The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

[noracharles]

We'll be reading and discussing The Blind Assassin from June 24th to June 30th. Only the first chapter is required reading to participate in the discussion, but of course you're very welcome to read on for as long as you enjoy the book.

The Blind Assassin opens with these simple, resonant words: "Ten days after the war ended, my sister Laura drove a car off a bridge." They are spoken by Iris, whose terse account of her sister's death in 1945 is followed by an inquest report proclaiming the death accidental. But just as the reader expects to settle into Laura's story, Atwood introduces a novel-within-a-novel. Entitled The Blind Assassin, it is a science fiction story told by two unnamed lovers who meet in dingy backstreet rooms. When we return to Iris, it is through a 1947 newspaper article announcing the discovery of a sailboat carrying the dead body of her husband, a distinguished industrialist. Brilliantly weaving together such seemingly disparate elements, Atwood creates a world of astonishing vision and unforgettable impact.

Because the first chapter is five and a half pages long, I am committing to reading at least the second chapter.

Comments

Re: II - The hard-boiled egg

[noracharles]

Hmm. It's a typical butch adventure tale, so interesting enough parody. If the guy is trying to impress her, why is he making it so self-consciously masculine and lurid? She seems to be into him, anyway. I always feel a little annoyed when the point of view character is shown to be really into a love interest but I have no idea what's supposedly so great about them.

Does the narrator have autobiographical properties of Laura? Probably, right? Laura's sister shares that creeping feeling of always being watched and evaluated by others.

Re: II - The hard-boiled egg

[blnchflr]

I always feel a lot annoyed, *g*. But then I decided I didn't care for either of them, so whatevs.

Re: II - The hard-boiled egg

[noracharles]

That's a good attitude to have about it! I'm definitely going to try to care less about the woman in Laura's book. I don't understand her choices and find it difficult to sympathize with her.

Re: II - The hard-boiled egg

[kabal42]

I was thinking the same. That she is probably a key or something for Laura. I find it hard to really get into either of the second and third tier stories, though the second especially. The third has the trappings of world building, which draws me in a little, as appalling as the world seems to be, and the first story has a good sense of mystery right now. I want to know where that one goes! (Shoot, I may have to read the entire thing *G* I found a preview of the first two chapters on google books for free.)

Re: II - The hard-boiled egg

[noracharles]

I'm glad you're reading along, I didn't think you would have time! I've been too busy since Sunday to read any further, but I still am a little tempted, to see if maybe it grows on me.

I do like the sense of mystery of Iris' story too, and I suppose I could like a story about a blind assassin if it turns more bad ass revenge tale than horrible mash-up of bolshevik hatred of nobility and low-self-esteem male hatred of women.

But I have to be honest, I checked out some reviews on amazon and good reads to find out if the people who dislike the same elements as I do notice them through out the whole book, and they do. :/

Re: II - The hard-boiled egg

[kabal42]

I wasn't sure I would, but thanks to you putting up the discussion post so early, I had time :)

Yes, same here. So I guess I hope ;) I might borrow it from the library and find out.

Too bad to hear, though :( And it does make me less inclined to read more.