. The Handmaid’s Tale
The Handmaid’s Tale is Atwood’s best-known novel. The events of the book are set in a dystopian society, The Republic of Gilead, formerly known as the United States. The “Handmaids” are women who have no rights of their own and are forced to bear children for the “Commanders.”
The Handmaid’s Tale is hugely popular for sending a very outspoken feminist message. While not merely written for the purpose of entertaining its audience, this novel is so well-written, and the dystopian world so complex, that it is impossible to put down.
2. The Edible Woman
The Edible Woman is Atwood’s first novel. The atmosphere of this book feels very different–more humorous–than her later works, but it is just as well-written and captivating. And, obviously, I like it well-enough to make it number 2 on my list.
The Edible Woman follows Marian McAlpin, a young woman who is described as “abnormally normal.” She has graduated university, has a steady job, and is dating the perfect boyfriend.
Quickly, however, Marian experiences a major shift in her mind and finds that she cannot eat certain foods. As days pass, she cannot bring herself to eat anything at all. She is completely alone with her problems until she meets the waifish Duncan. And even he is really no help.
As the cover of the new Vintage edition says, The Edible Woman is “a scathingly funny satire of consumerism and a heady exploration of emotional cannibalism.”
(Side note: The cover art of the first edition is impeccable. Look it up.)
1. The Blind Assassin
The Blind Assassin will always be my favorite Atwood book. There is no doubt about this changing.
This novel is set in the 1930s-1940s, but it is told by a central character, now an older woman, in the present day. It opens with supposed suicide of a young woman, Laura, as told by her sister, Iris. However, found within the telling of these girls’ lives, Atwood presents us with a story-within-a-story, also called The Blind Assassin.
Atwood reveals just enough information to keep you guessing and wanting to read more. But, when you least expect it, she gives a twist that changes everything.
This book is a collection of all of Margaret Atwood’s genius thoughts, put into one. As an aspiring writer myself, and a girl who believes herself to be born in the wrong century, I feel a deep connection to Iris and Laura, two girls whose separate lives are dictated by society.
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