Sunday, November 24, 2024

Fiction by Margaret Atwood

Surfacing
~ by Margaret Atwood, 1972, literary fiction, 233 pages 

This novel grapples with notions of national and gendered identity, anticipated rising concerns about conservation and preservation and the emergence of Canadian nationalism.  It tells the story of a woman who returns to her home-town in Canada to find her missing father.  Accompanied by her lover, Joe, and a married couple, Anna and David, the unnamed protagonist meets her past in her childhood house, recalling events and feelings, while trying to find clues to her father's mysterious disappearance.  Little by little, the past overtakes her and drives her into the realm of wildness and madness.  What she really discovers is the truth about her past, her inner fears, and the strengths she never knew she had.
Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.

4 comments:

Anne@HeadFullofBooks said...

Sounds like classic Atwood. Did you like it?

My Sunday Salon post

Bonnie Jacobs said...

It isn't a favorite so far, but I just started it last night.

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

I haven't read nearly as much Margaret Atwood as I would like to have read. I hope you will share more about Surfacing soon.

Happy Thanksgiving, Bonnie!

Olivia Beck said...

Oh wow! Surfacing sounds really intruding. I read The Handmaid’s Tale and the story stuck with me - and of course I had no idea how prescient it would be. So it’s time for another.