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The Evil Mother
Life is hard enough for a teenage girl in 1950s suburbia without having a mother who may—or may not—be a witch. A single mother at that. Sure, she fits in with her starched dresses, string of pearls, and floral aprons. Then there are the hushed and mystical consultations with neighborhood women in distress. The unsavory, mysterious plants in the flower beds. The divined warning to steer clear of a boyfriend whose fate is certainly doomed. But as the daughter of this bewitching homemaker comes of age and her mother’s claims become more and more outlandish, she begins to question everything she once took for granted.
Unknown Binding
First published April 1, 2022
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About the author
Margaret Atwood
667 books89.6k followersMargaret Atwood was born in 1939 in Ottawa and grew up in northern Ontario, Quebec, 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 writing career, Margaret Atwood has received numerous awards and honourary degrees. She is the author of more than thirty-five volumes of poetry, children’s literature, fiction, and non-fiction and is perhaps best known for her novels, which include The Edible Woman (1970), The Handmaid's Tale (1983), The Robber Bride (1994), Alias Grace (1996), and The Blind Assassin, which won the prestigious Booker Prize in 2000. Atwood's dystopic novel, Oryx and Crake, was published in 2003. The Tent (mini-fictions) and Moral Disorder (short stories) both appeared in 2006. Her most recent volume of poetry, The Door, was published in 2007. Her non-fiction book, Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth in the Massey series, appeared in 2008, and her most recent novel, The Year of the Flood, in the autumn of 2009. Ms. Atwood's work has been published in more than forty languages, including Farsi, Japanese, Turkish, Finnish, Korean, Icelandic and Estonian. In 2004 she co-invented the Long Pen TM.
Margaret Atwood currently lives in Toronto with writer Graeme Gibson.
Associations: Margaret Atwood was President of the Writers' Union of Canada from May 1981 to May 1982, and was President of International P.E.N., Canadian Centre (English Speaking) from 1984-1986. She and Graeme Gibson are the Joint Honourary Presidents of the Rare Bird Society within BirdLife International. Ms. Atwood is also a current Vice-President of PEN International.
Throughout her writing career, Margaret Atwood has received numerous awards and honourary degrees. She is the author of more than thirty-five volumes of poetry, children’s literature, fiction, and non-fiction and is perhaps best known for her novels, which include The Edible Woman (1970), The Handmaid's Tale (1983), The Robber Bride (1994), Alias Grace (1996), and The Blind Assassin, which won the prestigious Booker Prize in 2000. Atwood's dystopic novel, Oryx and Crake, was published in 2003. The Tent (mini-fictions) and Moral Disorder (short stories) both appeared in 2006. Her most recent volume of poetry, The Door, was published in 2007. Her non-fiction book, Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth in the Massey series, appeared in 2008, and her most recent novel, The Year of the Flood, in the autumn of 2009. Ms. Atwood's work has been published in more than forty languages, including Farsi, Japanese, Turkish, Finnish, Korean, Icelandic and Estonian. In 2004 she co-invented the Long Pen TM.
Margaret Atwood currently lives in Toronto with writer Graeme Gibson.
Associations: Margaret Atwood was President of the Writers' Union of Canada from May 1981 to May 1982, and was President of International P.E.N., Canadian Centre (English Speaking) from 1984-1986. She and Graeme Gibson are the Joint Honourary Presidents of the Rare Bird Society within BirdLife International. Ms. Atwood is also a current Vice-President of PEN International.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 6,068 reviews
February 13, 2024
Margaret Atwood (author of The Handmaid’s Tale)? Check. Free with Amazon Prime Membership? Check. Only one hour? Check.
Set in the mid-1950’s, a teenage girl is told that her mother is a witch, and her father is a garden gnome in her lawn. What will this teenage girl learn about her mother and father?
I’m sure people in the 1950’s weren’t judgmental at all, right? Totally accepting. Now if I could just get my family to believe that I am a mystical creature……
2024 Reading Schedule
Jan Middlemarch
Feb The Grapes of Wrath
Mar Oliver Twist
Apr Madame Bovary
May A Clockwork Orange
Jun Possession
Jul The Folk of the Faraway Tree Collection
Aug Crime and Punishment
Sep Heart of Darkness
Oct Moby-Dick
Nov Far From the Madding Crowd
Dec A Tale of Two Cities
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Set in the mid-1950’s, a teenage girl is told that her mother is a witch, and her father is a garden gnome in her lawn. What will this teenage girl learn about her mother and father?
I’m sure people in the 1950’s weren’t judgmental at all, right? Totally accepting. Now if I could just get my family to believe that I am a mystical creature……
2024 Reading Schedule
Jan Middlemarch
Feb The Grapes of Wrath
Mar Oliver Twist
Apr Madame Bovary
May A Clockwork Orange
Jun Possession
Jul The Folk of the Faraway Tree Collection
Aug Crime and Punishment
Sep Heart of Darkness
Oct Moby-Dick
Nov Far From the Madding Crowd
Dec A Tale of Two Cities
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Facebook Insta
April 2, 2022
“Some people collect stamps, she collected penises."
What is this witchcraft? Hahah! I loved it!! 🧹✨
I stumbled across this one by chance. Too MANY Amazon emails and I usually don't read them. I wonder what else I may have missed?
My Evil Mother is a short story and my first book by Margaret Atwood. I saw "free" and immediately clicked on it without looking. The story is set in Toronto, told by the protagonist in the current time and her childhood life, then fifteen growing up with her mother. I wish I can give you some examples of why this was clever and very enjoyable but don't want to risk spoiling it. I didn't think I'd enjoy it this much but this little book put a big smile on my face!💖
If you like Hillary Huber as I do, get the audiobook too!
32 pages/57mins included with Kindle Unlimited & Prime
April 10, 2022
My Evil Mother by Margaret Atwood, Hillary Huber (Narrator)
Okay, I'm a believer. This is my first story by Margaret Atwood and I've found a witch I like. In the mid 1950s a teenager's mother is a mix of crazy perfection. She's prim and proper to a point but she also is mixing and making things and has spells, not fainting spells, but pointing finger spells. Her daughter is embarrassed by her witchy mother. But she will eventually have a change of heart. Maybe history does repeat itself.
Published April 1st 2022 by Amazon Original Stories
This was a Kindle Unlimited selection.
Okay, I'm a believer. This is my first story by Margaret Atwood and I've found a witch I like. In the mid 1950s a teenager's mother is a mix of crazy perfection. She's prim and proper to a point but she also is mixing and making things and has spells, not fainting spells, but pointing finger spells. Her daughter is embarrassed by her witchy mother. But she will eventually have a change of heart. Maybe history does repeat itself.
Published April 1st 2022 by Amazon Original Stories
This was a Kindle Unlimited selection.
April 9, 2022
"My Evil Mother" by Margaret Atwood is a clever Short Story that packs a punch!
I often thought my mother to be a bit of a 'witch' when I was fifteen years old. Casting her spells over me to be a good girl and seeing into the future to know what's best for me. I believed in her power. She was not to be reckoned with, I assure you!
Before I knew it, I see my daughter standing before me and the tables are turned inside out and upside down...
A clever and ageless story of misconceptions and the unwavering power of love between a mother and daughter. Our mother's hover and protect, and their daughter's push back and revolt!
The audiobook is brimming with 57 minutes of fun that will stir memories and put a smile on your face. Narrated by Hillary Huber who adds to the experience with her fun voice inflections and expert voicing!
Is this a fable, a parable, or an allegory? Perhaps, but I believe the best way to describe this is as a reflection of how history simply and most assuredly repeats itself with the power of love! And, as a mother and a daughter, I highly recommend!
Five beautiful 'Mother & Daughter' stars!
I often thought my mother to be a bit of a 'witch' when I was fifteen years old. Casting her spells over me to be a good girl and seeing into the future to know what's best for me. I believed in her power. She was not to be reckoned with, I assure you!
Before I knew it, I see my daughter standing before me and the tables are turned inside out and upside down...
A clever and ageless story of misconceptions and the unwavering power of love between a mother and daughter. Our mother's hover and protect, and their daughter's push back and revolt!
The audiobook is brimming with 57 minutes of fun that will stir memories and put a smile on your face. Narrated by Hillary Huber who adds to the experience with her fun voice inflections and expert voicing!
Is this a fable, a parable, or an allegory? Perhaps, but I believe the best way to describe this is as a reflection of how history simply and most assuredly repeats itself with the power of love! And, as a mother and a daughter, I highly recommend!
Five beautiful 'Mother & Daughter' stars!
May 24, 2022
For such a small book this packs a punch, for its thought-provoking narrative, themed driven storyline, and a character study that reflects a lot of real issues in society, as the ‘group norms’ and intolerance of what was outside ‘the norm’ was reflected in the treatment of individuals and groups. After all this is the 1950’s, the booming years, when conformity was common, as young, and old alike followed group norms rather than striking out on their own.
First of all we have a mother regarded as a witch by her local community. A term lightly awarded to people who are unexplainedly different, but a view also held by her own daughter. A mother who used so called “evil powers for good” and unlike other family relationships, it was the mother who worked in the absence of a father or husband. All that existed of him was a garden gnome as the focus for her daughterly affections.
Then there is the transition into young adult and beyond, when the unnamed daughter wanted more answers and was ready to accept that her father lived but with a different family, and her mother was not a witch, and the rules and sacrifices she made were all part of life’s rich tapestry. The ending was perfect in how it described this coming of age…
“You were such a sensitive child. So easily wounded. So I told you those things. I didn’t want you to feel defenceless in the face of life. Life can be harsh. I wanted you to feel protected, and to know that there was a greater power watching over you. That the Universe was taking a personal interest.” I kissed her forehead, a skull with a very thin covering of skin. The protector was her, the greater power was her, the Universe that took an interest was her as well; always her. “I love you,” I said.
A beautiful book of growing up and realising that your parents were right all along – well most of the time !!!. A book that reminds us that history will repeat itself as the child becomes the parent and all the same learnings, teachings and threats of witchcraft are used, by some, to protect and teach. A very important sentiment is that parents are not born parents, they too go through a learning process, no crash course in parenthood, no try before you buy!!!, its for real. When you have a child, you become the parent that never had any special training, but the overwhelming feeling is to love and protect. Just as we saw in this little narrative that leaves you feeling warm and cuddly and thankful for fabulous parents.
A beautiful little gem of a book where the title seems to indicate a different kind of story is contained within the pages. Simple, affecting, absorbing and delightful.
First of all we have a mother regarded as a witch by her local community. A term lightly awarded to people who are unexplainedly different, but a view also held by her own daughter. A mother who used so called “evil powers for good” and unlike other family relationships, it was the mother who worked in the absence of a father or husband. All that existed of him was a garden gnome as the focus for her daughterly affections.
Then there is the transition into young adult and beyond, when the unnamed daughter wanted more answers and was ready to accept that her father lived but with a different family, and her mother was not a witch, and the rules and sacrifices she made were all part of life’s rich tapestry. The ending was perfect in how it described this coming of age…
“You were such a sensitive child. So easily wounded. So I told you those things. I didn’t want you to feel defenceless in the face of life. Life can be harsh. I wanted you to feel protected, and to know that there was a greater power watching over you. That the Universe was taking a personal interest.” I kissed her forehead, a skull with a very thin covering of skin. The protector was her, the greater power was her, the Universe that took an interest was her as well; always her. “I love you,” I said.
A beautiful book of growing up and realising that your parents were right all along – well most of the time !!!. A book that reminds us that history will repeat itself as the child becomes the parent and all the same learnings, teachings and threats of witchcraft are used, by some, to protect and teach. A very important sentiment is that parents are not born parents, they too go through a learning process, no crash course in parenthood, no try before you buy!!!, its for real. When you have a child, you become the parent that never had any special training, but the overwhelming feeling is to love and protect. Just as we saw in this little narrative that leaves you feeling warm and cuddly and thankful for fabulous parents.
A beautiful little gem of a book where the title seems to indicate a different kind of story is contained within the pages. Simple, affecting, absorbing and delightful.
April 8, 2022
A gem of a short story by the renowned Margaret Atwood! 🇨🇦 This is free to Amazon Prime or Kindle Unlimited members.
This story keeps you engaged from beginning to end. Told in Margaret Atwood's distinct and clever writing style. Although this took me just under an hour to read, it was hard to believe it was just a short story. It was not rushed at all.
I love how the story has left me still wondering about the truth of it all! 💫
This story keeps you engaged from beginning to end. Told in Margaret Atwood's distinct and clever writing style. Although this took me just under an hour to read, it was hard to believe it was just a short story. It was not rushed at all.
I love how the story has left me still wondering about the truth of it all! 💫
April 17, 2022
Best $1.39 spent this year!! What a fun story by Margaret Atwood. I’m not a fan of Atwood’s previous works, but this whimsical short story of a daughter’s utter (and very normal) contempt for her very interesting and a bit unusual mother is hysterical. Anyone who has parented a daughter will chuckle. As all parents know, we do and say things out of love and concern while our children see us as prison wardens. In this story, the momma has a some fun with her daughter in establishing boundaries.
Hillary Huber narrates the story and her voice range is outstanding. I highly recommend this story for as an enjoyable pick-me-up.
Hillary Huber narrates the story and her voice range is outstanding. I highly recommend this story for as an enjoyable pick-me-up.
April 5, 2022
“I still believed that my mother had some influence over the Universe. I’d been brought up to believe it, and it’s hard to shake such ingrained mental patterns.”
Our fifteen-year-old unnamed narrator is being raised by a single mother in Toronto. Growing up she has heard the whispers, seen her mother’s herb garden and the bottles of “goop” her mother doles out to the women who visit her house for "consultations". She has also been on the receiving end of some pretty strange advice from her mother- mostly unwarranted, often intrusive and some downright weird. Why does her mother behave the way she does? As the years progress our protagonist alternates between believing her mother is “evil”, practices witchcraft or is just troubled. As the narrative takes us through the different stages of our protagonist's life from the time she was fifteen and shared a complicated relationship with her mother that continues through her adult life to her relationship with her own fifteen-year-old daughter in which similar patterns seem to be emerging, we witness her feelings towards her mother evolving from resentment to compassion, understanding and acceptance. What a lovely tribute to mother-daughter relationships!
My Evil Mother by Margaret Atwood is a fun and engaging read. Hats off to the author for being able to pack so much humor, emotion and insight into a thirty–two–page short story that is such an easy and entertaining read.
Our fifteen-year-old unnamed narrator is being raised by a single mother in Toronto. Growing up she has heard the whispers, seen her mother’s herb garden and the bottles of “goop” her mother doles out to the women who visit her house for "consultations". She has also been on the receiving end of some pretty strange advice from her mother- mostly unwarranted, often intrusive and some downright weird. Why does her mother behave the way she does? As the years progress our protagonist alternates between believing her mother is “evil”, practices witchcraft or is just troubled. As the narrative takes us through the different stages of our protagonist's life from the time she was fifteen and shared a complicated relationship with her mother that continues through her adult life to her relationship with her own fifteen-year-old daughter in which similar patterns seem to be emerging, we witness her feelings towards her mother evolving from resentment to compassion, understanding and acceptance. What a lovely tribute to mother-daughter relationships!
My Evil Mother by Margaret Atwood is a fun and engaging read. Hats off to the author for being able to pack so much humor, emotion and insight into a thirty–two–page short story that is such an easy and entertaining read.
October 7, 2024
A surprisingly tender story on growing up and generations. Told with humor and a keen eye for how teenagers communicate
The opposite of mean is doormat.
This short story is much less about witchery then about motherhood. Margaret Atwood takes us to the post-war period where it is rare to have or be a single mother. The narrator perfectly captures the vocabulary and moods of a teenager. Her mother is hilarious and tries to keep her in check via stories, like that her father is actually a garden gnome, with whom the main character often confides. Also she forces her daughter to burn her clipped hair, which otherwise can be used in freak rituals. The typical Atwood wit is strong in My Evil Mother, whose titular character not just tells a disastrous tarot series of cards for the first boyfriend of the narrator, but who tops it of with the following sentence: Bryan must go, if not from this planet than from your life.
Slowly the narrator grows up and learns some truths. In very little pages Margaret Atwood manages to sketch the transformation from rebellious daughter to a mother herself in a convincing manner. In the end this changes the relationship with the mother, now grandmother, in a tender way, circling back to something she earlier said: Who says you need eyes to see?
The opposite of mean is doormat.
This short story is much less about witchery then about motherhood. Margaret Atwood takes us to the post-war period where it is rare to have or be a single mother. The narrator perfectly captures the vocabulary and moods of a teenager. Her mother is hilarious and tries to keep her in check via stories, like that her father is actually a garden gnome, with whom the main character often confides. Also she forces her daughter to burn her clipped hair, which otherwise can be used in freak rituals. The typical Atwood wit is strong in My Evil Mother, whose titular character not just tells a disastrous tarot series of cards for the first boyfriend of the narrator, but who tops it of with the following sentence: Bryan must go, if not from this planet than from your life.
Slowly the narrator grows up and learns some truths. In very little pages Margaret Atwood manages to sketch the transformation from rebellious daughter to a mother herself in a convincing manner. In the end this changes the relationship with the mother, now grandmother, in a tender way, circling back to something she earlier said: Who says you need eyes to see?
June 6, 2022
2.5 "abracadabra " stars !!!
-a touch touching
-smallishly charming
-plenty of cliches
-ridiculously histrionic ending
Do not mix and Poof you get this little story by the wonderfully inconsistent Atwood!
-a touch touching
-smallishly charming
-plenty of cliches
-ridiculously histrionic ending
Do not mix and Poof you get this little story by the wonderfully inconsistent Atwood!
April 10, 2022
A short, sweet, and powerful story.
My Evil Mother tells the tail of a young girl raised by an odd mother with puzzling tendencies. Over the course of the girl’s life, she tries to both move on from her peculiar childhood while also aiming to discover the truth about her mother.
This story was curious, engaging, and mysterious. The author didn’t skip a beat and jumped right into the plot. For being a little over 30 pages, the writing didn’t feel rushed or lacking depth. I almost wished it was a bit longer, but I liked how it the book had everything it needed to make it an interesting and fun short story.
The ending was clever. It gave you a sense of resolve while also leaving you to decide for yourself what was fact versus fiction. I liked that it left you pondering even after finishing it.
My Evil Mother tells the tail of a young girl raised by an odd mother with puzzling tendencies. Over the course of the girl’s life, she tries to both move on from her peculiar childhood while also aiming to discover the truth about her mother.
This story was curious, engaging, and mysterious. The author didn’t skip a beat and jumped right into the plot. For being a little over 30 pages, the writing didn’t feel rushed or lacking depth. I almost wished it was a bit longer, but I liked how it the book had everything it needed to make it an interesting and fun short story.
The ending was clever. It gave you a sense of resolve while also leaving you to decide for yourself what was fact versus fiction. I liked that it left you pondering even after finishing it.
October 24, 2023
Witchcraft, penis collection, superstitions vs. motherly love & protection...
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"You were such a sensitive child. So easily wounded. So I told you those things. I didn´t want you to feel defenseless in the face of life. Life can be harsh. I wanted you to feel protected, and to know that there was a greater power watching over you. That the Universe was taking a personal interest."
"The protector was her, the greater power was her, the Universe that took an interest was her as well; always her."
Writing these quotes brings tears to my eyes. I see that maternal love can move mountains, regardless of what others think of one. Expecting a baby, I feel my protective instinct growing exponentially and I am sure that my creativity will spill out of some divine source to come up with some stories to protect the little man wherever necessary.
A short-story that I devoured with great appetite.
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"You were such a sensitive child. So easily wounded. So I told you those things. I didn´t want you to feel defenseless in the face of life. Life can be harsh. I wanted you to feel protected, and to know that there was a greater power watching over you. That the Universe was taking a personal interest."
"The protector was her, the greater power was her, the Universe that took an interest was her as well; always her."
Writing these quotes brings tears to my eyes. I see that maternal love can move mountains, regardless of what others think of one. Expecting a baby, I feel my protective instinct growing exponentially and I am sure that my creativity will spill out of some divine source to come up with some stories to protect the little man wherever necessary.
A short-story that I devoured with great appetite.
March 22, 2023
Well, that was fun!
I really like Margret Atwood’s writing style.
I was intrigued the entire time. The story, although quick, made me ponder my relationship with my own mother. Makes me want to be a better daughter somehow.
The only reason I gave this story a 4 star is because of the abrupt ending. I feel story could have had one paragraph more to tie this up nice and neat.
One warning though - and this surprised me…the mention of certain male appendages was a little startling. I eventually decided to chalk it up to the storyline and dismiss it as a little odd, not taking off a star for that as normally would have.
I really like Margret Atwood’s writing style.
I was intrigued the entire time. The story, although quick, made me ponder my relationship with my own mother. Makes me want to be a better daughter somehow.
The only reason I gave this story a 4 star is because of the abrupt ending. I feel story could have had one paragraph more to tie this up nice and neat.
One warning though - and this surprised me…the mention of certain male appendages was a little startling. I eventually decided to chalk it up to the storyline and dismiss it as a little odd, not taking off a star for that as normally would have.
April 2, 2023
The witch spellbound me. Was it the author or the character I am talking about? I don't know. The story was engaging, witty, weird, and humorous on many points. I loved how the story circumspect around two perspectives, a mother's wit, and a teenage daughter's perspective. The story is well-written, and the characters are well developed.
In the end, what lies deep within the intent is our bewitching mother. She makes it her mission to protect her daughter from eternal damnation — under the disguise of a mother's love - and bring her daughter back to safety. Sometimes, I wonder if all mothers come with an intuition that is clairvoyance, enchanted, and knows precisely what will happen to their child; when they sniff something awry about their child's choices that may harm them?
Full Review 》www.inonesbook.com
In the end, what lies deep within the intent is our bewitching mother. She makes it her mission to protect her daughter from eternal damnation — under the disguise of a mother's love - and bring her daughter back to safety. Sometimes, I wonder if all mothers come with an intuition that is clairvoyance, enchanted, and knows precisely what will happen to their child; when they sniff something awry about their child's choices that may harm them?
Full Review 》www.inonesbook.com
April 11, 2022
3.5
A cute, quick Audible listen, free with Amazon Prime this month!
I will never look at a Garden Gnome the same way again!! 🌻🧙🏻♀️☺️
A cute, quick Audible listen, free with Amazon Prime this month!
I will never look at a Garden Gnome the same way again!! 🌻🧙🏻♀️☺️
March 10, 2023
I was so charmed by this story! 🧙🏼♀️🌙🔮
I decided on a whim to pick this up and I regret not reading this back in October! It had such spooky vibes, humor and the coolest ending ever!
What great lengths will a mother go to protect her offspring? Read this short story to find out! 💜📚
4.5 ⭐️ rounding up!
I decided on a whim to pick this up and I regret not reading this back in October! It had such spooky vibes, humor and the coolest ending ever!
What great lengths will a mother go to protect her offspring? Read this short story to find out! 💜📚
4.5 ⭐️ rounding up!
October 1, 2022
A witch’s tale for grown-ups.
Then, when he was exhausted, she stole his penis – she kept it in a cedar box with some other penises she’d stolen; she was feeding them grains of wheat
That is the usual method for tending to penises. Now, let me get something straight this engaging short story isn’t all about captive members. However, I did find this passage particularly striking, frightening even.
My Evil Mother: A Short Story – by Margaret Atwood is an instantly gratifying story about a fifteen-year-old girl and her relationship with her unusual mother. This poor girl is made fun of at school for having a strange mum, apparently she had an ”invisible but slightly alarming aura”. In fact, other parents would never leave their children under her care for fear of returning to find their infant in a roasting pan. According to the daughter – her mother “would never do such a thing. She was evil but not that evil.”
The father, who left the mother when the girl was a young child – now has another family. The mother used to tell her daughter she turned him into a garden gnome and sent the kid out the back to seek solace from this gnome when she was upset.
I believe Atwood was playing with the notion of fifteen-year-old girls thinking their mum is evil because of the way they may be a bit controlling, overly protective, constantly lecturing, always right. This girl does argue with her mother a lot. But the author does leave the door slightly ajar for us to wonder if in fact, the mother is a broom-riding witch. It’s made clear at the end; it is worth the short wait.
I did find one description particularly delicious – this one of the girl’s gym teacher who was a “Stringy woman with a chicken neck who was given to hectoring.” I have an inkling; this is one reflexive description you would not see on an on-line dating site. Hahahaha – loved it!
A fun and very clever short story. What else would one expect from Margaret Atwood?
4-Stars
Then, when he was exhausted, she stole his penis – she kept it in a cedar box with some other penises she’d stolen; she was feeding them grains of wheat
That is the usual method for tending to penises. Now, let me get something straight this engaging short story isn’t all about captive members. However, I did find this passage particularly striking, frightening even.
My Evil Mother: A Short Story – by Margaret Atwood is an instantly gratifying story about a fifteen-year-old girl and her relationship with her unusual mother. This poor girl is made fun of at school for having a strange mum, apparently she had an ”invisible but slightly alarming aura”. In fact, other parents would never leave their children under her care for fear of returning to find their infant in a roasting pan. According to the daughter – her mother “would never do such a thing. She was evil but not that evil.”
The father, who left the mother when the girl was a young child – now has another family. The mother used to tell her daughter she turned him into a garden gnome and sent the kid out the back to seek solace from this gnome when she was upset.
I believe Atwood was playing with the notion of fifteen-year-old girls thinking their mum is evil because of the way they may be a bit controlling, overly protective, constantly lecturing, always right. This girl does argue with her mother a lot. But the author does leave the door slightly ajar for us to wonder if in fact, the mother is a broom-riding witch. It’s made clear at the end; it is worth the short wait.
I did find one description particularly delicious – this one of the girl’s gym teacher who was a “Stringy woman with a chicken neck who was given to hectoring.” I have an inkling; this is one reflexive description you would not see on an on-line dating site. Hahahaha – loved it!
A fun and very clever short story. What else would one expect from Margaret Atwood?
4-Stars
May 8, 2022
The title just doesn’t seem like the right one to be reading on Mother’s Day, but it’s a perfect story, a little odd, but perfectly reflecting a mother’s love. Happy Mother’s Day!
April 27, 2022
Audiobook….read by Hillary Huber
…57 minutes
…Smartly jocular witty short story.
….Good housekeeping magazine-type-mid 50’s Mom….
….Peter Pan Collars…
….Tuna noodle casserole‘s
….apple pie
….The daughter wanted to be ‘liked’…
….The mother wanted to be ‘respected’…
….Narrated by the coming of age daughter …
….As for the boyfriend, Brian? poor guy! He never stood a chance!
….As for the father? ….oh vey!
Note:
Having recently enjoyed the series “Better Things” with Pamela Adlon…
…queen of Pop Culture….
messy working actress Mom & three daughters….dealing with the pangs of life …funny & profound …. (am already missing spending time with the cast)….
Margaret Atwood’s short story was a proxy surrogate.
Adorable and enjoyable!
…57 minutes
…Smartly jocular witty short story.
….Good housekeeping magazine-type-mid 50’s Mom….
….Peter Pan Collars…
….Tuna noodle casserole‘s
….apple pie
….The daughter wanted to be ‘liked’…
….The mother wanted to be ‘respected’…
….Narrated by the coming of age daughter …
….As for the boyfriend, Brian? poor guy! He never stood a chance!
….As for the father? ….oh vey!
Note:
Having recently enjoyed the series “Better Things” with Pamela Adlon…
…queen of Pop Culture….
messy working actress Mom & three daughters….dealing with the pangs of life …funny & profound …. (am already missing spending time with the cast)….
Margaret Atwood’s short story was a proxy surrogate.
Adorable and enjoyable!
April 15, 2022
This is a delightful gem of a short story. I am rarely a fan of short stories, but this seems complete with all attributes of a longer book, and I was completely engaged. Margaret Atwood's earliest books were my favourite at the time, but I drifted away when her books became futuristic. The Evil Mother, free on Amazon Prime, puts her novels back on my radar.
The narrator is a fifteen-year-old girl. She struggles to rebel against her mother's rules in typical teenage fashion. Her mother resembles most homemakers in the 1950s. She wears a shirtwaist dress with a peter pan collar, pearls, sensible shoes, and a flowered apron when working in the kitchen. Her mother busies herself grinding herbs and spices and preserving strange coloured concoctions in jars. The mother keeps her daughter strictly under control by claiming to cast spells, foretelling the future with tarot cards, and ending any teenage romance for the girl. Her daughter half-believes that her absent father was turned into a garden gnome, and the mother is capable of flying while fighting battles in the night's sky.
We follow the overly-protected girl through several stages in her life. She is torn between the possibility that her mother was a witch or insane. There is growing compassion on both sides and forgiveness. When the narrator becomes a wife and mother, a surprise ending shows that she has learned a valuable coping strategy during her upbringing. Recommended!
The narrator is a fifteen-year-old girl. She struggles to rebel against her mother's rules in typical teenage fashion. Her mother resembles most homemakers in the 1950s. She wears a shirtwaist dress with a peter pan collar, pearls, sensible shoes, and a flowered apron when working in the kitchen. Her mother busies herself grinding herbs and spices and preserving strange coloured concoctions in jars. The mother keeps her daughter strictly under control by claiming to cast spells, foretelling the future with tarot cards, and ending any teenage romance for the girl. Her daughter half-believes that her absent father was turned into a garden gnome, and the mother is capable of flying while fighting battles in the night's sky.
We follow the overly-protected girl through several stages in her life. She is torn between the possibility that her mother was a witch or insane. There is growing compassion on both sides and forgiveness. When the narrator becomes a wife and mother, a surprise ending shows that she has learned a valuable coping strategy during her upbringing. Recommended!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2023
In a Nutshell: It was okay, and didn’t wow me as much as it did many of my friends. Back to Outlier Island!
Story Synopsis:
On one hand, the positives:
✔ A few thought-provoking lines.
✔ Quick to read. Can be completed in under an hour.
✔ Interesting lead characters.
✔ Realistic mother-daughter dynamic.
✔ Good point about the circle of life.
✔ Had a couple of laughter-inducing scenes. (Garden Gnome was the best!)
On the other hand:
❌ Leaves too much left unsaid.
❌ Didn’t allow me to understand the characters though the writing is in first person. There are emotions narrated but the motivations behind them aren't much convincing.
❌ Feminism? Oh please!
❌ The ending doesn’t match the buildup. After all the ‘witchy” hoohah with references to the occult and tarot and the like, the resolution falls flat almost to the point of being idiotic.
❌ What was the point of this story? Mothers lying to their daughters (for most of their lives) is okay if this is done with their good interest in mind? Bleh!
I am a fan of short stories, but this one doesn’t offer satisfaction, especially at the end.
I’ve not yet read a full-length Atwood work to be her fan, but based on her short stories I have read so far, let’s just say that I am not yet a fan
This story seems to have been a big hit with most of my friends on Goodreads, but maybe I have read too many short stories by now to be thrilled with this average work. I have read better.
If you are looking for something sounding witchy, this is the short story for you. If you are looking for something actually witchy, stay far away.
2.5 stars. (I did an eeny-meeny to decide whether to round this up or down. 'Up' it is.)
This story is available to Amazon Prime subscribers for free. So recommended only to Prime subscribers if you want to utilise your subscription for a quick read by a well-known author. And to Margaret Atwood fans, of course.
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Story Synopsis:
Set in the 1950s, this story tells us of a young girl who believes that her mother is evil, possibly a witch. The mother loves her daughter and does all things for her child’s happiness, but the way in which she does these things is suspect. Moreover, there are myriad secretive consultations with the neighbours and spurious potions in the fridge, all adding to the question mark about the mother’s true identity. As life goes on, the daughter becomes more rebellious, and the mother becomes more mysterious. How will their journey come to a satisfying end?
The story is written in flashback from the girl’s point of view, so at the end, we see how life comes a full circle.
On one hand, the positives:
✔ A few thought-provoking lines.
✔ Quick to read. Can be completed in under an hour.
✔ Interesting lead characters.
✔ Realistic mother-daughter dynamic.
✔ Good point about the circle of life.
✔ Had a couple of laughter-inducing scenes. (Garden Gnome was the best!)
On the other hand:
❌ Leaves too much left unsaid.
❌ Didn’t allow me to understand the characters though the writing is in first person. There are emotions narrated but the motivations behind them aren't much convincing.
❌ Feminism? Oh please!
❌ The ending doesn’t match the buildup. After all the ‘witchy” hoohah with references to the occult and tarot and the like, the resolution falls flat almost to the point of being idiotic.
❌ What was the point of this story? Mothers lying to their daughters (for most of their lives) is okay if this is done with their good interest in mind? Bleh!
I am a fan of short stories, but this one doesn’t offer satisfaction, especially at the end.
I’ve not yet read a full-length Atwood work to be her fan, but based on her short stories I have read so far, let’s just say that I am not yet a fan
This story seems to have been a big hit with most of my friends on Goodreads, but maybe I have read too many short stories by now to be thrilled with this average work. I have read better.
If you are looking for something sounding witchy, this is the short story for you. If you are looking for something actually witchy, stay far away.
2.5 stars. (I did an eeny-meeny to decide whether to round this up or down. 'Up' it is.)
This story is available to Amazon Prime subscribers for free. So recommended only to Prime subscribers if you want to utilise your subscription for a quick read by a well-known author. And to Margaret Atwood fans, of course.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
April 2, 2022
A quick tale involving a mother's desire to protect her child against the world, and it's evil.
April 20, 2022
This began cynical and I feared it would continue that way. But this is, in fact, an incredibly moving tribute to motherly love, and to those parts of motherhood that we only begin to understand and appreciate when we, ourselves, become parents.
April 20, 2022
Evil can be wicked in the hands of mothers and tainted fairy godmothers. It certainly comes with the territory at times......
Margaret Atwood creates just the right brew with her mother/daughter exchange in My Evil Mother. We've all suspected that our mothers dabble in the dark arts now and then. They possess all kinds of uncanny talents for knowing our actions before they've even been conceived in the form of an air bubble in our heads. They just know......
Our young daughter opens the scene with wonderment about who her father is. Mom is clutching flawless pearls at her throat and smoothing down her starched shirtwaist dress. She beckons our girl to ask the plastic gnome by the doorstep for permission for ice cream. He's in there....she claims. Maturity will move this story in a different direction, but childhood memories still question Mom's sixth sense and leanings toward crushing strange herbs in her ancient looking mortal and pestle. Hmmmm.....
My Evil Mother is great fun by Margaret Atwood. You'll be sure to crack a smile while reading this one.
Margaret Atwood creates just the right brew with her mother/daughter exchange in My Evil Mother. We've all suspected that our mothers dabble in the dark arts now and then. They possess all kinds of uncanny talents for knowing our actions before they've even been conceived in the form of an air bubble in our heads. They just know......
Our young daughter opens the scene with wonderment about who her father is. Mom is clutching flawless pearls at her throat and smoothing down her starched shirtwaist dress. She beckons our girl to ask the plastic gnome by the doorstep for permission for ice cream. He's in there....she claims. Maturity will move this story in a different direction, but childhood memories still question Mom's sixth sense and leanings toward crushing strange herbs in her ancient looking mortal and pestle. Hmmmm.....
My Evil Mother is great fun by Margaret Atwood. You'll be sure to crack a smile while reading this one.
July 16, 2025
“You're so evil,” I said to my mother. I was fifteen, the talk-back age.
“I take that as a compliment,” she said. “Yes, I’m evil, as others might define that term. But I use my evil powers only for good.”
A sharp beautiful story on mother-daughter relationships, the things they tell themselves to cope with the world and how that helps even when they don't really believe it.
The character development was the best part of the story for me, spanning decades in just 30 pages. Atwood's writing is amazing and delves into the heart of the relationship, straightforward without being overly descriptive. A definite recommendation to fans or anyone on the lookout for mother - daughter short stories.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
[One star for the premise and the whole book; One star for the characters; One star for the writing; Half a star for the story; Half a star for the world-building - Four stars in total.]
“I take that as a compliment,” she said. “Yes, I’m evil, as others might define that term. But I use my evil powers only for good.”
A sharp beautiful story on mother-daughter relationships, the things they tell themselves to cope with the world and how that helps even when they don't really believe it.
The character development was the best part of the story for me, spanning decades in just 30 pages. Atwood's writing is amazing and delves into the heart of the relationship, straightforward without being overly descriptive. A definite recommendation to fans or anyone on the lookout for mother - daughter short stories.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
[One star for the premise and the whole book; One star for the characters; One star for the writing; Half a star for the story; Half a star for the world-building - Four stars in total.]
August 24, 2022
A short story for mothers and teenage daughters everywhere.
My Evil Mother is a short story set in 1950's Toronto told from the point of view of the daughter. Is her mother really a witch? Even worse is her father a garden gnome ? (Consigned there by his wife the witch of course).
A short but tremendously entertaining tale of growing up with a very protective mother. Who may or may not be a real witch. Loved it!
My Evil Mother is a short story set in 1950's Toronto told from the point of view of the daughter. Is her mother really a witch? Even worse is her father a garden gnome ? (Consigned there by his wife the witch of course).
A short but tremendously entertaining tale of growing up with a very protective mother. Who may or may not be a real witch. Loved it!
October 24, 2022
Clever and entertaining.
This is a touching mother/daughter story, that will keep you wondering what the truth really is. Read it on Kindle or listen to it on Audible, either way it's under an hour and engaging throughout. It's my first book by this author, and I really enjoyed her storytelling style.
Available on Kindle Unlimited with Whispersync narration by Audible.
Blog: LucyKnowsThings.com
This is a touching mother/daughter story, that will keep you wondering what the truth really is. Read it on Kindle or listen to it on Audible, either way it's under an hour and engaging throughout. It's my first book by this author, and I really enjoyed her storytelling style.
Available on Kindle Unlimited with Whispersync narration by Audible.
Blog: LucyKnowsThings.com
July 2, 2022
I didn't actually know it until earlier on today, but I really needed this unique little gem from Margaret Atwood, and I'm thrilled to say, she did not disappoint! Well, except for the small matter of the story being a couple of pages too short for me..
To be honest, I read the blurb, and I wasn't sure I'd like it, especially when I read it was about a witch. But admittedly, the witch (the mother) was actually the most intriguing character in this book, and she had many absorbing layers to peel.
The mother, is in fact hysterical, but that is totally not frowned upon when one has a daughter. You always need to be ten steps ahead, all of the time, and even then, sometimes that isn't enough. Atwood creates a slightly strained and complex but underneath-it-all a beautiful relationship between a mother and daughter.
To be honest, I read the blurb, and I wasn't sure I'd like it, especially when I read it was about a witch. But admittedly, the witch (the mother) was actually the most intriguing character in this book, and she had many absorbing layers to peel.
The mother, is in fact hysterical, but that is totally not frowned upon when one has a daughter. You always need to be ten steps ahead, all of the time, and even then, sometimes that isn't enough. Atwood creates a slightly strained and complex but underneath-it-all a beautiful relationship between a mother and daughter.
July 17, 2022
I read this after seeing many positive reviews recently. A lovely short story – packs a punch!
A young girl recounts her experience of being raised by an odd (evil) mother. Her mother considers herself to have psychic abilities and is constantly looking out for her. The girl does not remember her dad, and can only guess that he could not cope with her mother for long. Her relationships take a beating, and for long she cannot be sure how sound her mother’s advice is.
I liked how the story was written when the girl grows up to be a mother herself. A lot to take in from a story of ~30 pages.
My rating: 4.5 / 5.
A young girl recounts her experience of being raised by an odd (evil) mother. Her mother considers herself to have psychic abilities and is constantly looking out for her. The girl does not remember her dad, and can only guess that he could not cope with her mother for long. Her relationships take a beating, and for long she cannot be sure how sound her mother’s advice is.
I liked how the story was written when the girl grows up to be a mother herself. A lot to take in from a story of ~30 pages.
My rating: 4.5 / 5.
August 6, 2022
Yummy short story!
This fun short story made me think about my mother directing me to throw salt over my shoulder when I spilled salt. Roger. Done. No questions asked. Or when she told me not to cross my eyes or else they would stay that way (certainly put a damper on that idea!). The point is, we do what our mothers say—whether they’re spouting superstitions or scary, questionable “facts.” Sure, we might rebel, but in our heart we know they might be right. In this story, the mother is a witch, and she wields power over her 15-year-old daughter. The mother is a riot, the daughter is a typical teen—Atwood nails it.
(Meanwhile, I’m still back with the salt. Why throw salt if spilling it is so bad? It still ends up on the floor. So there’s good salt and bad salt? I don’t get it.)
Atwood writes with a twinkle in her eye. Check this story out!
This fun short story made me think about my mother directing me to throw salt over my shoulder when I spilled salt. Roger. Done. No questions asked. Or when she told me not to cross my eyes or else they would stay that way (certainly put a damper on that idea!). The point is, we do what our mothers say—whether they’re spouting superstitions or scary, questionable “facts.” Sure, we might rebel, but in our heart we know they might be right. In this story, the mother is a witch, and she wields power over her 15-year-old daughter. The mother is a riot, the daughter is a typical teen—Atwood nails it.
(Meanwhile, I’m still back with the salt. Why throw salt if spilling it is so bad? It still ends up on the floor. So there’s good salt and bad salt? I don’t get it.)
Atwood writes with a twinkle in her eye. Check this story out!
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