One of Atwood's best novels, in my not-even-slightly-humble opinion.

She's been there. An "outsider" kid. Has to have been. No other way she could get it so right. Almost scary. Forget that... just plain scary. She captures the feeling of a kid who doesn't fit in, whose "friends" don't care, whose parents can't help... well, anyway, it's a great book. Made me cry (and that's not easy for somebody who thought he was past all that to say). The great ray of hope in the book is that the protagonist *has* got past all that, more or less. She's a successful, recognized painter... respected by her peers and the critics, loved by her family, and so on. Gives the rest of us hope. Gives me hope, anyway. Go read it.

Plot, you ask? A successful painter is invited back to her home town (Toronto) for a retrospective show of her work. While there, she is haunted by flashbacks to her childhood there, but eventually comes to an acceptance of her past as necessary steps to her present. (I hate plot summaries... they make any book sound insipid. Trust me: it's a great book. Did I say that already? It's true, anyway.)

Just received this book in the mail from Zorkzero--- wasn't expecting to get it so soon! Thanks for sending it along! After your glowing review, i look forward to comparing notes! :)

Will finally be starting on this book, after just finishing another Atwood classic--- The Robber Bride. Will see how this one goes!

Well, I have to say I enjoyed this book. As you say, Zorkzero, in this book, Atwood really does capture the feelings of being outside, alone, helpless, beaten.

I felt emotionally cramped up for days while I was reading the torturous parts of the story where she is abused by her peers. That just plain hurt. The pain of that secret dread--- she painted it so poignantly! I think this book is very cathartic for those of us who may have been trod upon like that--- she comes out of it okay, if slightly dysfunctional (but aren't we all in one way or another!)--- as well as those who have never considered how hurtful and life-altering actions and attitudes can be.

It was interesting to me to see how Elaine's painful childhood translated into her adult actions, particularly because her way of dealing with the trauma was to repress instead of acknowledging and dealing with what happened to her.

I found it strange, though, after everything, all the bad blood on both sides, that she regretted how things turned out and still wished she could be old and sit and giggle and drink tea with her antagonist. Is this forgivness, or reversion or a form of pity? I couldn't figure that out.

But, in any case, a good book. Will release it soon! Thanks, Zorkzero, for sending it to me! Much appreciated!

Released on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at Private Release to Another Book Crosser in Kingston, Ontario Canada.

Sending this off to robbiesmum in the UK--- hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Cat's Eye arrived very quickly from Canada. Their mailing system must be very good! This is one of 2 Margaret Atwood books I haven't read, so I'm looking forward to it.

Promised to Loopy1

I felt very lonely reading this book, like an outcast as Elaine was. That is the way Atwood writes - the emotions on the page can literally tear into the reader. I found the flashbacks both fascinating and scary as a place and people have changed, and question "are we the same people we were at thirteen?"

I am perhaps being a bit harsh with my rating - it's only in comparison to her other books. This was not my favourite Atwood book, but it was still very good.

I'm passing it on to Loopy1. Happy reading!

Released on Thursday, June 19, 2003 at Postal Release to Loopy1 in Lancaster, lancashire United Kingdom.

Book exchange with Loopy1. Hope you enjoy the book!

It arrived this morning, thanks :-)
Well, I've never read any Margaret Atwood books, or even heard of her, so I have no idea what to expect, but it sounded so interesting from the other journal entries that I asked for this.
I'll journal again once I've read it.

I have to admit I was a little disappointed in this book. I started reading it soon after I got it, then gave it a long break. Finally this week I got back to it, in the knowledge that if I didn't finish it soon I never would.
I felt the author described very well the feeling of being an outsider, but I had to admit feeling like Elaine's mother, wishing her daughter would get a backbone and deal with things. Maybe it's because I've never had the feeling of desperately wanting to fit in - I was fairly happy to remain on the outside.
Still, the way the main character incorporates her childhood into her adult self and uses her past to create her present - in her paintings as well as in her personality - made for an interesting story.
Although when I got to the end I was left with a definite feeling of anticlimax - questions I thought would be answered weren't.

This book is heading out next to KathyS, who showed her psychic abilities by requesting as a trade the very TBR book I was actually in the process of reading at the time ;-)

Received this morning - thanks Loopy. I'm looking forward to giving Margaret Atwood a go, but the TBR piles are now at mountain proportions so don't hold your breath! Especially as the ring/rays I've signed up for are all arriving at once :-o

Has this book really sat on my shelves for the past THREE years waiting TBR?!!! Doesn't time fly when you're inundated with bookrings/rays?!

I've picked this book up on a number of occasions and not been able to get into it, and then a bookring would arrive and it would go back on the shelf. This time I picked it up but nothing else disturbed my reading so I could give it a real good go. But, unfortunately, it is just not my cup of tea. It just hasn't grabbed me and made me want to pick it up and continue reading. I find myself reading a paragraph or two and then my mind wandering off. I've stuck to the 50 page rule and just can't get excited about reading on :o( I'm sure it is well worth the effort, but time is short and I've only just started to enjoy reading again and I don't want to spend the next few weeks ploughing my way through a book that just isn't entertaining me. Thankfully I've learnt that I don't have to feel guilty about not finishing the book; it is sufficient that I've given it a try and that I will endeavour to find it a new reader.

The order for this bookray is:
turquoisefloyd - Leonie
celticseahorse - Jane

RELEASE NOTES:

On it's way via 2nd class post to Turquoisefloyd. Enjoy :o)

Just to let you know Kathy, that I've received the book today and will send it onto celticseahorse as soon as I hear from her!

RELEASE NOTES:

Not my RABCK, It's one from KathyS! Going in the post today :-)

Arrived safely today from turquoisefloyd..from KathyS..hope to get to start it by end of the month..this year..grin..maybe same time as Leonie as she now has a copy at same time?
Coincidences seem to happen with this book?
it certainly has seen a bit of the world so even if I don't get into it before end of month will take it for a visit to my monthly readers group at Truro Library not quite so exciting as Peru! but maybe the fact the book has been there will help me get a BC convert..in the style suggested by a BCUK member
ooooohhh look where this book has been!! Canada to Cornwall in 4 years 10 days via Uk and Peru, with a long stop in Cambridgeshire and a flying last visit to Suffolk..
Thanks for the book Kathy xx Leonie xx

I liked the detail and style. Loved the description of the art work. The story got bit overworked for me kept waiting for something to happen..had a struggle to finish it. I guess I was looking for some sort of resolution..which did happen in a way..I suppose but think I was looking for something bit more dynamic..but then it was in character?

The family and detail of the time and their travels I found fascinating. The most touching part for me was what happened to the brother.

The bullying rang true but didn't seem too scarey to a boardingschool survivor where bullying was the order of the day from staff, older senior school and fellow classmates LOL.
After a year of that at age 10.. day primary school faschism seemed quite tame when I went back for my last year before all girls Grammar school..which was another story again! single sex environments certainly bring out something in females..

Will now look for someone to pass this onto..

Forgot to move this over to available

I have now put this into the Around the world VBB being run by Katrinat and look forward to it leaving the Uk after quite a long stay here ..for adventures further abroad :-)

Being offered as an author from 'Canada'
Now on reserve

Well this little book is on its travels again courtesy of Katrinat's Around the World VBB it is off to Singapore. All packed and labelled off via Surface Post to Meexia..happy travelling little book and happy reading I hope Meexia :-)
Posted surface on 1 July 2008 but they say that means it will go by airmail once container full..so we will see how long it takes..

Got this book a few days ago! Thanks for sending it out celticseahorse, and for the cute postcard =D

I can't believe I've had this book for 15 years?! Time does fly.
I brought this book from Singapore to Australia then to the UK, but unfortunately it never got to the top of my TBR. I'm finally moving out of the UK and clearing up. And it's about time to release this book to the wild. Have a good journey little book!