Books: Margaret Atwood's Fan Club (is there such a thing?)

I read as a part of the healing process. It is not a burden. Those periods of time when I am under the weather, I read books that are memorable and wonderful. It is a a good memory...I don't remember the pain. Just the words.

Today a book of poetry by Mary Oliver was purchased. Dog Songs was the one I chose. It turns out I love dogs a lot. I don't own one but I have a lot of "dog" friends. They are perfect, barking and alive. It is a comfort for me somehow.

The quote I saw today on Facebook was from Swan: Poems and Prose Poem. Beacon Press. It went like this:

finally i saw

that worrying had come to nothing.

and gave it up. and took my old body

and went out into the morning

and sang.

-mary oliver

Such a few words but such a beautiful thought. That is where we come to when we live inside an old body.

So now I have to confess that I have a pain (not am a pain which is different). I went to see a doctor, made an appointment for an ultrasound so I feel better today...of course. But, even though I feel better, I will keep the appointment like a good patient.

And I will read and write in the mean time.

So finally, I am down to the book I just finished. I am a late arrival in the Margaret Atwood fan club so those of you that have appreciated her writing forever will have to forgive me. I have read The Handmaid's Tale and the sequel to that book called The Testament. Both were excellent. But the last book was the best of any so far. Cat's Eye really did call me back over and over. It was published in the late 1980's so had been around for a while. I picked it up at a second hand store for one dollar less than the original price. (a steal in this day and age)

I think that this story felt real...it could have easily have been an autobiography even though Atwood put a disclaimer at the front of the book stating that it was not. From beginning childhood memories to that part of the heroines life where she came to terms with what had happened then, I was carried along in the story.

I kept saying to my husband...how did she do that? It was believable and relevant. I can see how anyone of any age could learn from her words and enjoy the experience of reading words at the same time. To say that I loved the book just isn't enough.

What Fan Club are you joining? I would love to know.

Comments

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