Margaret Atwood

"A word after a word after a word is power" Margaret Atwood

            When you hear the name Margaret Atwood, what comes to mind?  I asked several people this question and besides the "Who's that?" I got from my son (…sigh…), most people answered that she’s Canadian and that she wrote The Handmaid's Tale. Other people said she wrote stuff that was "weird" or "dark."

            In fact, Margaret Atwood is a world famous novelist of many titles, as well as a poet, teacher, literary critic, environmental activist with a particular focus on oceans, and an inventor. I recently had the opportunity to hear her speak at a fundraiser THEMUSEUM hosted at Centre in the Square.  To be honest, I wasn't really sure what to expect with the headliner "From The Handmaid's Tale to Art &Technology." What I discovered was Margaret Atwood is actually quite funny, brilliant, profound, and a little bit saucy!  Daiene Vernile, former journalist, politician and cabinet member, led the conversation…that is unless Atwood wagged her finger and either pointed out that she wasn't finished talking, or would say "Didn't you mean to ask me about…?"

I learned that Atwood grew up with very scientific parents in northern Quebec where there was no school to attend.  Instead, she read any book she could get her hands on, including her parents scientific books.

When Vernile described her as visionary, Atwood disagreed.  She said she reads a lot of science newsletters and magazines, and that the seeds of her ideas can be found in these items. Scientific American is one of the magazines she reads faithfully.

As you may know, The Handmaid’s Tale is the story of a totalitarian group named Gilead, who has taken over the government in the United States.  Women who are still fertile are forced to become handmaids, in order to bear children for their masters and their wives. These handmaids have had their families, careers, and even their names have been taken away from them. Offred (she is now named this because she is of-Fred who is her master) tells her story, switching between her past life and her current circumstances.

            Atwood said she had one rule while she was writing The Handmaid’s Tale: that she would only include things that had already been done TO someone BY someone.  I don't know about you but I found this very scary. She finished writing this book in Alabama, and mentioned the irony of this considering their recent anti-abortion law.

            The popularity of The Handmaid's Tale has increased dramatically with the release of the TV series by the same name.  Season 1 and 2 are available on DVD, while Season 3 just recently began airing on Hulu or Crave. Many people don't realize that a lot of taping for the show occurs nearby, in Cambridge, Ontario.  You can search the Internet to look for familiar scenes or follow this link to Cbridge.ca for pictures and information.

            The handmaid's red cloak and wide white bonnet have become common sights at protests around the world. No words or signs are needed but the message they present is clear. Atwood seemed humbled that a costume she created in a book has become a powerful "voice" for women today.

            Atwood has now written a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale entitled The Testaments. It will be released this fall, on September 10^th. I can’t wait!