Book Review

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
I have always preferred Atwood's short fiction to her novels, but this is undoubtedly her masterpiece. Atwood tells the story of Iris Chase Griffen, who is coming to the end of her life and needs to set the record straight. Iris does this by telling the story of her early life, which is bound up in the story of her sister Laura who died at 25 and posthumously became a celebrated author. Iris's tale is interspersed with Laura's one novel, The Blind Assassin, which tells the story of a pair of secret lovers. When these lovers meet in squalid apartments, they tell each other the story of the planet Zycron and the fabled city of Sakiel-Norn, which exist in another dimension of space. As we move deeper into the tale, we understand that this is all one story, broken into facets. Atwood's writing is exquisite throughout, but never more so than when constructing the pulp scifi story the lovers tell. Laura is one of the most fascinating characters I've ever come across and Iris is so complete that you almost forget she isn't real. If you like Atwood, read this and enjoy. If you think you don't like Atwood, read this and become a fan.