THE BLIND ASSASSIN (REISSUE)

Having read two books from Atwood in 2016 - The Robber Bride and now The Blind Assassin - my target for next year is set and that is to read all books written by Margaret Atwood (and from Alice Munro).Coming to this book - The Blind Assassin had me glued to it from the very first page, to be precise from the very first line:"Ten days after the war ended, my sister Laura drove a car off a bridge."What comes next is story, a story within that story and then another story - one is that of the two sisters, the other about two lovers who are just referred as he, him, she, her and then the story set in another time narrated by one of these lovers.This book is very cleverly and beautifully written. As you read page after page, you learn a lot about the characters in this book but you are not sure about which character you are getting the details of. I was clear quite early in the book about what the secret might be and what the author is trying to keep hidden. But, still Atwood being a brilliant author makes you question your understanding and kills the Sherlock in you. You would not trust your decision and you would look for the subtle hints Atwood drops throughout the book to be sure that the detective in you has been right all along.I loved The Robber Bride and I loved this book even more. The book works for me in every area - the extraordinary and remarkable narration, the grey characters and an amazing but dark story.A fantastic, soul-stirring book

The book arrived in a good condition. No damage found on the book. Its authentic and well taken care. The only problem is i was expecting the cover to be the same as shown in the platform but nonetheless the book is good.

“Where were we? I've forgotten.He was deciding whether to cut her throat or love her forever.Right. Yes. The usual choices.”This book left me happy. However mistake not, there is nothing happy about this book. There is war, there is death, lots of tragedy and also a bit of suspense. However by the time I reached the end, I was happy or more precisely satisfied at having read this amazingly crafted novel. Before this I hadn't read any of Margaret Atwood's novels, although I had heard a lot about her. So when I started off with this book, I did not know what to expect having no idea about her writing style. However, she did not disappoint. Margaret Atwood has done a marvelous job of storytelling. She beautifully unfolds the story of two sisters, Iris and Laura, told from Iris's point of view. The way she reveals the plot to the readers, with multiple stories being told simultaneously, makes it difficult to put the book down until you have reached the very end. After reading this book I have become an Atwood fan and will definitely be reading more of her.

Margaret atwood playfully mixes the genre here in this one special book. It revolves around the life of 2 sisters, experiencing their life as disinterested pawns in upper class society of Canada. On top it looks like a typical read of sisters going through motions of life, a cliched plot if there ever was one. But in hands of Atwood she mixes a parallel & a well done scifi story along the main plot, with a series of passionate lovers escapades intermixed it with giving it a noir feel & all these runs in parallel to an uninspiring main plot to give it a much needed twist & a dash of brilliance from the writer's perspective.As per the book it starts off very well as we are introduced to the characters & taken on a journey through their childhood, their adventures all told in a manner of first person narrative with a flashback. As you slowly begin o hate Iris of her robot like detached submissive nature which makes Laura look like livewire in contrast.Plot doesn't slacken & flows smoothly keeping your interest occupied for half the book or so, Once the main characters go past their "coming of age" narrative, the plots starts crawling, the emotional investment demanded by first half of the book begins to fade away as we roll towards an inevitable & mostly predictable climax. One thing I would have likes is to know more about Alex, as the book is filled with just too many female characters for my liking(Iris, Laura, Renee, Aimee, Sabrina, Winifred) and Alex did seem like an interesting character but we sadly there is no payoff there. Also little is know on Aimee & Sabrina who seems to have had a tougher life & there are just 2 or 3 pages max to address it, which feels lacking, maybe the first person narrative is to blame for it.Atwood's writing style is what keeps this book above par, ability to mix genres effortlessly, her witticisms, social commentary, Iris's monologues of love, life, old age, memories are all sharp & worth rereading again. This is what in my opinion elevates this from a 3 star to 4 star ratings if this is what you are looking for in a book. The book does feel bloated especially towards end but has a gentle start that will suck you in right away. So if you are picking this up make sure that once you are past the middle part ypu can skip stuffs & you wouldn't be missing much, except for Atwood's writing brilliance, plotwise it gets bare towards end with a gimmicky, soap opera feel to it.

Very emotional and to say too much touching work by arguably one of the best living authors. And the style in which it is written is unique intriguing but still very understanding. A must read for anyone who like good fiction.

Though still I have come half way across this book, its a difficult read to place all the puzzles of the story, but can be deciphered with patience.I'll update once I read the full book.

Amazing, thrilling and exceptionally well written plot. Must read once in a life time. Iris chase is unremarkable. Margaret Atwood at her best once again

The novel is intriguing from the very first line, and keeps this up, astonishingly, throughout its length of 600+ pages!Remarkable talent! remarkable felicity of language! And the moments it creates on this longish journey are a bonus!

Added by an intertwined plot. Really surprising

Well as usual,this book did not disappoint.All over the map,yet everything lines up....typical Margaret...Thanks for the journey.Until,Mark OliverThanks Margaret,what a ride,Until,Mark Oliver😄

appassionante la scrittura, la storia, il messaggio

Brilliant writing

TV success of The Handmaids Tale may have put this one on the forefront of M. Atwood's production, but The Blind Assassin is a literary masterpiece of wider and deeper ambition. A fabulous, engaging read.