Journal Entry 1 by Semioticghost from Ipswich, Suffolk United Kingdom on Monday, October 06, 2003

My favourite Margaret Atwood novel, this is somewhat
autobiographical, really insightful story about childhood bullies, art, and the nature of memory...

for the title page, which, to me, was an irresistable invitation to read this, please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0385491026/ref=lib_dp_TT01/102-6193877-0602514?v=glance&s=books&vi=reader&img=3#reader-link

Mailed to psychjo today- if more of you are interested, please pm me, and I'll start a ray.
 

Journal Entry 2 by psychjo from Bristol, not specified not specified on Monday, October 13, 2003

Thanks to Esther for sending this to me, it arrived in the post this morning, and has been added to my TBR pile.... 

Journal Entry 3 by psychjo from Bristol, not specified not specified on Thursday, June 03, 2004

Absolutely brilliant book. This is up there with 'The Handmaids Tale' as my favourite Margaret Atwood books. Really vivid portrayal of how horrid children can be to each other, and from both perspectives. Really reminded me of stuff from my own school life (though my experiences are probably not as exteme as some of the things that went on here), and I cring at how horrid we were to each other, and how easily the in people could become the out people, really on a whim. Also really enjoyed the story of Elaine's adult life and how some of those early experiences resontated, or alternatively were forgotten and maybe remembered at a later time. Memories are dealt with really well too, how they can come and go, and how different people can have entirely different memories/perspectives on the same event.

Ready to move on to someone else.... 

Journal Entry 4 by psychjo from Bristol, not specified not specified on Sunday, June 06, 2004

A couple of people have asked to read this so will set up a ray.....

Rules (Adapted from Muffin77)
1) Everyody should leave a journal entry when receiving the book and after the read! Please let us all know what you think about it...
2) Also PM the next person on the list for a mailing addy and when that person doesn't answer within 7 days MAX please PM the one after...
3) Everybody should also try to read the book soon - but in a joyful speed. It's not about how many books someone can read within a certain amount of time - it's about enjoying it... and also to remember it... one day you may be in any same situation and then it's good to know that those things don't only happen to you :)))
4) You can send the book via surface mail or airmail - that is completely up to you!!!
5) If you find you don't have the time to read it (within the next month?) when it's your turn please PM and I'll move you to a later slot.

Members:
1) Drift-words (UK)
2) Tehuti (UK)
3) Laura0141 (UK)
4) aubriel (UK)
5) SwanofKennet (UK)
6) CaterinaAnna (Uk)
Release into the world! 

Journal Entry 5 by psychjo from Bristol, not specified not specified on Tuesday, June 08, 2004

On it's way to Drift-Words now..... 

Journal Entry 6 by drift-words from Farncombe, Surrey United Kingdom on Friday, June 11, 2004

Journal Entry 7 by tehuti from Treorci, Wales United Kingdom on Friday, September 16, 2005

Apologies, because I obviously forgot to journal this book when I received it some time in summer 2005. This was a very powerful read and an eye opener. I have always been a loner, for various reasons and my friendships have mainly been confined to a few male lovers at certain phases of life. There have been times, when I felt sad about my lack of success in forming friendships - perhaps my expectations are too high and my definition of "friend" too rigorous, who knows. Margaret Attwood's exposition of female "friendship" makes me feel that maybe I have not missed out on much at all. At least books and music cannot scar a person for life in the same way as so-called friends can. 

Journal Entry 8 by tehuti from Treorci, Wales United Kingdom on Friday, October 07, 2005

Another two readers found for this ray so far:
Laura0141
aubriel 

Journal Entry 9 by laura0141 from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Thanks very much for this - I'll send it on to aubriel when I've read it.

Journal Entry 10 by laura0141 from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Monday, November 07, 2005

Will start reading today. 

Journal Entry 11 by laura0141 from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Saturday, November 26, 2005

I did start this book but am now passing it on unfinished for health reasons. What I did read was darkly compelling but not the best thing for me to be reading at the moment!

Journal Entry 12 by aubriel from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, December 08, 2005

Arrived safely, many thanks. 

Journal Entry 13 by aubriel from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Monday, January 16, 2006

I haven't rated this book because I wasn't quite sure what to think really. Whilst I like Atwood's books, I sometimes find I need to read them more than once to truly appreciate them, especially as someone who experienced more than a taste of what happened to Elaine. As such I could relate to the echos, but maybe a bit too much to immerse myself fully enough in the story.

Posted off to swan of kennet today. 

Journal Entry 14 by SwanOfKennet from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Arrived in the post this morning - thank you Aubriel.

This is my favourite amongst Margaret Atwood's books - probaly because what she secribes is so close to my own experience - and I'm very much looking forward to reading it again.