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[Inlander]

. . . by Margaret Atwood. Just finished reading it. Anyone else read it? (Or, at a stretch, seen the movie?)

Seems like a book worthy of discussion.

[Valrus]

I've read it. But it was a while ago, so if I were to make an attempt at discussing it, I'd need something to go on in terms of reminding me what went on in it.

I recall being disappointed by the ending, although the book itself was good.

[Inlander]

Which aspect of the ending, the ending of the novel itself or the "historical notes" appendix?

I thought the ending of the novel itself was fine, it's certainly not the only novel or story to end on such an ambiguous note. But the appendix fudged the issue a bit - while it was amusing to read, it seemed to be almost as if Atwood was saying "But really it's okay, I got a bit dark in this novel but it all ends happily eventually." Which weakened the impact of the novel for me, somewhat.

[hoax]

I have read the book MANY times and seen the movie!  Margaret Atwood is one of my favorite writers.

I do see what you guys are saying about the ending.  But here's my question:  If you think it's unsuitable, how would you have ended the book?

[Inlander]

I think the novel is great and ends perfectly, and in a perfectly suitable manner. I think that the appendix, though amusing, is unnecessary and possibly a little detrimental to the novel that's gone before it. I'm not really sure why Atwood put it in there, other than for a bit of a laugh. I really see the novel and the appendix as two seperate entities.

[Johnny C]

i'm going to go on record as saying that i don't like margaret atwood the novelist. she gets the recognition that a number of more interesting and far superior canadian writers deserve. she is, on the other hand, a splendid poet and a great literary analyst.

[Luke C]

My brother read a load of Atwood books since he was studying The Handmaids Tale and loved them all except the Handmaids Tale (unlucky I suppose, or perhaps an inevitable consequence of studying a book?) which sort of put me off since we have a pretty similar taste in books, films, music etc. Oryx and Crake by Atwood is currently on my 'to read' list but Ive got a stack of books I HAVE to read for my studies first so its a fair way down the list. If I enjoy that I will probably read Handmaids Tale at some point.

[Jillybean]

I have a huge seething hatred for this novel.  And most of Atwood's stuff, come to think of it.  But particularly this novel.  Been a while since I've read it, but I'll always remember how much I loathed the main character, she was so objectionable at times.

And yes, it may be a realistic study of what somebody would do under the circumstances, but I just found it quite depressing.

[Mikendher]

This is one of my top 5 books of all time. It's perfectly conveys the idea of essentially living in the corner of a bedroom. Such an amazing dystopia, although I really abhor the appendix. It should have ended when the novel ends.

[Coonstar]

I liked the appendix, the light-heartedness and the distant treatment of the main story gave it a cruel twist.

[hoax]

Oryx and Crake is a good read as well, but my favorite Atwood novel is The Blind Assasin.

Edited for sticky keyboards and not reading the post before clicking "submit"

[dennis]

The movie was strange for me because it was shot in places that I frequented.

Also, it's "Crake".