tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post1243059310828472849..comments2024-03-18T11:01:42.459-05:00Comments on Pretty Sinister Books: NEW STUFF: Hag-Seed - Margaret AtwoodJ F Norrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-45923292749912100122017-04-13T22:16:15.958-05:002017-04-13T22:16:15.958-05:00Other than this I've only read ALIAS GRACE by ...Other than this I've only read ALIAS GRACE by Atwood and I also thought that was well done. Soon to be a TV miniseries, I hear, but since I don't pay for cable or streaming services I'll not be able to watch it. I attempted to read her pulp fiction homage (THE BLIND ASSASSIN), but gave up halfway. This is much shorter than either of those other novels, and I think its probably her most commercial and accessible novel in years. The only troublesome aspects are the sections devoted to Felix and his fantasies of his dead daughter, also called Miranda, who he imagines back into life. That's stretching the Felix/Prospero duality a bit too much. You may find those parts mawkish at times. I think my love of THE TEMPEST allowed me to be more forgiving than most readers. It certainly was more funny than I expected it to be and the caper aspect was a real bonus.J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-11986993901599308702017-04-13T20:30:05.689-05:002017-04-13T20:30:05.689-05:00I haven't read any Atwood since The Robber Bri...I haven't read any Atwood since <i>The Robber Bride</i>, which I should've pitched against the wall (but it was a signed first). Has it really been over twenty years? My reaction to her writing is unlike that of any other author. I either really like or really hate her books; there is no in-between... no indifference. My problem is that I've been unable to determine which way things will go before I leap in. That said, you've encouraged me to give this one a go.<br /><br />Of course you're right about the covers. Fortunately, the Knopf Canada edition uses the same as the Hogarth. You've reminded me of an American friend who on a visit spotted the Canadian edition of Richard Ford's <i>Canada</i>, then donated his American edition to the local public library book sale.<br /><br />Oh, and come to Stratford! As Patti can tell you, we live just twenty minutes down the road. You know you'll have a place to stay. Brian Busbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04120341319506205062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-75566744148144746152017-04-13T18:24:58.731-05:002017-04-13T18:24:58.731-05:00I think you would very much enjoy this book since ...I think you would very much enjoy this book since you know the Stratford Festival so well form your annual visits. Atwood says that Felix was inspired by former Stratford artistic director Robin Phillips.<br /><br />You ought not to wait. I ordered mine from Book Depository. Cheap price and always free shipping with them! (I feel like I've become their marketing tool.)J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-11460635340010730772017-04-13T16:16:30.267-05:002017-04-13T16:16:30.267-05:00Eager to read but you are right, what an awful cov...Eager to read but you are right, what an awful cover. pattinase (abbott)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02916037185235335846noreply@blogger.com