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On Writers and Writing cover art

On Writers and Writing

Written by: Margaret Atwood
Narrated by: Margaret Atwood
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Publisher's Summary

What is the role of the writer? Prophet? High priest of art? Court jester? Or witness to the real world?

Looking back on her own childhood and writing career, Margaret Atwood examines the metaphors which writers of fiction and poetry have used to explain - or excuse! - their activities, looking at what costumes they have assumed, what roles they have chosen to play. In her final chapter she takes up the challenge of the title: if a writer is to be seen as "gifted", who is doing the giving and what are the terms of the gift? Atwood's wide reference to other writers, living and dead, is balanced by anecdotes from her own experiences, both in Canada and elsewhere. The lightness of her touch is offset by a seriousness about the purpose and the pleasures of writing, and by a deep familiarity with the myths and traditions of western literature.

Margaret Atwood was born in 1939 in Ottawa and grew up in northern Quebec, Ontario, and Toronto. She received her undergraduate degree from Victoria College at the University of Toronto and her master's degree from Radcliffe College. Throughout her 30 years of writing, Atwood has received numerous awards and honorary degrees. Hew novel The Blind Assassin won the 2000 Booker Prize for Fiction. She is the author of more than 25 volumes of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction and is perhaps best known for her novels, which include Alias Grace (1996), The Robber Bride (1994), Cat's Eye (1988), The Handmaid's Tale (1983), Surfacing (1972) and The Edible Woman (1970). Acclaimed for her talent for portraying both personal lives and worldly problems of universal concern, Atwood's work has been published in more than 35 languages, including Japanese, Turkish, Finnish, Korean, Icelandic, and Estonian.

©2002 O.W. Toad Ltd 2002 (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

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More on Writers than on Writing

There are some books I've really loved of Margaret Atwood's and some not so much. I found the listing of things a little tedious and while there are some writing gems in it, I was overall rather uninspired. Atwood is articulate and meaningful in her delivery, but even the fun and light moments seem ominous with the delivery. I was hoping for a bit more with this.

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Very inspiring

Loved all of the writing advice and perspectives of other writers provided to accompany her narrative.

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I thought I would give this a chance.

I was never a big fan of Atwood. I found her more pretentious than insightful, but I thought I would give this a chance. Imagine my surprise in reading this, discovering that it was more pretentious than insightful. Shocking.

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like a Masterclass.

well done, but you should know your classics and mythology - she quotes a lot of it. also, Ms. Atwood's voice can be a bit "dronish". just would have preferred a livelier reader.

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Margaret Atwood Kills It Again in NWTD

I mean it in the best way, of course. What times are these that we may listen to Margaret Atwood's on voice giving us a writer-reader tour of her thoughts and knowledge about writing. As in the subjects of the final chapter, she, a competent guide, takes us on a visit to hell, then gets us out. I would spend more tickets to go on the ride once again. What's hell without a rickety abandoned roller coaster you are compelled to sit down in and hold on tight? Especially with Atwood throwing the switch and jumping in beside you. p.s. Her hair is real.

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