Internationally acclaimed and a Canadian icon, author Margaret Atwood came of age as a writer during the 70s penning award-winning novels that inspired the imagination and a deeper understanding of gender inequities. Her books portray the strength and complexities of women as they struggle for equality in an unequal world; stories that have been inspired by the lives of ordinary, courageous women.
Atwood was born in Ottawa in 1939, and grew up in northern Quebec and Ontario, and later in Toronto. Her father was a naturalist, which perhaps has fueled her commitment to protecting the environment, fostering sustainable living and saving endangered birds.
Her first novel, The Edible Woman, was published in 1969 and was instantly embraced by feminists cementing her importance in the Canadian literary scene.
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| Photography by George Whiteside. |
Still strong-willed, compassionate and funny as hell, she is now the author of more than forty books, including poetry, children’s literature and social history. Gifted as a luminous story-teller, Atwood remains tirelessly passionate about pushing people toward a more tolerant, fair society. Although now over seventy, she shows no sign of slowing down her work pace or toning down her political statements.
Atwood’s career and views are so closely monitored that she can barely sign a petition without causing a kerfuffle. Her tweets have been known to cause a “Twitterscuffle” at times given her outspoken, cheeky nature, which she handles with her typical dry sense of humour and never back down attitude.
Atwood’s latest book, The Year of the Flood, which is a retelling or “simultaneual” of her previous novel, Oryx and Crake, brilliantly describes a depressing post apocalyptic world. Like other geniuses, does Atwood carry a dark “fatefulness about the survival of the species,” as suggested in a New York Times review?
During an appearance last year for Toronto Public Library in their literary hotspot, the Bram and Bluma Appel Salon, Atwood admitted to interviewer Ian Brown from the Globe and Mail that her writing was often “nervy.” Speaking to a packed and appreciative audience, Brown asked her “if she worried about the future of the human race?”
Although she admitted to worrying about the future just like anyone else, “the great power of narrative and fiction lies in showing people that change is possible,” Atwood said.
In the foreword to Inspiring Women: A Celebration of Canadian Herstory, the author poignantly speaks of the change to women’s lives over the past century.
“How far the more recent and more vocal generations of women have travelled on the credit earned by the silent and often desperate lives of others; lives lived still by so many women; worldwide but also here.”
Atwood was proud to write the foreward for Herstory because, like so much of her work, it is “a lovingly prepared celebration of women’s lives.”
Currently living in Toronto with her partner, writer Graeme Gibson, Atwood is constantly supporting other authors especially in her blog and on Twitter where she has over 140,000 faithful followers.
Named a Companion of the Order of Canada with a long list of honourary degrees, Atwood’s even longer list of awards include the Toronto Arts Award, Ms. Magazine Woman of the Year, YWCA Woman of Distinction and Crystal Award, World Economic Forum, Davos-Klosters Switzerland. She was the first novelist and poet inducted to Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Published around the world, her work has been translated into many languages. Three of her books, Surfacing, The Handmaid’s Tale and The Robber Bride, were adapted for film.
With no sign of retirement in sight, Atwood is currently “immersed” in completing two books, one of which is the much-anticipated final draft of In Other Worlds: Science Fiction and the Human Imagination, which adds another “meanwhile” dimension to the futuristic tale of the previous two books. Atwood is also busy on a promotional tour for her book as it is due out in the Fall 2011.
Her fans, which include The Margaret Atwood Society, an international association of scholars, teachers and students who share an interest in Atwood’s work, can’t wait for the inspiration to continue.
Published by McClelland & Stewart, Margaret Atwood’s novels include:
· The Handmaid’s Tale (1985) and Cat’s Eye (1988)—both shortlisted for the Booker Prize
· The Robber Bride, winner of the Trillium Book Award and a finalist for the Governor General’s Award (1993)
· Alias Grace, winner of the Giller Prize in Canada and Premio Mondello in Italy, and finalist for the Governor General’s Award, Booker Prize, Orange Prize, and International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award (1996)
· The Blind Assassin, winner of the Booker Prize and a finalist for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award (2000)
· Oryx and Crake, a finalist for The Giller Prize, Governor General’s Award, Orange Prize, and Man Booker Prize (2003)
· And most recently, The Year of the Flood (2009)
1 comment:
Bring on the Atwood twitterscuffles!
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