Épisodes

  • Biography Flash: Margaret Atwood Says The Handmaid's Tale Becoming More Plausible as Memoir Tour Sells Out
    Dec 10 2025
    Margaret Atwood Biography Flash a weekly Biography.

    Margaret Atwood continues to dominate the literary and cultural conversation as she embarks on a whirlwind tour promoting her highly anticipated memoir, Book of Lives. The eighty-six-year-old Canadian literary icon made headlines this past weekend when she appeared on BBC Radio Four's Desert Island Discs, where she discussed the increasingly prescient nature of her dystopian masterpiece, The Handmaid's Tale. According to RTE and The Independent, Atwood revealed that the events depicted in her 1985 novel are becoming "more and more plausible" in today's political climate. She acknowledged that when she first conceived the story, she considered the plot "bonkers," noting that America was once seen as "the beacon of light." However, Atwood emphasized that everything shifted in 2016, and the parallels between her fictional Republic of Gilead and current reality have become impossible to ignore. She clarified that while the iconic red cloaks and white bonnets worn by handmaids won't necessarily materialize, "the rest of it seems more and more plausible."

    On the touring front, Atwood has been incredibly active. Vancouver Civic Theatres reports that she appeared at the Orpheum Theatre on December ninth as part of the Vancouver Writers Fest, where she discussed how her life has shaped her art over her staggering career. The Edmonton Convention Centre announced that her Edmonton event on December thirteenth sold out, though organizers opened a waitlist. During this appearance, Atwood will demonstrate solidarity with libraries fighting book bans across Canada and internationally, with proceeds benefiting the Edmonton Public Library. TO Live confirms she's scheduled to appear in Toronto on December seventeenth at seven PM, with tickets priced at fifty-two dollars and fifty cents for general admission.

    Despite the grim themes of her work, Atwood expressed cautious optimism during her BBC interview. She noted that oppressive regimes like Gilead don't last because they become unsustainable, and she emphasized Americans' resilience and independent spirit. She also stressed that her speculative fiction isn't born from imagination but rather from meticulously researched historical precedents.

    Thanks for joining us on Biography Flash. Don't miss our next episode by subscribing now. Search Biography Flash for more compelling biographical deep dives into the people shaping our world.

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    3 min
  • Biography Flash: Margaret Atwood Unveils Memoir While Warning Her Dystopian Fiction Is Becoming Reality
    Dec 7 2025
    Margaret Atwood Biography Flash a weekly Biography.

    Margaret Atwood has stepped into the spotlight again this week, not with dystopian fiction, but with her own life story. Her long awaited memoir Book of Lives has just been released, and Atwood has been everywhere explaining why, at this late stage in a towering career, she finally agreed to turn the lens on herself. On NPRs Book of the Day, she joked that a memoir is really a catalogue of stupid things you did, near death experiences, catastrophes and jokes, and described sweating blood over compressing eight and a half decades into one book. NPR and CBC both highlight that she dug into old, unpublished writings and even started having strange dreams and conversations with the dead as she wrote, a detail that will almost certainly become part of her long term biographical lore.

    The other big headline in the past day comes via the BBC and was picked up by RTE, where Atwood used a Desert Island Discs appearance to warn that the world of The Handmaids Tale is becoming more and more plausible. She told the programme that what once seemed bonkers now feels chillingly close, especially in the wake of political polarization and attacks on reproductive rights. That line is getting wide pickup and adds fresh weight to her decades long reputation as the so called prophet of doom.

    On the public stage, Book of Lives is driving a mini tour that also says a lot about her priorities right now. Vancouver is getting Margaret Atwood in Conversation at the Orpheum on December 9, in partnership with the Vancouver Writers Fest, where organizers promise a career spanning discussion of how her life has shaped her art, and even tease a special musical element, according to Vancouver Is Awesome and Vancouver Civic Theatres. In Calgary, Wordfest bills her December 10 appearance as the grand finale of their 30th anniversary year, again centered on the memoir. Then on December 13 she heads to the Edmonton Convention Centre for an event presented by Audreys Books, closing the stores 50th anniversary year and explicitly supporting libraries resisting book bans, with a portion of ticket sales going to the Edmonton Public Library, as noted by the venue and local organizers. Toronto will have its own In Conversation with Margaret Atwood at the Jane Mallett Theatre on December 17, listed by TO Live and ticket platforms, extending her cross country visibility.

    Taken together, the verified picture of the last few days is of an 86 year old literary icon using a new memoir, a high profile 60 Minutes teaser from CBS, and a run of live events to lock in her legacy, defend embattled libraries, and remind audiences that the nightmare world she imagined 40 years ago is, in her words, a perennial possibility. There are no credible reports of major new business ventures or personal scandals in this window; any online gossip about film deals or secret projects remains purely speculative and unconfirmed by reputable outlets.

    Thanks for listening, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an update on Margaret Atwood. And if you want more fast paced lives in miniature, search the term Biography Flash for more great biographies.

    And that is it for today. Make sure you hit the subscribe button and never miss an update on Margaret Atwood. Thanks for listening. This has been a Quiet Please production."



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    4 min
  • Biography Flash: Margaret Atwood's Memoir Tour and Fight Against Book Bans at 86
    Dec 3 2025
    Margaret Atwood Biography Flash a weekly Biography.

    Margaret Atwood at eighty-six continues to dominate the literary landscape with remarkable energy and strategic visibility. Her long-awaited memoir, "Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts," launched on November fourth, and the Canadian author is in the midst of an ambitious international book tour that will see her traveling to New York, Chicago, London, Manchester, Bristol, Paris, Berlin, and multiple Canadian cities through December.

    On the home front, Atwood has scheduled several high-profile Canadian appearances that carry particular significance. She's making a special stop in Edmonton on December thirteenth at the Edmonton Convention Centre, where she'll be working directly with the Edmonton Public Library to lend support to librarians fighting book bans. This move carries real symbolic weight given that her most famous work, "The Handmaid's Tale," has become one of America's most banned books, with Alberta's recent school library book ban specifically targeting her novel. In September, Atwood responded to Alberta's censorship efforts with a satirical short story, demonstrating her continued willingness to engage politically around free expression issues.

    Additional Canadian tour dates include Vancouver on December ninth at the Orpheum Theatre, featuring what organizers promise will be a special musical element, and Toronto on December seventeenth at the Jane Mallett Theatre, where tickets start at eighty-five dollars. Calgary will host her on December tenth at the Werklund Centre as the final stop on her three-city Canadian tour.

    Intriguingly, Atwood filmed a cameo appearance for the upcoming first season of "The Testaments," the television adaptation of her sequel to "The Handmaid's Tale," expected in spring twenty twenty-six. She's keeping her role secret but expressed pleasure working with the production team and actress Ann Dowd, who plays Aunt Lydia.

    The memoir itself is generating significant cultural conversation. According to literary analysis, "Book of Lives" weaves together her multiple identities—child, playwright, mother, novelist, poet—with characteristic wit and caustic observation. The book features scores settled with childhood bullies and literary rivals, alongside intimate stories of her inspiring father who built houses and taught his children to fish, and her remarkable mother who once chased off a bear with a broom.

    CBS News is featuring Atwood on "60 Minutes" this Sunday in a segment titled "The Indomitable Margaret Atwood," where she discusses her reputation as the prophet of doom for her uncanny ability to write about catastrophes before they occur in real life.

    Thank you for listening to Biography Flash. Subscribe now to never miss an update on Margaret Atwood and search Biography Flash for more great biographies.

    And that is it for today. Make sure you hit the subscribe button and never miss an update on Margaret Atwood. Thanks for listening. This has been a Quiet Please production."



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    3 min
  • Biography Flash: Margaret Atwood at 85 Unveils Book of Lives Memoir and Worldwide Tour
    Nov 30 2025
    Margaret Atwood Biography Flash a weekly Biography.

    Margaret Atwood, the legendary Canadian author now eighty-five years old, continues to command the literary world's attention with her highly anticipated memoir "Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts." Released on November fourth, the memoir has already generated significant buzz, with around two hundred fifty fans gathering at Waterstones Piccadilly to celebrate what's been described as a funny and irreverent look back at her extraordinary life. In this memoir, Atwood links seminal moments in her personal history to the books that have shaped our literary landscape, from the cruel year that inspired "Cat's Eye" to divided nineteen-eighties Berlin where she began writing "The Handmaid's Tale."

    Her book tour has been in full swing throughout November. On November sixth, Atwood participated in an intimate interview and Q and A session at St. Ann and the Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn, presented by Books Are Magic, where she was joined by fellow author Emma Straub. All books were presigned for fans. Then on November twenty-fifth, she made a notable appearance at the Hamilton Convention Centre in Ontario, where she participated in a fundraiser event alongside Ralph Benmergui, sharing insights from her memoir with Canadian supporters.

    The promotional momentum continues with her upcoming appearance at Bristol Beacon in the United Kingdom, where she'll share more insights from "Book of Lives" in what's being billed as a rare and intimate evening. Her presence on social media has remained active as well, with recent posts on Instagram showing her engaged with supporters and celebrating the memoir's launch.

    At eighty-five, Atwood is reflecting not on future dystopias, as her fiction so often does, but on her own life's journey. Recent media coverage, including a prominent feature on CBS News's "Sixty Minutes," has highlighted how this prolific author, known for exploring themes of totalitarianism, environmental collapse, and global pandemic in her fiction, is now examining her own formative experiences and the creative forces that shaped her legendary career.

    The literary world continues to celebrate Atwood's contributions while she actively engages with readers worldwide through her memoir tour. Thank you for listening to this Biography Flash episode on Margaret Atwood. Please subscribe to never miss an update on this iconic author, and search the term Biography Flash for more great biographies.

    And that is it for today. Make sure you hit the subscribe button and never miss an update on Margaret Atwood. Thanks for listening. This has been a Quiet Please production."



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    3 min
  • Biography Flash: Margaret Atwood Releases Explosive Memoir Book of Lives at 85 with Dark Revelations
    Nov 26 2025
    Margaret Atwood Biography Flash a weekly Biography.

    Margaret Atwood is commanding headlines this week with the release of her long-awaited memoir Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts, which landed just days ago and is already being dissected by reviewers, critics, and devotees. The Week describes it as a vessel of wrath, nearly 600 pages rich with revelations and personal history, chronicling Atwood’s upbringing, legendary relationship with Graeme Gibson, her fascination with the natural world, and yes, her own dark side. Central, of course, is the seismic impact of The Handmaid’s Tale—a story whose dystopian vision cemented Atwood’s legacy as a literary force confronting gender, patriarchy, and power.

    CBS News recently featured Atwood in a special 60 Minutes interview where, at age 85, she looked back on a storied career that has seen her predictions about totalitarianism, environmental collapse, and pandemic come frighteningly close to reality—making her memoir even more urgent and relevant. She reflected on how life’s twists and the persistence of inequality continually fuel her creative drive. According to CBC News, Atwood candidly admitted that some stories lived in shadow until she felt safe enough to publish them—especially those involving people who have passed and secrets held too long.

    Public fascination with Atwood continues to flourish. Earlier in November, she made a high-profile appearance in New York at a Book of Lives event hosted by Emma Straub at St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church, drawing a full house for a lively Q&A and book signing. She also packed venues in the UK, as her Bristol Beacon appearance spun together humor and wisdom for an attentive audience, all of whom received a copy of her memoir with top-tier tickets. Atwood’s events consistently sell out, demonstrating the enduring magnetism of both her ideas and her persona.

    Notably, Atwood was awarded the Eleanor Roosevelt Banned Book Awards’ Lifetime Achievement honor this month, with PEN America and The Bardavon hosting her for an in-depth conversation about censorship, resilience, and the arts. Atwood spoke passionately about fighting back against attempts to silence writers and the enduring relevance of her work, especially as debates about banned books and women's rights only gain energy.

    On social media, vibrant discussion swirls around Book of Lives, with readers sharing favorite quotes, photos from book events, and reflections on Atwood's candor. While many speculate about what may come next from Atwood—another collection, perhaps, or even a new novel—she slyly demurred in interviews, saying she wouldn't reveal future plans. There are no confirmed reports of new business ventures or announcements beyond her memoir tour and media blitz, though unconfirmed social chatter hints at a possible digital project in early development, which is strictly speculation for now.

    Thank you for listening to this episode of Margaret Atwood Biography Flash. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an update on Margaret Atwood and search the term Biography Flash for more great Biographies.

    And that is it for today. Make sure you hit the subscribe button and never miss an update on Margaret Atwood. Thanks for listening. This has been a Quiet Please production."



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    4 min
  • Biography Flash: Margaret Atwood's Book of Lives Memoir Sparks Global Tour and Censorship Debates
    Nov 23 2025
    Margaret Atwood Biography Flash a weekly Biography.

    In the past few days Margaret Atwood has been at the center of considerable literary activity and public attention thanks to her new memoir Book of Lives and a continued string of high-profile appearances. Book of Lives published globally on November 4th and has already drawn fascination for its blend of candor and wit Atwood herself told Penguin Random House I sweated blood over this book there was too much life to stuff in and if I had died at 25 like John Keats it could have been shorter but I also laughed a lot. Over the past month she has embarked on an extensive international book tour including stops in New York with Emma Straub London Manchester Bristol Paris Berlin and multiple Canadian cities. This itinerary is publicly announced on her website margaretatwood.ca.

    One of the climatic moments of this tour is set for November 25th in Hamilton Ontario at the Hamilton Convention Centre where Atwood will headline An Evening With Margaret Atwood, a benefit event in support of Interval House Hamilton. This event is timed to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and will feature a conversation between Atwood and broadcaster Ralph Benmergui. The discussion will connect themes from The Handmaid’s Tale and The Testaments to women’s rights politics and contemporary culture while supporting valuable local social programs according to the Hamilton Convention Centre and Interval House’s public announcements.

    Book of Lives itself has quickly become a talking point in global media. CBS News featured an in-depth 60 Minutes interview with Atwood aired November 10 where she reflected on her decades-long career current book bans affecting works like The Handmaid’s Tale and The Blind Assassin and the continued resonance of her fiction in a world where reproductive rights and democracy are under threat. She commented on her reputation as a so-called Cassandra for her prophetic dystopias but deflected the label with her characteristic humor. The interview also highlighted her response to censorship in her own Canada as reported by CBS.

    On social media Book of Lives is being celebrated with the #MARM2025 hashtag for Margaret Atwood Reading Month with readers posting updates on her memoir and signature novels like The Blind Assassin alongside personal anecdotes and lively fandom engagement as observed on literary blogs such as Buried in Print. Atwood’s memoir and public comments are now sparking renewed debate about the politics of memory and what gets left unsaid especially as she revisits stories from her early publishing days.

    Looking ahead Atwood is scheduled next for a solidarity event with librarians in Edmonton in mid-December specifically aiming to address issues of censorship and book bans in Canada a topic she has become increasingly vocal about.

    There are no credible recent reports of new business ventures or product launches from Atwood. Her focus remains on her literary legacy public advocacy and touring for Book of Lives. Online Margaret Atwood continues to post observations and tour updates emphasizing support for literacy and democratic freedoms.

    Thank you for listening and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an update on Margaret Atwood. To discover more great biographies just search the term Biography Flash.

    And that is it for today. Make sure you hit the subscribe button and never miss an update on Margaret Atwood. Thanks for listening. This has been a Quiet Please production."



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    4 min
  • Biography Flash: Margaret Atwood Memoir Book of Lives Dominates Headlines with Sold-Out Tour and Critical Acclaim
    Nov 19 2025
    Margaret Atwood Biography Flash a weekly Biography.

    Margaret Atwood has been commanding headlines lately as her highly anticipated memoir Book of Lives is officially out and already drawing critical acclaim and considerable media attention. According to The Week and The New York Times, this near 600-page memoir is not a typical literary autobiography but rather a vessel of wrath and memory, detailing Atwood’s upbringing, her relationship with longtime partner Graeme Gibson, her profound connection with the natural world, and the creative dark side that shaped classics like The Handmaid’s Tale. The reviews emphasize how Book of Lives consolidates Atwood’s legacy—her “deep-seated interests in gender, patriarchy, and power”—and offers new insights into the lasting impact of The Handmaid’s Tale, both as a novel and Emmy-winning TV series.

    Just days ago, Atwood sat for an in-depth 60 Minutes interview broadcast on CBS News, reflecting candidly on her long career, feminism, and the dystopian visions that have kept her work hyper-relevant in today’s fraught political climate. CBS noted that even at 85, Atwood is looking back, not forward, with her memoir—she spoke with characteristic wit about her nomadic childhood, her creative process, and her ongoing activism, particularly as authoritarianism and women’s rights remain flashpoints across the globe.

    On the public appearance front, Atwood’s recent speaking engagements have been selling out instantly. Earlier this month her event with the Chicago Humanities Festival was packed, and her upcoming talk at the Grunin Center for the Arts had a member presale just last week, with remaining tickets set to go on sale to the general public later today. There’s also a major sold-out event tonight at the Bristol Beacon, where top-tier tickets include a hard copy of Book of Lives and promise an evening of wit and humor. Her tour schedule shows no sign of slowing down—with another prominent speaking engagement in Hamilton, Ontario on November 25.

    Business activity is at a peak with Book of Lives frequently bundled with event tickets and its publisher Doubleday mounting a significant promotional push. Fans can still find copies at independent bookstores and all major online outlets, and Atwood’s ongoing works such as Old Babes in the Wood and Dearly remain strong sellers, reinforcing her position in both fiction and poetry.

    On social media, Atwood remains as influential as ever. While no viral tweets have surfaced in the last 24 hours, her Twitter account routinely shares literary news and environmental advocacy with over two million followers. Several outlets including NPR and The Guardian have continued discussions of her most recent books, underscoring her impact and the anticipation of any new releases or commentary.

    No unconfirmed rumors or speculative reports have surfaced in credible media within the past day; all news is verifiable and overwhelmingly focused on her literary output, cultural commentary, and the powerful themes that have defined her career.

    Thanks for listening to this special flash biography update on Margaret Atwood. Be sure to subscribe to Biography Flash so you never miss an update on Margaret Atwood and search the term Biography Flash for more great biographies.

    And that is it for today. Make sure you hit the subscribe button and never miss an update on Margaret Atwood. Thanks for listening. This has been a Quiet Please production."



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    4 min
  • Biography Flash: Margaret Atwood Unleashes 600-Page Memoir While Conquering UK Stages at 85
    Nov 16 2025
    Margaret Atwood Biography Flash a weekly Biography.

    Margaret Atwood has electrified the literary world this week with the release of her highly anticipated memoir, Book of Lives A Memoir of Sorts, which officially hit shelves on November 4th. Atwood herself describes it as nearly 600 pages of “stuffed life” featuring stories from her unconventional Northern Quebec childhood, a look at her partnership with the late Graeme Gibson, and candid reflections on her own dark side. The New York Times called it a “vessel of wrath,” delighting critics who feel her rage is not only justified but utterly captivating. Atwood’s memoir covers the seismic impact of The Handmaid’s Tale and how she consolidated her power as a writer by drawing lines under recurring themes like gender, patriarchy, and power. According to The Week, this new work is a significant addition to her legacy, offering long-term biographical resonance as it documents the life events and convictions that have defined both Atwood and her body of work.

    Atwood has been far from idle on the publicity front. On November 10th, she appeared on 60 Minutes, discussing her memoir and reflecting on her own life rather than concocting dystopian futures. At 85, she told CBS News that she “sweated blood over this book” but also laughed a lot during its creation. She shared her creative process, showed the cover she designed for her first poetry book, and touched on how her literary imagination connects with actual events in history. The interview merged Atwood’s signature wisdom and wit with personal anecdotes, resonating with viewers and trending among literary circles.

    Adding to her public presence, Atwood is currently on a multi-city speaking tour in the UK. On November 13th, she took the stage in Bristol alongside BBC’s Samira Ahmed to share insights from her memoir. The evening tracked her life journey — from childhood in the wilderness to interactions with bohemians, actors, and cultural revolutionaries. Audiences got to hear Atwood’s views on feminism, freedom, and technology, and she fielded questions from fans, making headlines for her persistent commentary about women’s reproductive rights in today’s fraught political climate. Tickets for these sold-out events have been a hot commodity, with venues struggling to keep up with demand.

    On social media, Atwood remains a force. Her Twitter/X feed over the past few days has been peppered with updates about the memoir, alerts for speaking dates, and wry takes on world affairs. She regularly engages her nearly two million followers with humor, literary insight, and advocacy for justice. No major controversies, but reviews and memes from fans celebrating her Bristol appearance have circulated widely.

    For business activities, Atwood’s partnership with Doubleday and Penguin Random House anchors the memoir’s release, and retail sites like Amazon and Fane have spotlighted Book of Lives at the top of their book lists. Demand is high, with secondary ticket sales and book bundle offers gaining traction.

    Among the headlines in the past 24 hours, the front pages have featured Atwood’s Bristol appearance and her bold memoir as “essential reading for anyone seeking insight into the roots of resistance and resilience.”

    I encourage you to grab a copy of Book of Lives and, as always, thank you for listening. Subscribe to never miss an update on Margaret Atwood, and remember to search the term Biography Flash for more great Biographies.

    And that is it for today. Make sure you hit the subscribe button and never miss an update on Margaret Atwood. Thanks for listening. This has been a Quiet Please production."



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    4 min